Valuable help in reproducing color combinations is found in keeping a record of the amounts and colors used, the weight or size of material dyed, and the length of time the goods is in the dye bath.
If commercial dyes are used, follow the directions given exactly as on the package.
“Top dyeing” means to dye over another color.
The material may be a light blue. Over this or on top of this, a green is dyed, giving a blue green result.
In dyeing one color over another the result naturally depends upon the strength of the first as well as upon that of the succeeding dyes. As yellow is nearest white in value, it is wise to dye yellow first if other colors are to be added. If the yellow is weak the other dyes will be very little affected by it as they are much stronger. If a strong yellow has been used first, the following modifications may be expected:
COLOR TABLE FOR TOP DYEING
- Orange over yellow will give orange yellow.
- Red over yellow will give red orange.
- Blue over yellow will give green.
- Green over yellow will give yellow green.
- Violet or magenta over yellow will give grey.
- Brown over yellow will give yellow brown.
- Black over yellow will give grey.
If a blue dye is to be used first, the following suggestions may help. Accordingly as the blue used is strong or weak, it will appear in the resulting combination strongly or weakly. The top dye used over it will equally of course count in the resulting combination according as it is strong or weak. Having these two points in mind we can say:
- Red over blue will give purple.
- Violet over blue will give blue violet.
- Green over blue will give blue green.
- Yellow over blue will give green.
- Brown over blue will give dark brown.
- Black over blue will give blue black.