If you’re interested in restoring the original color and richness of dried flowers, or if you plan to enhance their beauty by dyeing them, then this article is for you.
We’ll offer you some tips on how to dye dried flowers for resin. One method is using chlorine water, where you mix 1 kg of calcium chloride with 2 liters of water. Soak the dry plants in this solution for a few minutes, then rinse them with water and let them dry. For dyeing, you can use alcohol-based stains designed for wood in a 1:1 ratio, or colored solutions. Dried flowers can be either dipped or brushed with dye. If you choose the immersion method, which is more common, after dipping in the dye solution, let the excess dye drip off, rinse the flowers with water, and let them dry.
Another option is using various colored sprays for dried flowers. This method is more suitable for dyeing smaller quantities of flowers, mainly due to the higher cost of these sprays. This dyeing is typically done during the floral arrangement process. There are many plant-dye sprays available on the Czech market, and there is definitely a wide range to choose from. It’s also important to note that when working with sprays, it’s better to use protective gloves and ensure proper ventilation in the room where you’re working.
In most cases, plants are dyed after they have dried. However, some plants are very difficult to dye when dry, and in such cases, it’s better to dye them while they are fresh.
The dyeing bath is performed according to the types of dried flowers, either hot or cold. For example, strawflowers tolerate hot baths very well; on the other hand, immortelles do not handle higher temperatures well. Depending on the types of dyes, the dye baths can be used repeatedly or even stored.
It’s worth mentioning that sooner or later color instability may occur. It is said that some colors can wash out in the rain, which could even damage the base of the arranged flowers. An example of such a color might be stamp ink.
On flowers or plants with a waxy surface, color adheres very poorly, so it is necessary to treat the dyed material with a wetting agent solution before dyeing. This is usually any dishwashing detergent containing cleaning surfactants.
The following dyes are commonly used to prepare dyeing solutions:
- Balacryl paints
They are diluted with water in a 1:15 ratio. If a more intense shade is needed, the plants or flowers can be dipped in the dye multiple times. Individual colors can be mixed together to achieve the desired shade. These paints are commonly available in drugstores or paint and varnish stores.
- Aniline dyes
For this, a dye bath is created by mixing 100 grams of aniline dye with 5 liters of water, 1 tablespoon of acetic acid, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. During dyeing, the solution should be kept at boiling temperature. These dyes are available in stationery stores or office supplies stores.
- Stamp inks
A major advantage of these inks is their excellent coverage. However, a disadvantage is the very limited color range. They are diluted with water in a 1:5 ratio. Material dyed this way is not suitable for outdoor use, as colors can wash out, for example, in the rain.
Terno color tinting paints
These paints are diluted in a ratio of 1:5, depending on the desired shade. They can be purchased in drugstores, paint and varnish stores, or various hobby markets.
- Flowerpaint paints
This paint is noted for its ecological safety and can even be used in the food industry. The dye bath must be cold, but the dissolution occurs in warm water. This paint is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:1 to 1:2.
- Ostazin dyes
These dyes have excellent properties. The base solution is created by mixing 3 grams of powder dye, 7 grams of crystalline soda, and 1 liter of water. The bath should be at room temperature. If lighter shades are desired, the dye solution can be diluted further with water.
- Egacid or fish acid dyes
The advantage of these dyes is the ability to mix them to achieve interesting shades. The colors adhere best to flowers or plants in a slightly acidic environment. Therefore, it is recommended to add a bit of vinegar to the solution.
Occasionally, dried flowers may turn brown due to poor drying techniques or improper storage. Such flowers can still be salvaged by dyeing.
Watering live flowers into resin is not recommended as they contain water that can damage the resin. Dried flowers for resin are sold pre-dyed, so if you want to save yourself the trouble of dyeing them, you can purchase them from specialized resin crafting stores.
##PRODUCT-WIDGETS-33672##