Natural Tannins

Tannins are plant compounds that help natural dyes bond to cellulose fibers and create browns, greys and blacks with iron. They are an essential step when dyeing cotton and linen. We offer white oak gall powder, green oak gall powder, whole white and green oak galls, sumac leaf powder, acorn tannin extract, red pine bark extract and pomegranate peel powder.

Clear tannins and colored tannins

Clear tannins such as white oak gall and sumac add little color, so they are ideal as a base before bright dyes like madder or weld. Colored tannins such as acorn, red pine bark and pomegranate add their own tan, pink-brown or golden tone and are dyes in their own right.

How to use tannins

For cotton and linen, scour the fabric, soak it in a tannin bath (typically 8–10% of the dry fiber weight), then mordant with alum. Dipping tannin-treated fabric in a weak iron bath gives soft greys to deep black. Oak galls are also the classic base for oak gall (iron gall) ink.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need tannin for wool and silk?

No. Protein fibers bond with alum alone; tannins are mainly used for cotton, linen, hemp and other plant fibers.

Which tannin should I choose?

Choose white oak gall or sumac for the brightest colors afterwards, and acorn, pine bark or pomegranate when you want warm base tones or browns.

Can tannins be used for ink?

Yes. Oak galls combined with iron make traditional iron gall ink, and gum arabic thickens it for writing.

Explore more: Brown & Black Dyes · Mordants & Assists

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