Madder Extract

Madder extract is the concentrated essence of Rubia tinctorum (madder) root, ready to dissolve and add to your dyebath. A little goes a long way: you can use 5 to 10 times less extract than the original dye material.

Quick facts

• Color: a wide range of reds, from orange-red, brick red and blood red to fiery reds
• Dosage: 3–10% WOF (weight of fiber)
• Form: concentrated extract, made by themazi in Turkey
• Sizes: 30 g (1 oz) and 60 g (2 oz)

Mordanting

Madder extract produces a vibrant red with an alum mordant. An aubergine purple can also be obtained by using iron as a mordant and then applying an alkaline modifier.

How to dye with madder extract

1. Use 3–10% WOF. A little extract can dye a lot.
2. Dissolve the extract in a small amount of warm water and add it to your dye pot.
3. For best results use pre-mordanted fibers.
4. Add the fibers to the dye solution and simmer for 30-60 minutes, depending on the shade you want.
5. Leave to cool.

Extract or root powder?

Why extracts? A little goes a long way. All colorants are extracted from the dyestuff in an environment-friendly way, so the extract takes much less space and keeps all dyeing properties. If you prefer to work with the ground root, see our madder root powder.

About madder

Madder (Rubia tinctorum) is a perennial plant with evergreen leaves and yellow flowers, cultivated for its long roots, from which the dye is made. The plants should be at least three years old before their roots, which contain the active compound alizarin, are harvested.

Buying madder extract in bulk

themazi manufactures madder extract in Turkey and sells it wholesale. The minimum order for wholesale madder extract is 50 kg. For wholesale inquiries and price offers, please contact us.

Read the guide: Madder troubleshooting: brown, not red?

Work out exact grams for your fabric with our free natural dye calculator and WOF chart.