Natural Indigo | Indigofera Tinctorum

Our indigo extract comes from India. It is the first product that we have listed that is not local to us. Before listing a new product, we make sure that it is a high-quality product by testing. You can see the results in the pictures.

Color effect: Blue.

Indigo- Indigofera Tinctorum comes from the leaves of a shrub-like plant that is native to the Indian subcontinent. Several species of indigo can be used to produce the dye, but Indigofera Tinctorum is considered to produce the best colors. Unlike other natural dyes, which can be extracted by soaking in water, the process for using indigo dye is more complex, and generally involves the creation of a reduction vat.  There are many ways to make these vats, using iron, henna, fruit sugars or fructose, and a strong alkali such as calcium hydroxide.  These are probably the easiest for the home dyer, although fermentation vats are a viable alternative, especially for people living in warm and hot climates.

Mordanting:

Indigo dye, as long as it requires reduction to adhere to the fabric, does not need a mordant. The molecular structure of indigo is such, that instead of forming a chemical bond (as the other natural dyes do with the metal salts and fibers) it forms a physical bond.

How to dye with indigo powder: 

First, scour the cloth or yarn then build your vat. Dip the cloth or yarn then oxidize the cloth or yarn. Give a final wash of the cloth or yarn.

Detailed instructions coming soon. In the meantime, you can read Jenny Dean’s blog about Michel Garcia’s fructose vat for indigo here. 

Buying weld indigo powder in bulk:

Themazi manufactures indigo powder in Turkey and you can purchase wholesale indigo powder from us. The MOQ for wholesale indigo is 50 kg. For wholesale inquiries and price offers please click here.