What is Tie Dye?

Tie dyeing is a vibrant art form that involves folding, twisting, or tying fabric and then applying dye to create beautiful and colorful patterns. This ancient technique has been passed down for centuries, originating in diverse cultures like Japan, India, and Africa. Tie dyeing adds a personal touch to your clothing and helps you express your own style. Whether you prefer bold and bright colors or subtle and muted tones, tie dyeing is a versatile and fun way to create wearable art.

Tie Dye Patterns and Tie Dye Techniques

Tie dyeing isn’t just limited to one style or tie dye technique. There are numerous different tie dye patterns you can experiment with while creating different patterns and effects. Some popular types of tie dye techniques include:
? Spiral: The spiral tie dye technique involves twisting the fabric from the center and wrapping it in a circular pattern, creating a beautiful spiral pattern that radiates outwards from the center of the fabric.
? Crumple: This technique is perfect for creating a more abstract and organic look. Simply crumple up the fabric and then apply dye randomly to create a unique and textured pattern.
? Shibori: Shibori is a Japanese tie dye technique that involves folding, twisting, or binding the fabric before dyeing. It creates intricate and repetitive patterns, often resembling the texture of water or waves.
? Ombre: Ombre tie dye is all about creating a gradient effect. Start by dyeing the fabric a light shade, and then gradually dip it into a dye bath in darker shades of the same color. The Ombre technique is perfect for creating a subtle and sophisticated look.
? Dip Dye: Dip dyeing is a simple yet effective technique. Simply dip the fabric into a dye bath, either partially or fully, to create a gradient effect. This technique allows more control over the color distribution and creates beautiful transitions between different hues.

Best Dye for Tie Dying

When tie dying t-shirts, using the best dye is key to achieving vibrant and long-lasting results. A tie dye t-shirt and kit are great options for beginners, as they usually come with all the necessary materials and instructions. Look for a kit that offers a liquid or powdered dye mixture and a variety of dye colors so that you can unleash your creativity and experiment with different combinations. Opt for fiber-reactive dyes that bond well with the fabric and provide vibrant colors that won’t fade easily.

Step-by-Step Guide to Tie Dying Clothing

Ready to start your tie dye project? From preparing your fabric to rinsing and wearing your newly tie dyed creation, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of tie dying clothing and help you create your own unique and vibrant designs.

1. Gather tie dye supplies

Before diving into the exciting world of tie dyeing, ensure you have all the necessary supplies. You’ll need a plain t-shirt or fabric, liquid dye or dye powder, rubber bands, plastic squeeze bottles or spray bottles for the dye, protective gloves, and plastic wrap or plastic bags to let the dye set. If you’re using a tie dye kit, it usually includes all of these supplies, making it convenient for beginners. Gather everything you need in one place so you’re ready to start creating your unique tie dye designs.

2. Mix the dye

Now that you have gathered all your supplies, it’s time to mix your dye and get creative! Start by preparing your dye according to the instructions on the package. This usually involves mixing a dye powder or liquid dye with water or a dye fixative. Make sure to wear protective gloves to avoid staining your hands. Once your dye is mixed, transfer it into plastic squeeze bottles or spray bottles for easy application.

3. Apply the dye

Now, it’s time to let your creativity shine! Take your squeeze bottles or spray bottles filled with your beautifully mixed dye and start applying it to your fabric. Use the rubber bands to create different sections or patterns on your fabric, and then apply the dye to each section. Get as creative as you want with your tie dye pattern — drip, splatter, or use stencils for a more intricate look. Be sure to cover all areas with the dye, but be mindful of not adding excess dye to avoid muddying the colors.

4. Rinse, wash, and wear your tie dye shirts

After patiently waiting for the dye to set, it’s finally time to rinse, wash, and wear your tie dye creation! Rinse your fabric thoroughly under cold water to remove any excess dye. Avoid using warm water to rinse, as that can cause the colors to bleed. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear. Once rinsed, wash your tie dye separately in the washing machine using a mild detergent. This will help remove any remaining dye and ensure your colors stay vibrant. After washing, let your tie dye dry completely before proudly showing off your unique and colorful creation to the world.

How to Tie Dye Shirts – Frequently Asked Questions

What Other Items Can You Tie Dye?

When it comes to tie dyeing, there are a variety of items that you can dye and experiment with. While t-shirts are the most popular choice, don’t limit yourself to just clothing! You can also learn how to tie dye socks, pillowcases, bandanas, or even canvas shoes. The key is to choose items made of natural fibers like cotton, as they absorb the dye the best.

How Do You Tie Dye a Rainbow Spiral Shape?

To tie dye a rainbow spiral shape, start by laying your t-shirt flat and pinching the center of the fabric. Twist the fabric in a clockwise direction, creating a spiral shape. Use rubber bands to secure the fabric in place, making sure to create sections of rubber bands for each color of the rainbow. Apply your dye colors to each section of the fabric, starting from the center and working your way outward. Let the dye set according to the instructions, remove the rubber bands, rinse, and reveal your vibrant rainbow tie dye spiral design!

How Do You Wash Tie Dye and Stop It Fading?

To properly care for your tie dye shirt and prevent fading, follow a few simple steps. Start by turning the shirt inside out before washing it to protect the vibrant colors. Use cold water and a mild detergent to gently clean the fabric. Avoid using bleach or harsh chemicals, as they can strip the dye. When it comes to drying the dyed fabric, opt for air drying or using a low heat setting on the dryer. Avoid exposing your tie dye shirt to direct sunlight for long periods, which can cause fading.

Buy Pre-Dyed Tie Dye Shirts From The Adair Group

Looking for pre-dyed tie dye shirts to add to your collection? Look no further than The Adair Group! With a wide range of vibrant and unique designs, you’re sure to find tie dye shirts to suit your style. Our pre-dyed shirts are made with high-quality materials and expertly dyed to ensure long-lasting colors that won’t fade. Whether you’re looking for white shirts with a classic spiral design or a bold and colorful pattern, The Adair Group has you covered with tie dye t-shirts for adults and tie dye t-shirts for kids.

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Tie-dye is a fun and easy way to add color and pattern to fabric. You can tie dye almost any kind of fabric, from T-shirts to bed sheets, and the results are always unique.

While tie-dye patterns can seem complicated, most are quite easy to achieve. With a little practice and lots of 1-dollar T-shirts, you’ll be able to tie-dye anything in any color scheme you can imagine. Here are 11 exciting tie-dye patterns and how to perfect them!

1. Single Spiral

The single spiral is the most classic tie-dye pattern. You can distinguish it by its single, continuous spiral of color. To achieve this tie-dye pattern, start by folding your fabric into a tight coil. Then, tie a piece of string around the center of the coil to secure it. Dip your fabric into a bucket of dye, making sure to saturate it completely. When you rinse and unfold your fabric, you should see a single spiral of color.

2. Bullseye

To tie dye a bullseye pattern, lay your fabric on a flat surface and pinch it at the center, gathering the fabric into a thin cone shape. Then, place rubber bands around the cone, spacing them evenly apart. The number of rubber bands to use will depend on how many circles you want in your design.

Then, take each section of fabric between the rubber bands and apply a different color of dye. After letting each section sit in the dye, squeeze the rubber bands to allow the colors to blend slightly. Rinse the fabric in cold water and remove the rubber bands. You should now see a series of colorful circles.

3. Crumple

Also known as the “scrunch” or “nebula,” the crumple tie-dye pattern is created by – you guessed it – crumpling your fabric. This is a great technique for beginners because it’s very forgiving; you don’t have to be precise in your folding to achieve good results. It’s also very versatile as you can create it using anything from bucket hats to backpacks to our simple white T-shirts for tie-dye.

To achieve a crumple pattern, start by scrunching up the fabric into a loose ball and applying rubber bands at random intervals. Then, dye the fabric according to your desired color scheme. You don’t need to be precise with the dye – just make sure that each section is saturated with some type of color. Once the fabric has been dyed, rinse it and remove the rubber bands. 

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4. Stripes

This tie-dye pattern is a simple but effective design. There are numerous variations of the pattern as the stripes can be diagonal, horizontal or vertical. To tie dye stripes, start by creating a series of accordion folds in the fabric. The folds should be alternated so that each one is pointing in the opposite direction. Be sure to fold the fabric in the direction you want the stripes to go.

After the fabric is folded, tie rubber bands around it to secure its shape, spacing them one to two inches apart. The number of stripes you end up with will depend on how many rubber bands you use.

Begin applying the dye, starting with the lightest color. Work your way from the outside of the fabric towards the center, applying a different color to each section between the rubber bands. Allow the dye to sit for a while before rinsing it out in cold water.

5. Box Folds

The box tie-dye pattern is achieved by folding the fabric into a series of small squares. This is another design that is excellent for beginners because it’s very easy to achieve precise folds.

To set up your box pattern, start by laying the fabric flat, then fold it lengthwise into accordion folds, moving left to right. Create sharp creases in the fabric by firmly pressing the edges of the folds. Next, apply this same folding technique widthwise, making sure that each fold matches the size of the lengthwise folds. When you are done folding, you should have a square-shaped bundle of fabric.

Before you begin applying the dye, place the square bundle between two square-shaped pieces of cardboard and wrap rubber bands around the edges to secure it. This will help keep your folds in place while you’re working.

You have two options for dying the bundle of fabric: dipping it into the dye or squeezing the dye onto the edges. Either way, you’ll want to make sure the fabric is thoroughly saturated. Once the tie dye is complete, rinse and remove the cardboard. You should see a series of squares with sharp, clean edges.

6. Mandala

The mandala, also known as the kaleidoscope, is one of the most intricate and beautiful tie-dye designs. And although it’s a bit more advanced than some of the other designs listed here, it’s fairly easy to master once you’ve had a little practice. Just be sure to stock up on some wholesale shirts so you can try again if needed!

To tie dye a mandala, start by folding your fabric into a wedge shape. This is done by folding it in half lengthwise and again widthwise. You’ll then need to fold it diagonally. Fold it diagonally once more before securing the shape with rubber bands. The placement of the rubber bands should depend on where you want each color to be and the desired size of each ring of color.

Once the fabric is folded, begin applying your dye. You can use as many colors as you want, but it’s best to stick with three or four. Work your way from the outside of the fabric towards the center, applying a different color to each section between the rubber bands. Be sure to flip the fabric over so that you can apply dye to the underside as well.

Allow the tie-dye to sit before rinsing it out in water. Removing the rubber bands should reveal a pattern that resembles a flower or a star.

7. Rainbow Spiral

The rainbow spiral tie dye is one of the most popular patterns, and it’s not hard to see why. This design is bright, colorful and eye-catching. It’s also a great choice for beginners. And unlike most other patterns, the rainbow spiral is easy to achieve using thicker fabrics, such as our wholesale hoodies.

To achieve this pattern, lay your fabric on a flat surface and place your hand in the center before firmly twisting in a clockwise motion. As you twist, the fabric will begin to bunch up and form a spiral. Once the fabric is tightly spiraled, use rubber bands to secure it in place. The resulting bundle of fabric should be shaped like an irregular circle.

Now you’re ready to start applying the dye. Starting with the lightest color, apply each color to a uniform section of the fabric bundle. Flip the bundle over and apply the dye to the same sections of the underside. Once you’re finished, you should see a beautiful spiral pattern with each color clearly defined.

8. Zig-Zag

The zig-zag tie-dye pattern requires a fair bit of precision, but it’s definitely worth the effort. To achieve this design, start by folding your fabric lengthwise into at least three equal sections. Then, create a series of small diagonal accordion pleats, making sure that each fold is about the same width.

Once you’re finished folding, secure the fabric tightly with rubber bands, spacing them evenly along the length of the fabric. Using three to six colors, apply each color of dye to a different section of the fabric bundle between the rubber bands. Be sure to alternate the colors to create a uniform pattern. After rinsing the dye, you should see a series of large zig-zag lines running down the length of the fabric.

9. Sunburst

The sunburst pattern is an intricate design characterized by a series of rays emanating from a central point. To begin, fold your fabric in half lengthwise. Then, grab a small piece of fabric from the center of the folded side and gather both the top and bottom portions around it to form a cone-like shape.

As you create the cone shape, be sure to make small folds in the fabric to create a ruffled effect. Once you’re happy with the shape, tie the fabric securely with rubber bands across the length of the cone. Each one should be spaced relatively even, with about two inches between each band.

Now it’s time for the dye. You can choose from a variety of color schemes, but this pattern is a particularly great option for a monochromatic look. To achieve this, choose at least four shades of the same color. Starting with the lightest color, apply each shade of dye to a different section of the fabric cone. Alternate the colors as you work your way down the cone to create a gradient effect. Then, apply the darkest shade vertically in a band-like fashion between each color section.

Flip the fabric over, and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the dye to bleed through to the underside. Once the colors have bled through, take the darkest shade again and create horizontal bands of color across the length of the fabric. Allow the tie-dye to sit, rinse it out in cold water and unfold the fabric to reveal a series of rays radiating from the center.

10. Geodes

The geode tie-dye pattern is a great way to add some interest to a plain piece of fabric. To achieve this design, start by folding your fabric into a square shape. Then, tie the fabric tightly with rubber bands to create four equal sections. Once you’ve tied the fabric, dip it into a dye bath and allow it to soak for a few minutes.

After the fabric has had a chance to soak, remove it from the dye and rinse it out in cold water. You should see a pattern with four distinct sections, each of which is a different color. To create the geode effect, take a sharp object like a needle or toothpick and gently poke small holes into each section of tie-dye. The holes should be evenly spaced and relatively small.

Once you’ve made the holes, allow the tie-dye to sit for a while so that the colors can bleed together. Rinse and unfold the fabric to reveal a beautiful geode tie dye design.

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11. Heart

The heart tie-dye pattern is a great way to show your affection for tie-dye (or someone else). To get this design, start by folding the fabric in half lengthwise. On the folded edge, use a washable marker to draw a half-heart shape.

Next, fold small accordion pleats along the fabric, starting from the folded edge. The pleats should follow the drawn line of the heart, with the marker in a straight direction at the top of the folds. They should start fairly deep and get progressively shallower as you follow the curve of the heart.

Once you reach the end of the fabric, tie a thick rubber band around the fabric, placing it along the line. Then, add the dye to each section. The topmost color will end up being the color of the heart, so plan your colors accordingly! 

Final Thoughts

These are just a few options from the endless array of tie-dye patterns that you can try out. Get creative, have fun and let your tie-dyeing adventures begin!

Image Credits

Sunward Art/Shutterstock.com

Green Leaf/Shutterstock.com

VLADIMIR VK/Shutterstock.com

Steve Collender/Shutterstock.com

Anastasiia Horova/Shutterstock.com

Neuevector/Shutterstock.com

nuwatphoto/Shutterstock.com

P-fotography/Shutterstock.com

The post 11 Tie-Dye Patterns: How to Perfect Any Design first appeared on The Adair Group.

You just created a unique rainbow swirl on your tie-dye 1-dollar T-shirt or wholesale hoodie, and you’re wondering how long you should let the dye sit before washing it off. If you wash it too soon, the colors could come out with the wash. If you wait too long, the dye could dry up, leading to uneven coloration. So, how long do you let tie dye sit?

Keep reading to find out what happens to dye when it comes into contact with fabric and how long you should let different tie-dye projects sit before washing them with water.

Source: Artist Photographer 3D/shutterstock.com

The Amount of Time You Should Let Tie Dye Sit

The average amount of time to let tie-dye projects sit before washing them out is between eight and 24 hours. However, different dyes will require different resting periods. The resting period of the tie dye is meant to give the dye enough time to react with the fibers of your clothing. 

Ensure that as the dye sits and soaks into the fabric, the piece remains damp and in its original shape, e.g. scrunched, tied, or twisted. If you handle the clothing carelessly, the rainbow-hued patterns that you majestically created could bleed or blur out.

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The Resting Period of Different Types of Dyes

The most significant factor that determines how long you allow your freshly dyed garment to sit is the type of dye you use. The great news is that all dyes have directions for application, resting and washing on their package. All you need to do is follow the instructions on the package carefully to create a tie-dye masterpiece out of your white T-shirt.

To make work easier for you, we have prepared a guide on the different resting periods for different tie-dyes. Check them out below.

Source: P-fotography/shutterstock.com

Fiber-Reactive Tie Dye

If you are working with a fiber-reactive tie-dye, we recommend giving your garment a resting period of about four to 24 hours. If you want a maximum saturation of colors, we recommend waiting for the 24-hour mark before washing the piece. If you prefer a light-colored design, then rinse after four hours.

Fiber-reactive dyes work by bonding with the cellulose molecules in the fabric and forming strong covalent bonds. These bonds form between the fibers of the garment’s fabric and the color particles. This results in a vibrant colorful fabric.

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All-Purpose Dye

Most tie dyes that use all-purpose dyes require little to no resting period, which results in less vibrant colors. All-purpose dyes are made by blending different types of dyes, e.g. acid dyes and direct dyes. All-purpose dyes are suitable for almost all kinds of fabrics except synthetic fabrics, such as polyester.

When using all-purpose dye to tie dye your cloth, let your garment sit inside the dye bath for about 10 to 30 minutes. Then, proceed to wash.

Source: NPvancheng55/shutterstock.com

Disperse Dyes

Tie dye made from a dispersed dye solution requires between four to 24 hours to sit before washing with water. Unlike all-purpose dyes, disperse dyes are the only coloring agents that work great on synthetic materials such as polyester.

The plastic fibers in the polyester will bond with the color particles. This bonding happens through chemical and heat reactions. The boiling water you use activates the color bonding process in polyester clothes. The only downside to the procedure is that you can only create a single tie-dye color using disperse dyes.

Acid Dyes

Although tie-dyes made from acid dyes do not need any resting period, you will need a longer dyeing session for the best results. Just like disperse dyes, acid dyes also require a hot dye bath for silk and wool fabrics. We recommend adding a touch of vinegar to the boiling dye bath to activate the bonding between the color particles and the protein fibers in the wool and silk materials.

Once you have soaked your cloth in the tie-dye bath, do not let it sit. Simply place the cloth into a basin, add hot water and wash the clothing with soap.

Final Thoughts

No matter what kind of product you are dyeing, it’s important to make sure your colors sit before washing. Determine what kind of dye and fabric you are using to ensure the resting period is optimal for the combination! 

The post How Long Do You Let Tie Dye Sit Before Washing? first appeared on The Adair Group.

So, you just finished tie-dyeing a one-of-a-kind piece of wearable art or received a tie-dyed shirt as a gift. Or maybe you dyed an entire batch of white t-shirts for tie-dye to resell. What next? Whatever the case may be, you obviously want to keep the color looking vibrant for as long as possible, but you might not be quite sure of exactly how to do that. By learning how to properly wash and care for your most colorful apparel, you can keep your tie-dyed gear looking brand new for years. 

While tie-dyed garments require a bit more TLC than other clothing items, they are not particularly difficult to care for. You just need to be mindful of things that could cause fading and avoid them. Washing your brightest, most colorful clothing the same way you wash the rest of your wardrobe could be a recipe for disaster. It could fade, stain other clothing or just end up not looking as great as it once did. 

We Have a Wide Selection of White T-Shirts for Tie Dye

Here at The Adair Group, we want to help you keep your custom clothing looking just as vibrant as it looked the first time you removed the rubber bands after tie-dyeing it. That is why we are sharing some of our top tips for keeping colors bright, so you or your customers can enjoy your favorite threads for as long as possible. Keep reading to learn how to wash tie dye to keep colors bright! 

Getting Things Right the First Time: Washing a Tie Dyed Garment for the First Time

The Initial Rinse

Whether you dyed wholesale shirts yourself or picked up a tie-dyed tee or hoodie from a retailer, we recommend taking special care when washing it for the first time. You never know what process a manufacturer may have used, so it never hurts to take the same precautions when laundering your new garment as you would if you made it yourself. It’s always better to be overly cautious than to inadvertently damage an article of clothing due to carelessness. 

When making your own tie dye, give the dye about 24 hours to set before rinsing. Once this time has elapsed, rinse with cool water until it runs clear. You can do this either in your sink or tub or outside with a garden hose. Just be mindful that the dye can stain your sink, countertop, floor, concrete patio, etc. — so be careful!

Next, carefully remove the strings or rubber bands as you continue rinsing under running water. Wring the garment out under the water and repeat until the water runs clear. Always use cool water for this part of the process. When finished, hang the garment to allow the excess water to drip off. Hanging the item outside is an excellent, mess-free option. Just be sure to avoid placing it in direct sunlight because this can cause fading. 

If you purchased a pre-made tie-dyed shirt or hooded sweatshirt, we recommend following the steps outlined above (aside from removing the rubber bands/strings, of course). You may find that the water runs clear right away, or you may discover lots of excess dye to remove. Either way, pre-rinsing takes just a few moments and poses no risk of harming your apparel. 

Setting the Dye in Your Washer and Dryer

Now that you have removed all of the excess dye, you want to make sure that any dye remaining in the fabric will stay where it is without fading. To do this, you need to set the dye by machine washing and drying. 

Place your new garment in the washing machine either by itself or with other freshly dyed items with similar colors. No matter how well you rinsed in the previous step, the dye will run during the first laundry cycle. To avoid damaging your other clothing, never wash them with freshly dyed items. 

Set the machine to the smallest load size if you are washing a single item. If you are washing multiple items, select the load setting most appropriate for the number of garments you need to wash. You may also want to choose a larger setting when setting dye on heavier clothing, like wholesale hoodies. 

Add a small amount of your usual laundry detergent and select the hottest temperature setting. Hot water helps set the dye, so this is extremely important, even if you normally wash your clothes using cold water. Run a regular wash cycle and then place the garment(s) in the dryer. Dry using high heat. 

You may need to repeat this washing/drying process a few times to completely set the dye. We encourage you to wash tie-dyed apparel by itself or with similarly colored garments for the first several washes to prevent stains. You can also wash vibrantly colored clothes with old tees, dish rags and other items that won’t be ruined if they get discolored. 

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Keeping Your Tie Dye Looking Its Best

You need to take care to prevent fading even after the dye has been set. Unfortunately, there just is not a foolproof means of setting the dye and ensuring that it never fades during regular washing. Instead, you need to follow certain guidelines to keep your t-shirt, hoodie, sweatpants, etc. bright and vibrant. Here are a few tips to keep your tie-dyed duds looking like new. 

Check the Fabric Care Label

Garments made from 100 percent cotton are the best option when it comes to tie-dyeing. However, there are many other fabrics you could use. Before washing, always check the fabric care label. You may discover information to help you keep your specific garment looking its best. 

Skip the Hot Water After the First Few Washes

During the first few washes, hot water helps set the dye to prevent fading. However, it is not the best long-term option when it comes to laundering your favorite clothes. Switch to cold water after those first few washes to prevent damage, fading and shrinkage. Avoid using high heat in your dryer, too. Ideally, you should hang tie-dyed tops and bottoms to dry once the dye is set. 

Turn Tie Dyed Items Inside Out Before Washing

Do you normally turn your garments right side out before washing? You’ll want to skip this step when trying to keep colors bright. Washing your garments inside out helps prevent fading by reducing friction on the outside of the fabric. 

Avoid Washing with Heavy Items

Friction in the wash is one of the leading causes of fading. When something like a soft t-shirt or tank top rubs up against heavier items like jeans and jackets, the resulting friction damages the fabric and often leads to fading. Even garments like hooded sweatshirts are more prone to fading when laundered with heavier, rougher fabrics. Buttons, zippers and snaps cause friction, too. For best results, wash all of your clothing with items that are similar in terms of weight and fabric composition. 

Use the Gentle Cycle

Avoid as much wear and tear as possible to prevent fading. Using your machine’s gentle cycle or a short cycle minimizes friction and is less likely to cause fading. Use a gentle detergent, too. You want to remove dirt and debris from daily wear, not the dye. 

Avoid Harsh Cleaners and Stain Removers

When you think about it, tie-dyeing is little more than a fancy way of staining your clothes. As a result, it doesn’t make sense to use harsh stain removers when you want to keep the intentional “staining” as vibrant as possible. Never use bleach, and be careful when using products to remove actual stains, like food spills, ink, etc. (We’ll discuss stain removal more below!) Also, skip the fabric softener. It isn’t a stain remover, but it can cause fabric damage. For this reason alone, it’s best to avoid using it with tie dye. 

Don’t Leave Wet Clothing in the Washing Machine

If you normally start a load of laundry before heading to work and transfer it into the dryer upon your return home, you should avoid this method when caring for your tie-dyed apparel. Leaving a wet item in the washer for too long can cause color bleeding. And in addition to making the color fade, this could damage other items in your washer. Only wash your tie-dyed garments when you know you will be home to remove them from the washing machine right away. 

Dry with Care

As mentioned above, air drying is the best option for tie-dyed clothing. When that is not possible, use your dryer’s low or medium-heat setting to minimize fading (as well as shrinkage). If you can air dry, you can do so either indoors or outdoors. Either way, be sure to avoid placing the item(s) in direct sunlight. The sun’s ultraviolet rays take a serious toll on dye and cause premature fading, so be sure to dry your clothes in a shady spot. 

Consider Hand Washing

Do you have a special piece of tie-dyed apparel that you absolutely cannot risk ruining? If so, you may be better off hand washing it. Hand washing gives you more control over the process and is less likely to cause fading. It takes more time and effort, but it’s well worth it for those extra special garments. 

To hand wash tie dye after the initial wash/dry, start by filling your sink or a tub with room temperature water. Add a mild, color-safe laundry detergent and then mix with your hands to create a nice bubble bath for your clothes. Submerge the garment and then gently agitate the water with your hands. Let soak for about 30 minutes and then rinse thoroughly to remove the soapy water. 

Avoid wringing to dry. Instead, press the fabric against the sink or tub to squeeze out the excess water. Alternatively, lay the garment flat on a dry towel and then roll it up tightly to remove water. Either of these options will remove the excess water without causing damage like wringing might. Once the item is no longer dripping wet, hang or lay flat to dry. 

Dealing with Stains

Stain removal can be a bit tricky with tie-dyed clothing. You want to get rid of the ugly stain, but you don’t want to fade the fabric surrounding it. To achieve this, you need to be extremely careful in terms of what type of stain remover you use. Look for a pretreatment spray or stain remover that’s labeled as “color safe” and does not contain bleach. Before using it on the stain, test it in an inconspicuous area to make sure it won’t remove the dye. 

You may also want to consider using a natural stain remedy rather than a chemical-based remover. White vinegar does an excellent job of removing many stains, and it won’t damage tie-dye. Baking soda, salt and even meat tenderizer all make excellent stain removers, too. Do your homework to determine which products work best for the type of stain you are dealing with, and always test on an area that isn’t too noticeable before applying to a larger, more prominent area. 

Closing Thoughts

Whether you dye bulk t-shirts to resell or give as gifts or you just love making tie-dyed apparel for yourself, knowing how to keep it clean is crucial. Sure, you could just throw it in the washing machine and launder it like you would your regular clothes. Unfortunately, doing so is a surefire way to cause some serious fading. To keep your garments looking their best, try the guidelines and suggestions above. With patience and proper care, the tie-dye shirt you just finished making will look just as incredible several years in the future as it does now! 

Image Credits

David J. Mitchell/Shutterstock.com

Faizzamal/Shutterstock.com

Neuevector/Shutterstock.com

mariakray/Shutterstock.com

Blan-k/Shutterstock.com

New Africa/Shutterstock.com

The post How to Wash Tie Dye to Keep Colors Bright first appeared on The Adair Group.

Source: VLADIMIR VK/Shutterstock.com

Shop 1 Dollar T-Shirts for Your Next Tie Dye Project

If you want to do some tie-dyeing, don’t run to the store to buy a kit just yet! You might have everything you need to create your own custom apparel in your kitchen. With food coloring, you can achieve bright colors using natural ingredients rather than chemical dyes. And even if you stocked up on several 1 dollar t-shirts to tie dye, a few of those little bottles of food coloring go a long way. Read on to learn how to tie dye with food coloring. 

1. Gather Your Supplies

This project requires basic crafting supplies you probably already have lying around the house, including: 

• Food coloring in your choice of colors
• White vinegar
• Shirts or accessories to dye
• Condiment squeeze bottles
• Salt
• Gloves
• Something to protect your work surface
• Plastic bags
• Rubber bands
• Large bowl

Plain t-shirts are the best option for tie-dyeing, especially for beginners. Wholesale hoodies work well, too, though. You can also try dyeing wholesale hats if you’d like to make one-of-a-kind accessories. Whatever you choose, garments and accessories made from 100 percent cotton are best. Cotton/polyester blends work, too, but the results usually aren’t as vibrant. 

2. Soak 

Combine one part vinegar and one part water in a large bowl, making sure there is enough liquid to fully submerge the item you want to dye. Place the item in the bowl and let soak for one hour. This will allow you to achieve vibrant results. After an hour, remove the item and wring it out to remove excess liquid. 

3. Choose and Create Your Design

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Decide on a design for your shirt. From the classic spiral to bull’s eyes, hearts and more, there are tons of options. Of course, you are also free to wing it and see what happens rather than following a specific pattern. 

Fold, crumple and twist your shirt or another item as desired, and secure the fabric with rubber bands. 

4. Mix and Apply Dye

Fill a squeeze condiment bottle with about half a cup of water and then add approximately 15 drops of food coloring. Shake to mix. Repeat for each color you’d like to use. Then, apply the food coloring solutions to the fabric just like you would if you were using regular dye. Be sure to apply the food coloring to both sides of the clothing item to ensure even coverage. 

When finished, place the item in a plastic grocery bag. Let sit for a minimum of eight hours to ensure the food coloring has time to set. We recommend waiting even longer for the most eye-popping results. 

5. Rinse and Wash 

Wearing plastic gloves, take the item out of the bag and carefully remove the rubber bands while rinsing under cool water. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear. Finally, wash the item separately using hot water and gentle laundry detergent. Dry using high heat to help set the food coloring dye. We recommend washing the item by itself for the first several washes to avoid staining your other clothes. 

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Conclusion

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Tie-dyeing shirts and accessories with food coloring is a fun and affordable project. Keep in mind, though, that food coloring dye will fade over time. Permanent dyes fade, too, but not as quickly as food coloring. Keep your new tie-dyed item looking good for as long as possible by laundering in cold water on a gentle cycle and hanging to dry. Also, avoid washing with heavy items. 

The post 5 Steps to Tie Dye with Food Coloring first appeared on The Adair Group.

Tie dye is a quintessential summertime activity. Chances are, you’ve already spent lots of days soaking up the sun, applying vibrant colors to white shirts for tie dye, and coming up with one-of-a-kind fashion items. You might not have experience with one of the hottest trends of 2022, though — reverse tie dye.

Whether you’ve grown bored of traditional tie dye or are just looking for a different type of project to try for the kids, doing reverse tie dye is an excellent option. It’s even a great way to repurpose your old, faded or stained dark-colored tees and hoodies. Are you interested in learning this fun and fashionable technique? If so, keep reading to learn how to tie dye with bleach! 

What Is Bleach Tie Dye? 

Before we dive into the specifics, let’s take a moment to talk about this technique and what it is. Essentially, bleach tie dye is the opposite of traditional tie dye. Instead of adding color to light-colored bulk t-shirts and other garments using dye, this process involves removing color from darker colors — including black — with bleach. 

The dye used in traditional tie dye usually needs to set for a minimum of six to eight hours before you can rinse and see your results. However, bleach tie dye provides nearly instant gratification. Instead of letting it sit for several hours, you’ll be able to rinse it in as little as 10 minutes. The speedy nature of this process makes it ideal for birthday parties, cookouts and other events since everyone will be able to take their creations home the same day. 

Check Out Our White T-Shirts for Tie Dye!

Bleach tie dye is also an excellent way to breathe new life into discolored and stained garments. This makes it a perfect option if you’re looking for an eco-friendly way to upcycle old and damaged clothing. 

Safety Notes

Chlorine bleach is a common household cleaning product. However, despite how frequently you might already use it, don’t forget that it is also a corrosive chemical. It can burn your skin and eyes and even produce toxic gas when mixed with certain chemicals. For this reason, taking proper precautions is crucial when working with bleach. 

Don’t allow young kids to handle bleach and constantly supervise older kids while working on this project. Even as an adult, take proper safety precautions. Work outside or in a very well-ventilated area. Wear a face shield or goggles to protect your eyes from accidental splashes and wear gloves to prevent burns. Never combine bleach with anything other than water, and when mixing, always pour the bleach into the water — not the other way around — to minimize splashing. 

Always take the time to protect yourself, your kids and your work area. Treat bleach with respect, and keep safety in mind at all times to avoid accidents. 

How to Tie Dye with Bleach

Now that we have all of that out of the way, let’s get to the fun part! Follow the steps below to create your first bleach-dyed shirt. 

Collect Your Supplies

Making a bleach-dyed shirt requires only a few supplies. You probably already have everything you need at home. You’ll need: 

• Black or dark-colored cotton shirts. Wholesale shirts are ideal because they’re inexpensive and ensure you will have backups if you make a mistake. 
• Kitchen tongs
• Spray bottle. Make sure it’s a clean bottle with no residual chemicals from other cleaning products! 
• Bleach. You need regular household chlorine bleach for this project, not color-safe bleach. 
• Water
• Rubber bands or string
• Something to protect your work surface (plastic tablecloth, scrap cardboard, etc.)
• An outdoor or well-ventilated area in which to work

Prepare Your Work Area and Supplies

If you’re using new shirts, wash them using regular laundry detergent and skip the fabric softener. It’s up to you whether you want to dry them or apply bleach while the fabric is still wet. Skipping the dryer saves time, but the bleached area may turn out a bit less defined when using a damp shirt. Applying the bleach to dry fabric yields the sharpest design. 

Cover your work area. If you are working outside and using a lightweight cover, like a tablecloth or trash bag, consider taping them down. Even if it’s not a windy day, even a slight breeze can make a big mess. It’s better to be safe than sorry! 

Next, mix up a 50/50 bleach solution. Fill your spray bottle halfway with water and then carefully fill it the rest of the way with household bleach. 

Get Your Shirt Ready

Decide on a pattern for your shirt. You can use any of the traditional techniques, including spiral, bull’s-eye, crumple, etc. Once you’ve chosen a tie-dye technique, start folding the shirt to achieve the desired design. Secure with rubber bands or string while you work. If you are trying to create a design with sharp lines, consider using binder clips to hold clean creases in place. 

Place the shirt on your work surface and you’re ready for the next step. 

Apply Bleach

With your shirt and work area prepped, it’s time to apply the bleach. If you haven’t already, put on your gloves and goggles/face shield. Make sure you’re wearing old clothes, too. You don’t want to ruin your favorite shirt by accidentally splattering it with bleach. 

Spray your bleach solution on the areas of the shirt you want to remove the color from. This could be all of the fabric visible after folding and securing, or it may be a small section depending on the design and your preferences. In either case, work carefully to make sure most of the bleach remains on the shirt. Once you’ve finished the front, use your kitchen tongs to flip the shirt over and then spray the backside. 

Most garments made from 100 percent cotton will start changing color within seconds, so work as quickly as you can without making a mess. 

Optional: Try a Different Technique

If you don’t have a spray bottle or are looking for a more controlled method of applying bleach to fabric, use toilet bowl cleaner. Follow the exact same procedure as above, but drizzle the toilet bowl cleaner over the fabric instead of spraying a bleach solution. Just be mindful to apply it as evenly as possible to ensure consistent results. 

Let the Bleach Work Its Magic

Keep a close eye on your shirt as the bleach does its job. You may be able to rinse in as little as 10 minutes. However, it could take a bit longer to achieve the desired result. Feel free to leave it on for up to 30 minutes, as long as you monitor it closely. If you leave it on too long, it will start eating through the fabric. 

Keep in mind that bleach doesn’t turn dark fabric white. Instead, the bleached area will be a light orangish color. 

Rinse and Wash

Pick the shirt up with your tongs and move it to an area where you can rinse it. This could be your kitchen sink or bathtub, or you could use your garden hose. Rinse thoroughly with the rubber bands/strings/clips still in place. Then, remove them and rinse again. Do your best to remove all of the bleach. 

Next, immediately put the shirt in your washing machine and launder as usual. Unlike traditional tie dye, you don’t need to dry using high heat to set the dye. As soon as your shirt is clean and dry, it’s ready for wear. 

Bonus: Step Up Your Reverse Tie Dye Game! 

After reverse tie dyeing a few tees, experiment with different garments and accessories. You can bleach wholesale hoodies, hats, blankets, tote bags and more. For best results, just be sure to use products made from 100 percent cotton. You can bleach tie dye 50/50 cotton-polyester blends, but the results will be less dramatic. This could be perfect if you’re going for a more subtle look. 

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When you’re ready to really take your reverse tie dye skills to the next level, try adding color to the bleached areas. To do this, start by bleaching and laundering the shirt according to the above instructions. For the best results, skip drying. 

Spread the damp shirt out on your work surface, smoothing away any wrinkles. Then, mix up the dye in a traditional tie dye kit. Once mixed, squirt each color onto the area you want to dye. Be careful when overlapping colors to avoid creating a muddy brown. Instead, place primary colors next to each other so they mix to form pretty colors. Red and blue make purple, yellow and blue make green and red and yellow make orange. Once you’ve finished the front, flip and repeat on the back. Most of the back will likely already be covered in dye from the front, but you will need to fill in some blank spots. 

Carefully place the shirt in a plastic grocery bag and tie the bag closed. Put it aside for a minimum of six to eight hours. Let the dye work its magic overnight for the most vibrant results. The longer you give the dye to set, the brighter the end result will be. Now is an excellent time to be patient. 

When the dye has had enough time to set, put on some gloves and remove the shirt from the bag. Rinse thoroughly under cool running water. Continue rinsing until the dye runs clear and then launder the shirt as usual. Dry using high heat to set the color and help prevent future fading. 

Keep Your Tie Dye Looking Great

Take special care when washing your bleach tie-dyed shirt if you added color. For starters, wash it separately the first few times to make sure there’s no remaining dye to damage your other clothes. 

Turn tie-dyed apparel inside out before washing, and avoid washing with heavier items, like coats or jeans. Use cold water and gentle detergent to minimize fading, and wash on the gentle cycle. Avoid stain removers and fabric softener. If you must use a stain remover to get rid of a spot, choose one that does not contain bleach and use as little as possible. 

Remove your clean tie-dyed apparel from the washer as soon as possible. The longer you let it sit, the more time the dye has to bleed out. Ideally, you should hang it to dry either indoors or in a shady area as soon as the wash cycle ends. Don’t hang in direct sunlight, as the sun can make the dye fade! If you must use your dryer, use the lowest heat setting possible. Check the garment every 10 minutes or so and remove it from the dryer as soon as it’s dry. 

Conclusion

When you are looking to add a fun new flair to your tie dye projects, learning how to tie dye with bleach is the perfect opportunity to develop a new skill and take your creations to the next level. With the proper precautions and a few supplies you probably already have lying around the house, you can create one-of-a-kind designs and give old apparel and accessories a brand-new look. This project is great for teens and adults, but it’s also easy enough for younger kids — as long as you provide adequate supervision. 

If you need wholesale tees or hoodies to bleach tie dye, check out the complete collection right here at The Adair Group. We have everything you need to let your creativity shine! 

Image Credits

Pichit Tongma/Shutterstock.com

HstrongART/Shutterstock.com

SeventyFour/Shutterstock.com

AmaPhoto/Shutterstock.com

psy dye/Shutterstock.com

The post How to Tie Dye with Bleach: The Complete Guide first appeared on The Adair Group.

And when you make tie dyed apparel during the winter months, you can make things like custom hooded sweatshirts that would be too warm to wear during the summer. Plus, you can ditch the bright rainbow colors in favor of more subdued winter hues. 

If you’re thinking about digging out your kit and dying some clothes or accessories this winter, we have some color combination suggestions you won’t want to miss. Keep reading to discover a few awesome winter tie dye colors to try. 

The Adair Group Has Bulk Wholesale T-Shirts That Are Perfect for Tie Dye

1. Neutral Hues

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Normally, we advise against combining dye colors that could create brown when mixed. After all, a big brown splotch in the middle of a rainbow spiral isn’t anyone’s idea of beautiful tie dye! The winter months are a great time to experiment with neutral hues — including browns and tans — though. If you prefer a more subdued look at this time of year, try creating simple tie dye patterns using shades of beige, brown, navy blue, gray, etc. 

The key here is not to overdo it. Simple patterns work best, and you should only use three colors or so. Instead of using 100-percent cotton tees to yield the most vibrant results, try dyeing a cotton/polyester blend tee for a more muted look. Neutral tie dye is an excellent wintertime project, and it’s a fun way for those who might not love the vibrant, classic look to experience the joy of tie dye. 

2. Blue and Purple

Cool weather calls for cool colors, and there is simply no better combo than blue and purple. Whether you pair baby blue with lilac for a lovely pastel look or combine rich blue and purple jewel tones, you will be able to create beautiful tie dyed apparel that’s perfect for this time of year. You can even use various shades of the same colors to make combinations that are as unique as you are. 

Blue and purple make a great combination for accessories, too. Why limit yourself to just t-shirts and hoodies? Try your hand at tie dyeing wholesale hats, gloves and scarves using these colors, and you’ll have the perfect accessories to add a cool pop of color to your outfit. 

3. Mint and White

Source: Limolida Design Studio/Shutterstock.com

If you want to keep things really subtle, try adding some mint green dye to a white shirt. Mint and white go well together, and it’s an especially lovely combination to wear during the winter. This is another color combo that tends to work best with simple tie dye patterns. Try scrunching a shirt up at random, securing with rubber bands and applying dye. 

While typically done using indigo blue dye, shibori dyeing techniques also work well with this light color. Dip dying is also a great option and allows you to make a shirt that gradually fades from a lovely mint green to white. 

4. Candy Colors

Create the ultimate girly tie dye using candy colors, like fuchsia, violet and rose. These colors have just the right amount of coolness for the winter months when combined. Plus, they are great colors to wear for Valentine’s Day! Try using candy colors to make a heart-shaped tie dye shirt or use them to put a sweet spin on the classic rainbow spiral. 

5. Red and Green

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Christmas may be over, but red and green are still quintessential winter colors. Combine these colors in your winter tie dye creations to make apparel that’s reminiscent of a winter scene featuring a cardinal sitting on an evergreen branch. To avoid having your designs look too Christmasy, use mainly shades of green with just a little bit of red as an accent. 

Closing Thoughts

Don’t leave your tie dye kit sitting on the shelf this winter. Instead, experiment with different color combinations that are perfect for this time of year. Transform your stash of bulk wholesale t-shirts into beautiful works of art and, before you know it, those dreary winter days will be a whole lot more colorful! 

The post 5 Winter Tie Dye Colors to Try first appeared on The Adair Group.

We have some excellent news for you! Reverse tie dye builds on traditional tie dye techniques and allows you to create vibrant and edgy designs on dark garments. There are several different patterns to try, and the only thing you will need aside from the usual tie dye supplies is some bleach. If you’re looking for a fresh new way to make tie dye shirts, keep reading to discover a few awesome reverse tie dye patterns to try! 

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What Is Reverse Tie Dye?

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Reverse tie dye is the process of “dyeing” black and dark-colored apparel using bleach instead of dye. Once the color has been removed, you can add color using your tie dye kit of choice. The process is simple, and the results are amazing! You’ll definitely want to stock up on bulk wholesale t-shirts to use for this technique. 

Reversed Crumple

If you are looking for the fastest and easiest way to reverse tie dye a shirt, this one’s for you! The reversed crumple technique doesn’t require precise folds, and you don’t even need to tie the fabric if you don’t want to. Just dampen a dark-colored shirt, squeeze out the excess water, and scrunch it up into a crumpled pile. You can scrunch it up as loosely or tightly as you’d like. For tight crumples, secure the fabric with a few rubber bands. 

Mix up a 50/50 solution of household bleach and water in a spray bottle. Spray all over both sides of the shirt, making sure to saturate the fabric. Then, let sit until the bleach does its magic. After 10 minutes, check your shirt to see how much the color has faded. Check back every five minutes until the fabric has reached the desired shade. Don’t let the bleach sit for more than 30 minutes, as it could damage the fabric. Keep in mind that the fabric likely will not fade to white. Instead, it will have an orangish hue in most cases. 

Source: Chaiyanunn/Shutterstock.com

If you used any rubber bands, remove them. Rinse your shirt thoroughly under cold running water, and then wash it in your washing machine. The next step is up to you. You can either wear your new shirt as-is or add color to the bleached areas using a tie dye kit. 

Dark Rainbow

Lay a dark t-shirt out flat. Next, starting at one bottom corner, add rubber bands every couple of inches until you reach the opposite shoulder. Make sure the rubber bands are nice and tight! Then, apply a 50/50 bleach solution to the fabric. Let the bleach work its magic, and then remove the rubber bands and rinse and wash the shirt. 

While still damp, spread the shirt out on a flat, protected surface. Use a tie dye kit to add color to the bleached sections. Remember the appropriate color order for an authentic rainbow look: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. When finished with one side, flip the shirt over and dye the back. Place the shirt in a plastic bag and let sit overnight, and then rinse. Wash your shirt with gentle laundry detergent and hang it to dry. 

Our Bulk Wholesale T-Shirts Are Perfect for Reverse Tie Dye

Reverse Spiral

Try making a reverse spiral tie dyed shirt if you want to put a new spin on an old classic. Start by laying a damp black t-shirt on a flat surface. Pinch the shirt, and then spiral the fabric around the pinched material. Press the fabric down as you go. The goal is to create a relatively flat disc. When finished, use rubber bands to secure the fabric and divide the disc into pizza-like wedges. 

Source: Muhammad Rendra/Shutterstock.com

Blend one part water and one part bleach in a plastic bin that’s large enough for your shirt to fit in. Then, press the shirt down into the solution on one side, then the other. Take your time to make sure the fabric gets saturated. 

Let sit for 10 to 30 minutes until the bleached areas fade to an orangish color. Remove the rubber bands, rinse and wash. Lay the still-damp shirt out on a flat surface and apply dye to the bleached sections. Repeat on the opposite side. Let sit overnight, rinse and then wash. 

Conclusion

Reverse tie dye is a great way to take your skills to the next level. And once you’ve mastered the art of reverse tie dyeing t-shirts, try your hand at customizing other things like wholesale hats or hoodies. 

The post 3 Reverse Tie Dye Patterns to Try first appeared on The Adair Group.

Start with the Right Pants

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When it comes to any tie dye project, starting with the right fabric is crucial. Sweatpants made from 100% cotton are your best bet because they will soak up the dye and yield vibrant results. Cotton/polyester blends work, too, but you’ll want to look for sweats that contain as little polyester as possible. Unfortunately, 100% polyester sweatpants won’t work for this project. 

Browse Bulk Sweatshirts and More! 

Gather the Rest of Your Supplies

Now that you have your pants, it’s time to get the other necessary supplies. To make tie dyed sweatpants, you’ll need: 

• Tie dye kit
• Rubber bands
• Disposable gloves

You’ll also need a place where you can apply the dye without making a mess. Either cover a table with plastic and a layer of paper towels or place a rack inside a plastic container that’s large enough to hold the pants once tied. 

Prep Your Pants

We recommend pre-washing your sweatpants to remove any lint and leftover starch or other coatings from the manufacturing process. Use gentle detergent, and skip the fabric softener. Instead of drying, lay the damp, clean pants out on a flat surface. Decide which tie dye technique you’d like to use. Fold your pants into the desired pattern, and secure them with rubber bands. It’s up to you whether you would rather carefully fold your pants or bunch them up at random. Both techniques yield beautiful results. Just make sure the rubber bands are tight, so they won’t fall off during the process. 

Apply Dye

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Mix up your dye according to the instructions included with your tie dye kit, and place your sweatpants on a protected surface or the rack in a plastic bin. Squeeze the dye onto the fabric, making sure to get it down into the creases. Feel free to use as many colors as you would like. Be mindful of what colors you place next to each other to avoid creating muddy, unpleasant hues. When you have finished applying dye to one side, flip the pants over and dye the other side. 

If you are only using one color, there’s an alternative technique that works well. Mix your fabric dye up in a bowl or container that’s large enough to submerge your pants in. Then, dunk your rubber-banded pants in the solution. Let soak until the fabric has absorbed a good amount of the dye, then remove. 

Let Sit

Place the garment in a plastic grocery bag, and tie it shut. Set the bag aside, and let the dye work its magic for several hours. Ideally, you should let the dye sit overnight to ensure the best results. The longer you wait, the more vibrant the outcome will be. 

Rinse and Wash

Once the dye has had plenty of time to set, carefully remove the rubber bands. Rinse the pants under cold water until it runs mostly clear. Then, wash your new sweats by themself in your washing machine. Use cold water and regular laundry detergent. Hang to dry, or use your dryer’s medium heat setting. To keep your new tie dyed sweatpants looking great even after the first few washes, avoid laundering with abrasive materials like denim. Hanging them to dry can help extend their life too. 

Conclusion

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Source: Pravosudov Yaroslav/Shutterstock.com

Making tie dyed sweatpants is a fun way to expand your tie dyed wardrobe. To take your look to the next level, stock up on wholesale hoodies to dye in coordinating colors. You’ll be turning heads for all the right reasons when you head out wearing your matching tie dyed sweats! At The Adair Group, we have the apparel you need for your next project. Check out our full selection today!

The post How to Tie Dye Sweatpants first appeared on The Adair Group.

It’s that time of year again! With the days getting shorter and the leaves (and temperatures) falling, your thoughts have probably turned to filling your closet with cozy clothes that will keep you toasty on chilly fall and winter days. You might also be trying to come up with some unique ideas for holiday gifts or searching for the perfect garment to add to your store’s fall and winter collection. 

Whatever the case may be, you can never go wrong with a hooded sweatshirt. And since tie dye has been enjoying a huge moment in the fashion works, wholesale hoodies is an excellent way to fill your closet, stock your store, or create one-of-a-kind gifts for the holiday season. 

Find Wholesale Hoodies Perfect for Sweater Weather at The Adair Group!

Like making tie dyed t-shirts, dyeing hoodies is a fun and simple project that is perfect for people of all ages. Whether you prefer crafting solo or with family or friends, working on this project is a fantastic way to brighten up a dreary day. Keep reading to learn how to tie dye a hoodie. 

What You’ll Need

Supply List: 

• Blank hooded sweatshirt
• Tie dye kit
• Disposable gloves
• Trash bags
• Rubber bands
• Baking rack (Not required, but extremely helpful!)

The first thing you’ll need for making a tie dyed hoodie is, of course, a hooded sweatshirt. White works best when you want the colors to pop. Pastels work, too, though. Just be mindful of how the dye colors will mix with the color of the shirt. For example, if you add red dye to a pastel blue hoodie, the dyed area will have a purplish hue. For a unique look, consider customizing a black hoodie using the reverse tie dye technique. 

We recommend stocking up on bulk sweatshirts at wholesale prices. Buying in bulk allows you to get several hoodies for roughly the same amount you’d pay to buy one from many retailers. In addition to making sound financial sense, going with this option means you will have extras in case your first attempt does not turn out quite as you had hoped. And when you shop The Adair Group for wholesale hooded sweatshirts for making tie dye shirts, you will score amazing deals on products from trusted brands like Gildan.

Hooded sweatshirts made from 100% cotton yield the brightest and most vibrant results. Shirts made from blends of cotton and polyester work, but the colors typically do not turn out as bright. Before shopping, check out our guide to the best and worst fabrics for tie dye to learn more about what materials work best. 

When shopping for tie dye kits, products made by Tulip are a great option. Tulip dyes are easy to use, and the kits usually come with everything you need to tie dye  bulk t shirts and sweatshirts — including gloves and rubber bands. You can find this brand at most craft stores and big-box retailers, too. 

While not essential, a baking rack makes it much easier to prevent the colors from bleeding while dyeing your shirt. Place one in your kitchen sink to put your shirt on while dyeing, and you won’t have to worry about the garment sitting in a puddle of mixed dye. If you don’t want to dye shirts in your sink, you can also place a baking rack inside a dishpan or on top of a protected work surface. 

Preparing Your Hoodie

You are probably excited to start adding dye to your hoodie, but it’s essential to do a little bit of prep work before you do. Preparing your hoodie is crucial when it comes to ensuring the best possible results, so you don’t want to skip these steps. 

First, wash your hoodie (or hoodies) in warm water using your regular detergent. This removes any softeners, chemicals, or other contaminants that could be on the garment. Avoid using fabric softener. The residue it leaves behind could get in the way when tie dyeing. 

After laundering the garment, remove it from your washing machine, but do not dry it. Fabric dye penetrates damp fibers better, resulting in a more vibrant finished appearance. For best results, you want the garment to be damp but not soaking wet. 

Folding for the Desired Effect

Place the clean sweatshirt on a protected work surface, and smooth out any wrinkles using your hands. Decide what type of tie dye pattern you would like to create, then fold, twist, and bunch the fabric accordingly. Secure using rubber bands. 

Not sure what pattern to try? You can never go wrong with the classic spiral. 

To tie dye a top in a spiral pattern, pinch the fabric in the center of the garment. Then, twist until the entire shirt is wrapped around the pinched area. Take your time while doing this, and use your other hand to adjust the folds as needed. Ideally, the folds that form in the shirt while twisting should all be roughly the same size. Once the shirt is twisted and folded, secure with rubber bands. The shirt should be relatively flat and divided into wedges like a pizza using rubber bands when you are finished. At this point, you’re ready to move on to the next step. 

If you want to try something a bit less traditional, there are tons of different tie dye techniques and color combos. And if you are feeling super creative, you can always experiment with your own designs and techniques to create unique tie dyed apparel.  

Applying the Dye

This is where the fun begins! 

Before you bust out those bottles of dye, though, you need to figure out an area where you can work without worrying about causing damage with the dye. If you are working at a table, cover the surface with trash bags and a layer of paper towels. Alternatively, you can use tubs or place your shirt in your kitchen sink while applying color. 

Once you have decided where to work and, if necessary, protected the surface, grab your baking rack. Place it in your sink, tub, or on your work surface, and place your shirt on top. Doing this allows the excess dye to drip through the shirt rather than collecting in the fabric and potentially causing an unpleasant, muddy look. 

Put on your gloves, then mix up the dye according to the instructions included with your kit. In most cases, you just need to add water to bottles containing powdered dye and shake. Always read the instructions carefully before starting, though, just in case there are any additional steps or requirements. 

Using the rubber bands as a guide, apply a generous amount of dye to each shirt section. If you are making a spiral tie dyed hoodie, apply color to each wedge in a pinwheel shape. For other patterns and techniques, follow the instructions carefully to guarantee the best possible result. Use the tip of the bottles to get into the folds of the fabric and ensure that you do not miss any spots. 

Once you have fully saturated one side of the sweatshirt with dye, flip the shirt over, and apply color to the other side. It’s up to you whether you want to match the colors on the back to those on the front. However, keep in mind that if you use different colors in the same sections but on opposite sides of the shirt, they will mix in places. Avoid mixing colors that create muddy brown hues when combined (unless, of course, that’s the look you are going for). 

Again, apply the dye liberally to ensure that the fabric is fully saturated. If you are used to using plain white t shirts for tie dye instead of sweatshirts or hoodies, be prepared to use more dye than usual. Thicker fabrics soak up color like a sponge, so you will need to apply more to yield vibrant results. 

Letting the Dye Do Its Magic

This step might not be much fun, but it is essential. Unfortunately, it takes some time for the dye to work its magic, so you will need to let your shirt sit for a while before rinsing. Place the shirt in a grocery bag or trash bag, and tie the bag closed. If you are making multiple shirts, place each one in its own bag to prevent the colors from mixing. 

The instructions included with your tie dye kit likely say to let the dye sit for six to eight hours. However, we recommend waiting even longer for the most vibrant results. Set the bag aside, and forget about it for 12 to 24 hours. This ensures that the dye has plenty of time to set and really stick to the fabric’s fibers. Trust us; it’s worth the extra wait! 

Finishing Up

Once the dye has had plenty of time to set, it’s time to rinse. Put on another pair of gloves, and carefully open up the bag(s). Be sure to do this in an area that will not be damaged by drips of dye! Opening the bags in your bathtub or kitchen sink is the safest option. 

Before removing the rubber bands, rinse out as much dye as you can using cool water. Rinse each section individually as much as possible. This helps keep the colors from running together. When the water starts mainly running clear, remove the rubber bands. If possible, avoid cutting them off. You don’t want to cut holes in your masterpiece accidentally! 

Unbundle the shirt, and continue rinsing to remove any remaining dye. Wring out the water and repeat until the water runs clear. Take your time. You want to remove as much dye as possible before washing. 

Toss the hoodie in your washing machine by itself or with other tie dyed garments from the same batch. Add a bit of laundry detergent, then wash using hot water and dry as usual. For the first several washes, you’ll need to wash your new tie dyed apparel by itself to avoid damaging any of your other clothing with residual dye. However, after a few washes, you can launder your tie dyed sweatshirts along with other colored clothing. 

Keeping Tie Dyed Clothes Looking Great

To keep your tie dyed top looking like new, wash it with care. Turn it inside out before tossing it in the washing machine to help prevent fading. And use cold water to keep the colors from bleeding. We recommend using gentle detergent and your machine’s gentle cycle, too. 

Avoid washing tie dyed hoodies with heavy items like jeans that cause excessive friction. 

As soon as the wash cycle ends, remove the shirt and hang it to dry or place it in the dryer. The longer a wet shirt sits in your washing machine, the more likely the colors will start to bleed out. If drying your shirt on an outdoor clothesline, make sure it is not exposed to direct sunlight as the sun’s UV rays can cause fading. 

Closing Thoughts

We Have the Blank Apparel You Need for Making Tie Dye Shirts!

Whether you’re making them for yourself, to sell, or to give as gifts, tie dyed hooded sweatshirts are sweater weather must-haves. And once you’ve mastered the basics of how to tie dye a hoodie, you can apply those same techniques to customize sweatpants, socks, and other cozy apparel. 

If you need blank hoodies, crewneck sweatshirts, or t-shirts for your next tie dye project, we have you covered! Shop The Adair Group today to browse our full selection of wholesale blank apparel from leading brands. 

Image Credits

Natalie Guerrero Rueda/Shutterstock.com

silentwings_M_Ghosh/Shutterstock.com

ViDI Studio/Shutterstock.com

Mark Herreid/Shutterstock.com

Didecs/Shutterstock.com

Febriana Suwarningsih/Shutterstock.com

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