Garment Dyeing

Color, Texture, and Control Beyond Stock Blanks

Some merch leans on familiar blanks and bold stock colors, which can flatten the personality of the work. Garment dyeing allows us to move the piece away from that look and closer to something that feels considered and aligned.

Rather than starting from pre-colored garments, we work from undyed or ivory bases and apply color in-house. This gives us control over tone, saturation, texture, and how the dye interacts with both the fabric and the artwork. The result is a shirt that feels intentional before a single graphic is printed.

Garment dyeing is included in our flat-rate custom packages and handled entirely in the studio, keeping color decisions connected to the rest of the process.

Why Garment Dyeing Changes the Outcome

When color is selected from a stock blank, it often comes with limitations. What looks right in a catalog doesn’t always translate the same way once ink is added. Some colors overpower graphics. Others reduce contrast or shift unpredictably after printing.

Because we dye garments before printing, the artwork stays crisp and clean. Ink is applied to a finished surface rather than competing with an off-the-shelf color. This keeps prints feeling fresh, readable, and consistent across the run.

It also allows us to guide color choices early, avoiding the common outcome where merch starts to resemble promotional items rather than an extension of a brand’s identity.

Our Dye Styles

Each dye style is designed to support the artwork rather than distract from it. Variation is part of the process, but it’s intentional and controlled.

Solid Tub Dye

Solid dye is achieved by submerging garments in dye baths, allowing color to penetrate the fabric fully.

These are not flat, factory-perfect solids. Subtle variation from tee to tee creates texture and depth, giving the garment a softer, more natural feel while maintaining cohesion across the run.

Dusty Peach Solid Garment Dye

Spiral Dye

Our spiral dyes are developed with restraint. Color palettes are chosen to feel balanced and intentional rather than loud or chaotic.

The spiral introduces movement across the garment while still leaving space for the artwork to read clearly. This style works well when you want visual interest without overpowering the print.

Golden Sunset Spiral

Crush Dye

Crush dye creates a lazy, uneven pattern that still makes a clear visual statement. The surface holds movement and texture without feeling busy, allowing graphics to sit naturally across the garment.

This approach works especially well when you want the dye itself to register immediately, but not compete with the artwork. The result feels intentional without being overworked, giving the piece presence while keeping the focus on the design.

Dot Dye

Dot dye introduces controlled patterning through repeated points of saturation.

It can be subtle or more pronounced depending on the project, and it works especially well when graphic clarity is important. The pattern supports the artwork rather than competing with it.

Astro Creme™  Dot Dye

Shop Rag Dye

Shop rag dye leans into irregularity. The pattern echoes the look of a well-used shop rag, with overlapping saturation, uneven texture, and softened edges.

It works well when you want to add depth to the tee without it reading as a traditional tie dye. Color moves smoothly across the surface, creating variation while staying understated.

This style pairs naturally with test prints, experimental layouts, and graphics that benefit from a more lived-in surface.

Shop Rag Dye™

Integrated Into the Studio Process

Because dyeing happens in-house and before printing, everything stays connected.

Garments are dyed, cured, and prepared before any ink hits the fabric. This keeps prints clean, sharp, and consistent, while allowing dye and graphic decisions to inform one another naturally.

Garment dyeing is included in our flat-rate custom packages as part of a system designed to support strong work from start to finish.

What’s Next

If a done-for-you approach is a better fit, continue on to learn more about fully hosted packages.

 

FAQ

Is garment dyeing included in custom packages?
Yes. Garment dyeing is included in our flat-rate custom packages.

Will every shirt look identical?
No. Natural variation is part of the process, but color and pattern are controlled to keep the run cohesive.

Does dyeing affect print quality?
No. Dyeing is completed before printing to ensure the artwork stays clean and readable.

Can you help choose the right dye style and colors?
Yes. Color selection and guidance are part of the process.