Which Fabrics are Best for Dyeing?

Fabric Glossary: 21 Insights into Bridal Fabrics and Dyeing

Gown dyeing is both an art and science. Like many things in life, the answer to this question is: it depends. As there is finesse involved, and an element of imperfection typical of hand work arises, we created this guideline for the curious.

There are a few considerations:

Don't worry. Our dye experts will guide you through identifying your fabric and sharing our expectations in your complimentary consult. We never promise a result without your swatch test.

Dyeing Results by Fiber and Fabric Type

Hand holding sheer white nylon tulle fabric, ideal for custom wedding dress dyeing and design

Nylon Tulle 👍/ ✅

Soft English net, delicate bridal tulle. Most will achieve any color. Do not confuse with polyester tulle, which is not as optimal.

Nylon lace fabric for custom wedding dresses, dyeable for ombre or solid color effects.

Nylon Lace 👍/ ✅

Optimal and suitable for every color, including jewel tones and can achieve rich, jet black.

Cream poly/lycra fabric in jersey, satin, taffeta for custom bridal dyeing and wedding dress design

Poly/Lycra Blends 👍/ 🤷❓

Usually successful in reaching even vibrant tones, but will depend upon percentage of poly in blend.

Poly organza fabric swatch for custom wedding dress dyeing by Dye Lab

Polyester Organza 😬 / 👎

Lovely as a pastel or maybe midtone. Not a good candidate for jewel tones or black.

Poly tulle fabric for custom wedding dresses, soft white mesh texture by Dye Lab

Polyester Tulle 😬 / 👎

Will achieve pastel or maybe midtone. Not a good candidate for jewel tones or black.

Poly chiffon fabric swirled in soft white, ideal for custom bridal dyeing and ombre effects

Polyester Chiffon ⚠️

Success depends upon color goal. Some colors are more muted. Yellow-based tones tend to be ✅

Luxury polyester satin fabric for custom wedding dresses, soft sheen, elegant drape

Polyester Satin ⚠️/🤷❓

Satins are often treated with extra finishes to add gloss or body. Unfortunately, this can be like trying to dye something Scotchgarded. We don't know until we swatch test.

Silk organza fabric swatch for custom wedding dress dyeing by Dye Lab

Silk Organza 👍/ ✅

Silk takes color well; we just need to verify that it can withstand water without damage.

Poly crepe fabric swatch for custom wedding dress dyeing by Dye Lab

Polyester Crepe ⚠️/🤷❓

Thick, hydrophobic, neoprene-like varieties do not hold water evenly, therefore cannot dye evenly. Lightweight varieties are ✅

Silk tulle fabric swatch for custom wedding dresses, delicate and sheer texture shown by hand

Silk Tulle 👍/ ✅

Silk takes color well; we just need to verify that it can withstand water without damage.

White polyester lace fabric with intricate floral patterns, ideal for custom bridal gowns and dyeing projects.

Polyester Lace 😬 / 👎

Will achieve pastel or sometimes midtones. Not likely to reach jewel tones or black.

Polyester acetate taffeta fabric swirled for bridal dyeing, soft white texture by Dye Lab

Polyester or Acetate Taffeta ⚠️

With aggressive dye saturation AND time, it can reach rich tones when dyeing allover. Ombre projects are challenging to reach dark colors.

Clear beading for custom bridal dress embellishment, Dye Lab by Renegade

Embellishments ⚠️

Plastic and acrylic elements tend to tint. Glass and crystal will not color at all. Metal takes slight tint. Glued rhinestones may loosen in heated bath.

White wedding dress with horsehair trim, layered tulle skirt, Dye Lab by Renegade

Horsehair 😬 / 👎

Does not take color, which is often acceptable with clear horsehair. White may be best replaced with your tailor; we can order horsehair in many colors.

Intricate white floral embroidery on sheer fabric, perfect for custom bridal gowns and dye lab creations.

About Embroidery, Thread ⚠️

Embroidery and laces with poly thread may not reach darker tones. Metallic embroidery does tint subtly.

White lace wedding dress with floral embroidery on mannequin, Dye Lab by Renegade

Mixed Fiber Gowns ⚠️

Wedding dresses are often combined with multiple fiber elements. For instance, a corded lace may have the base embroidered applique in polyester, but the cord in nylon. The base underneath may dye better than the tulle lace is appliqued upon. These gowns will have multidimensional results.  We'll share our expectations for each of your specific project's fabrics in your consultation and then swatch test every one for you to clearly see before proceeding.

Overdyeing

We absolutely do not need a white dress as a base! So long as we can use additive color (red dress + blue overdye = purple result), this is a great way to liven up beloved garments. We'll help you review your color plan with fiber content details.

Poly mikado fabric for custom wedding dresses, smooth satin texture by Dye Lab

Poly Mikado 😬 / 👎

Takes on a really gorgeous metallic effect, but very resistant. Dyeing mikado black yields a silver result. Great for pastel to midtones, not a candidate for darker tones.

Hand holding shimmering glitter tulle fabric, perfect for custom bridal gowns and dye lab creations.

Glitter Tulle 👍/ ✅

Plastic-based glitters will tint well. Some shed is to be expected as heat loosens glue, but it's never a noticable amount. The base tulle result depends upon that fiber content.

Clear sequins texture for custom bridal dress dyeing by Dye Lab

Sequins, Sequin Tulle ⚠️

Transparency remains the same; clear sequins dyed blue become transparent blue. Opaque sequins have sometimes been resistant to dye entirely. The tulle backing's result depends upon that fiber content. Sequins do limit the amount of time we can have a garment in a heated bath.

Cotton lace fabric with floral pattern, ideal for custom bridal dresses and dyeing services.

Cotton Lace 👍/ ✅

Takes color easily. If only the cotton is being dyed, heat can be avoided and shrink will not be a concern.

Dyeing Considerations (Which We'll Help You Navigate)

Dyeing Factors Which Can Effect Alterations

We'll suggest a plan in your consult, but you can learn more here about likelihood of shrink or stretch.

Nerd Out

Identify Your Gown's Fiber and Fabric

To share our expectations for how your color goal and dress's capacity align, we need to know both.

Learn Some Lingo
Bride in ombre purple-to-blue lace wedding dress, beach sunset, custom bridal design

Shop GUARANTEED Color

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