Glossary of Dyeing Terms: The Ultimate Fabric Dyeing Dictionary

A

  • Acid Dyes - A class of dyes used primarily for protein-based fibers like wool and silk, requiring an acidic bath to set the color.
  • Affinity - The degree to which a dye molecule attaches to a fiber, influencing how well the fabric absorbs color.
  • Anionic Dyes - Negatively charged dyes, commonly used for dyeing natural fibers.
  • Auxiliaries - Chemicals added to a dye bath to improve dye uptake, evenness, and fastness.

B

  • Batch Dyeing - A method where fabrics or garments are dyed in small, controlled batches, commonly used for custom or specialty orders.
  • Bleeding - The undesired release of dye from fabric, usually occurring during washing and indicating poor fixation.
  • Binder - A substance used in pigment dyeing to help color adhere to fabric.
  • Blotch Printing - A printing technique where large areas of fabric are dyed while leaving certain sections uncolored.

C

  • Carrier Dyeing - A process using special chemicals (carriers) to help disperse dyes into synthetic fibers like polyester.
  • Cationic Dyes - Positively charged dyes used primarily for acrylic and other synthetic fibers.
  • Colorfastness - The resistance of a dyed fabric to fading or running due to washing, light exposure, or chemicals.
  • Cross-Dyeing - The process of dyeing a fabric made from multiple fiber types in different colors simultaneously.

D

  • Direct Dyes - Water-soluble dyes that bond directly to cellulosic fibers like cotton without requiring a mordant.
  • Discharge Printing - A technique where a bleaching agent removes color from specific areas of dyed fabric to create patterns.
  • Disperse Dyes - Synthetic dyes designed for non-water-soluble fibers such as polyester and acetate.

E

  • Exhaustion - The percentage of dye that transfers from the dye bath to the fabric, indicating efficiency.
  • Electrostatic Dyeing - A process where an electric charge is used to attract dye molecules to synthetic fibers.

F

  • Fixation - The process of chemically bonding dye to fiber to prevent color bleeding and improve wash fastness.
  • Florescent Brighteners - Agents that enhance the whiteness and brightness of fabric by absorbing UV light.

G

  • Garment Dyeing - The practice of dyeing finished garments rather than raw fabric, often used for vintage or soft-washed looks.
  • Gradient Dyeing - A technique where fabric transitions gradually from one shade to another.

H

  • Heat Setting - The use of high temperatures to lock in dye, commonly applied to synthetic fibers.
  • Hygroscopicity - The ability of a fiber to absorb and retain moisture, affecting dye penetration.

I

  • Ikat Dyeing - A resist-dyeing technique where yarns are bound and dyed before weaving to create intricate patterns.
  • Immersion Dyeing - A method where fabric is fully submerged in a dye bath for even coloration.

J

  • Jet Dyeing - A high-speed dyeing method where fabric is continuously circulated in a jet of dye liquor.

K

  • Knit Dyeing - The specialized dyeing process for knitted fabrics, requiring careful handling to prevent distortion.

L

  • Lab Dips - Small test samples dyed in a lab setting to ensure accurate color matching before bulk production.
  • Lightfastness - The ability of a dyed fabric to resist fading when exposed to sunlight or artificial lighting.

M

  • Mordant - A chemical agent that helps dyes bond more effectively to fabric, commonly used in natural dyeing.
  • Mercerization - A treatment process that enhances the luster, strength, and dye receptivity of cotton fibers.

N

  • Natural Dyes - Pigments derived from plants, insects, and minerals, used for eco-friendly dyeing.
  • Neutralization - The process of balancing pH levels in dyed fabric to stabilize color.

O

  • Overdyeing - Applying dye over a previously dyed fabric to modify or deepen the color.
  • Optical Brighteners - Chemicals added to white fabrics to make them appear brighter under UV light.

P

  • Pigment Dyeing - A surface dyeing process where pigments are bonded to fabric with binders instead of being absorbed.
  • Pad Batch Dyeing - A method where fabric is padded with dye and left to react over time, ideal for reactive dyes.

Q

  • Quenching - A process used to stop dye reactions and cool fabrics after heat setting.

R

  • Reactive Dyes - Dyes that form a strong chemical bond with fiber, providing excellent wash and light fastness.
  • Resist Dyeing - Techniques like batik or tie-dye where parts of fabric are shielded from dye to create patterns.

S

  • Shade Matching - The process of adjusting dye formulations to achieve an exact color match.
  • Skein Dyeing - A method used for dyeing yarns in loose form before weaving or knitting.

T

  • Tie-Dye - A resist-dyeing method where fabric is tied, twisted, or bound before dyeing to create unique patterns.
  • Top Dyeing - A process where fiber is dyed before being spun into yarn, used for heathered fabric effects.

U

  • Under-Dyeing - A dyeing technique where a base color is applied before another layer of dye to achieve depth.

V

  • Vat Dyes - Insoluble dyes that require reduction before bonding to fiber, known for their high fastness properties.
  • Viscose Dyeing - The specific process of dyeing viscose rayon fibers, requiring careful pH and temperature control.

W

  • Wet Fastness - The resistance of dyed fabric to bleeding when exposed to water or perspiration.
  • Wash Down Effect - The gradual fading of dye after multiple washes, often seen in vintage or garment-dyed pieces.

X

  • Xenon Arc Testing - A laboratory test used to assess a fabric’s resistance to light exposure and color fading.

Y

  • Yarn Dyeing - The process of dyeing yarns before they are woven or knitted into fabric.

Z

  • Zero Discharge Dyeing - A sustainable dyeing approach aimed at eliminating water pollution through closed-loop systems.