Natural Dyeing Paper {a Tutorial}

Turn your handmade paper into something special with this tutorial on natural dyeing paper.
Tools and materials:
- Paper dipping kit: www.dickblick.com/items/arnol...
- Rubber brayer: www.dickblick.com/items/speed...
Papermaking playlist: • Get Started with Handm...
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Recommended Playlists:
Natural Dyeing:
• How to Ice Dye
Basket Weaving:
• Hand Weaving Baskets: ...
Wet Felting:
• Wet felting for ABSOLU...
Surface Design:
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[@maramakesjournals2319]

Fabulous! Thank you!💕

[@TextileIndie]

You are so welcome!

[@Xuniv-PF]

Love it❣What is color retention over time?

[@TextileIndie]

Great question! Color retention refers to how long a natural dye will stay in a fiber. Over time natural dyes may fade due to light exposure, multiple washings or other impact.

[@Xuniv-PF]

Whoops miss type🤣, i meant to ask how long

[@rogero8900]

Aloha, I made some really nice pinkish paper today dyed with beet juice. I did bring the beet juice to a simmer before filtering it and then refrigerating it over night. As the paper is drying I'm finding that all of the pink is disappearing. I had flecks of bougainvillea (pink) that I had dried and shredded in it as well for a splash. Sadly I think I'm going to end up with off white paper with some greenish flecks (bougainvillea). Do you have any idea what might have happened? Is it a PH thing?
I used recycled cover and paper stock. No toner or inks on them. Made pulp in the blender and it sat in the fridge for a few days until I was ready. Heard it can get funky if left too long. Today, I mixed up. the pulp and fresh water with the beet juice.
Mahalo in advance!
Roger O.

[@TextileIndie]

My pink paper ended up with tiny speckles too. It's the nature of natural dyeing - some materials produce a more vibrant longer lasting color than others. There are chemical fixatives that will help fiber hold color - but I usually don't use them for natural dye projects - because natural😁- and yes pulp will start to "ferment" especially if there's food or plants involved. When I make paper I just go into it with a spirit of experimentation and don't have my heart set on a specific result. I hope you keep playing with it. If you come up with a great technique definitely share! You have a much different spectrum of materials available in the islands than I do in the Pacific Northwest. It would be fun to exchange notes!

[@kellybowman5487]

Dumb question: The fruit has natural sugar. Does the paper attract bugs?

[@TextileIndie]

That’s a good question! I have not had that problem myself. I think due to the fact that it dries thoroughly it does not.

[@Danielle-nz9tn]

Why would you worry about using the same blender for the kitchen as long as you are thoroughly washing it in between, if you’re using natural products? Is anything you are using is toxic?

[@TextileIndie]

I try to keep my craft tools and cooking tools separate just out of principle. Sometimes I use synthetic dyes - and many natural dyes come from plants that are not fit for humans. Even with washing plant oils and resins can cling.