Are there available natural dye powders that we can purchase and how much per gram?
We produce natural dye powders for r&d purpose and on a per-order basis. Currently, our partner communities in Abra and Occidental Mindoro has the capability of producing natural indigo dye powder which they sell commercially.
Here are their contact details:
1) Namarabar Indigo Natural Dye Producers Cooperative (Abra)
c/o Mr. Luis Agaid, Jr.
+632 935 540 80 89
2) Alangan Occidental Pangwat Bakwaw (Mangyan tribe in Mindoro)
c/o Non-timber Forest Products-Exchange Programme
92 A Masikap Ext. St. Brgy. Central, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila
(02) 545 83 40
Where can I buy auxiliary chemicals for dyeing?
Auxiliary chemicals such as mineral mordants and chemicals for fiber/yarn/fabric pretreatment can be bought from local chemical suppliers.
Can we extract colors from “specific dye source” for textile dyeing?
The Institute have extracted dyes from more than 100 plant dye sources. You can refer to the book Gampol Vol 1 and 2 for the plant sources and corresponding colors using the dye-yielding plants.
For new natural dye sources, we can study and extract dyes from the plant source for dyeing and evaluate its performance as textile dye in terms of colorfastness. This engagement falls under Contract Research.
Contract Research refers to a research and development work of interest to the contracting party whose funding can either partially or fully funded by the Other Contracting Party.
Can I use natural dyes in polyester/synthetic materials?
Natural dyes is for natural fibers/fabrics. You can use natural dyes only on almost all natural fibres (cotton, indigenous blended fabrics, wool, silk, hemp, etc.).
Do you conduct color matching for natural dyeing?
Yes, we provide help in color matching and also provide methods of making individual shades and combination of shades with natural dyes.
How do I care for my naturally dyed fabrics?
Proper care must be done with naturally dyed fabrics. The fabrics must be stored/placed away from direct sunlight. Use of detergent without bleach is recommended to minimize fading of naturally dyed fabric.
Will the natural dyed fabrics color fade?
When dyeing naturally, without using any chemical fixing agent, colour will fade overtime. PTRI has established natural dye technology using dye-yielding plants that perform comparably to synthetic dyes in washing and lightfast tests. Although the colors produced using natural dyes are not as bright as that of synthetic dyes, is subdued color character is part of its beauty and distinguish is from synthetic colors.
I have no experience of natural dyeing or silkscreen printing, can I still take the dyeing and silkscreen printing training course?
Yes. PTRI offers training courses on natural dyes technology that includes extraction, dyeing application and silkscreen printing.
For further inquiries and scheduling, please contact our Technology Transfer, Information and Promotion Staff at 837 1338 or 837 2071 local 2361.
Do you have swatches for the developed natural dye colors?
Yes. You can visit the Institute to view the swatches or you may visit www.philippinetextiles.com.
Are natural dye safe?
Generally, natural dyes are non-toxic, but they are not edible. Proper handling of natural dyes such as use of gloves, mask and apron must still be observed by the user to avoid irritation.
What about color repeatability?
Natural dyes are derived from plants and follow nature’s variations. However, it is possible to minimize color variations by following the developed optimum dyeing conditions.
