We often get requests from our clients for fabric to be custom dyed to a colour of their choosing, or custom printed to their designs. We thought it would be a good idea to explain the process behind these two services that we offer.

First of all, you will provide a pantone reference for the colour you are trying to achieve. This tells the printer or dyer the colours they need to mix together, and in what proportions, to get the fabric to the colour you would like. Sometimes these colours look different when applied to fabric, so a little swatch of the fabric will be sent out for your approval.

When you are custom dyeing fabric, you will be provided with ‘lab dips’, which are samples of the fabric dyed to your requested colour.

When you are custom printing fabric, you’ll be given ‘pull downs’, which are samples of the colour you have requested printed onto your chosen fabric.

When you receive the samples, you will either approve them, or make comments on whether you would like the colour to be warmer, colder, darker, lighter, etc. The printer or dyer can then make slight changes to the mix to create variations in the colour.

Once you have approved your colour, for custom dyeing you get your fabric ordered! Custom dyed fabric usually comes with higher minimums, for example a minimum of 2 rolls.

For custom printing, once you have approved the colour, you will get ‘strike offs’ made. These are sample pieces of fabric with your design printed in the approved custom colour.