The tie-dye color mixing guide shows which fiber reactive dye colors combine to make other colors, and how much dye powder to use per squirt bottle. Accurate mixing produces consistent, vibrant results every time.
Color Mixer
Select two colors to see the resulting mix
Dye Solution Strength Calculator
How much dye powder per squirt bottle
Fiber Reactive Dye Color Mixing Chart
| Color 1 | Color 2 | Result | Ratio (1:2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red | Yellow | Orange | 1:1 |
| Red | Blue | Purple | 1:1 |
| Yellow | Blue | Green | 1:1 |
| Cyan | Yellow | Lime green | 1:1 |
| Magenta | Cyan | Blue-violet | 1:1 |
| Red | Yellow | Deep orange | 2:1 |
| Blue | Black | Navy blue | 3:1 |
| Red | Black | Burgundy | 3:1 |
How to Use the Tie-Dye Color Mixing Guide
The tie-dye color mixing guide covers two aspects of tie-dye: mixing primary colors to create secondary colors, and calculating dye powder amounts for squirt bottles. Both are important for consistent, professional-quality results.
Step 1: Mix colors correctly for fiber reactive dye
Fiber reactive dyes (Procion MX type) follow subtractive color mixing — similar to traditional paint. Red + yellow = orange, blue + yellow = green, red + blue = purple. However, because different dyes have different chemical affinity for fiber, the practical results can shift. Cyan (turquoise) + yellow gives a brighter green than blue + yellow. Experiment with small test samples first.
Step 2: Calculate dye powder for your bottles
The dye solution strength is expressed as a percentage of weight on fiber (owf). For a standard squirt bottle, use 2% solution: approximately 1 tsp of dye powder per 8 oz (236 mL) of water. For deeper colors (navy, black, deep red), use 4–8% — that's 2–4 tsp per 8 oz. Always dissolve powder in a small amount of warm water before adding to the full volume.
Step 3: Prepare fabric correctly
Tie-dye with fiber reactive dyes requires soda ash pre-soak (sodium carbonate) to fix the dye chemically. Soak washed, damp fabric in soda ash solution (1 cup per gallon of water) for 15–30 minutes, wring out, then apply dye. Work quickly — soda ash starts the chemical reaction immediately. Let dyed fabric cure for 12–24 hours wrapped in plastic before rinsing.
FAQ
Is this tie dye color mixing guide free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required. The full color chart and mixing guide are available instantly.
Is my data safe and private?
Yes. This is a reference tool. Everything runs in your browser with no data collection.
What two colors make orange in tie dye?
Red + yellow fiber reactive dye creates orange. The ratio determines the orange shade: more red = red-orange, more yellow = yellow-orange. For true orange, mix approximately equal parts red and yellow. Use procion MX dyes (Dharma) for the most vibrant results.
What colors do blue and yellow make in tie dye?
Blue + yellow fiber reactive dye makes green. The ratio determines the shade: more blue = dark/teal green, more yellow = lime/bright green. Turquoise + yellow makes a true bright green. Navy blue + yellow makes olive or muddy green. For the cleanest greens, use Turquoise (not Navy) with yellow.
Why are my tie dye colors muddy?
Muddy colors happen from: (1) mixing too many colors in one spot — overlapping dyes on fabric neutralize each other; (2) using complementary colors (red+green, blue+orange, yellow+purple) that cancel out to brown; (3) under-prepared fabric (skip the soda ash soak); (4) washing too soon before the dye has fixed (24–48 hour cure time needed).
Do I need to use soda ash for fiber reactive dye?
Yes. Soda ash (sodium carbonate) raises the pH of the fiber and chemically bonds the dye to cellulose fibers (cotton, rayon, linen). Without soda ash, fiber reactive dyes wash out quickly. Pre-soak fabric for 15–20 minutes in a soda ash solution (1 cup per gallon of water) before applying dye.