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Fabric dye calculator

Dyeing is specified by depth of shade: dye weight as a percentage of the dry fabric weight. The water is just the carrier.

% of fabric weight
: 1
g/L
g/L
Dye powder
10.00g
= Exact Dye quantity
Water
10.00
Salt
500
Soda ash
100.0
Dye concentration
1.000 g/L
Total bath weight
10 610
Show the working
  1. Dry fabric weight = 500
  2. Depth of shade = 2
  3. Liquor ratio = 20
  4. Salt = 50
  5. Soda ash = 10
  6. Dye powder = 500 * 2/100 = 10
  7. Water = 500 * 20 / 1000 = 10
  8. Salt = 10 * 50 = 500
  9. Soda ash = 10 * 10 = 100
  10. Dye concentration = 10 > 0 ? 10 / 10 : 0 = 1
  11. Total bath weight = 10 * 1000 + 10 + 500 + 100 = 10 610

Values are shown to six significant figures here; the arithmetic itself runs on exact fractions and is only rounded where a number is printed.

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    The formula

    • dye = fabric weight x depth of shade
    • water = fabric weight x liquor ratio

    A 1% depth of shade is a medium colour on cotton; 4% or more is needed for a true black.

    Salt drives the dye onto the fibre and soda ash fixes it. Add the soda last, after the dye has levelled.

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