Cutch Extract Dye

Description

Cutch Dye is a rich natural dye extracted from the heartwood of the Acacia catechu tree, native to India and Southeast Asia. It produces warm, earthy browns ranging from golden tans and cinnamon to deep reddish browns and burnt umber tones. Cutch is known for its exceptional lightfastness, high tannin content, and affinity for natural fibers, making it ideal for both dyeing and eco-printing. It also improves fiber strength and naturally resists mildew, adding functional benefits to its aesthetic appeal.

Recommended Use

Use at 10–15% WOF for medium to deep shades. Dissolve in hot water and simmer gently before adding to dye bath. It yields rich, layered color on its own or can be modified with iron for dark browns and near-black, or with soda ash for redder tones. Especially well-suited for cotton, linen, silk, and wool, and often used in traditional block printing and textile art.

Historical Significance

Used across South Asia for centuries, Cutch was both a dye and a medicinal extract. It featured in Mughal-era textiles and Ayurvedic preparations, valued for its deep hues and antibacterial properties. In colonial trade, it was exported in brick form for use in woolens and leather. Cutch became a staple in traditional dye houses for achieving lasting, complex browns, and was often used as a base color in multi-step dyeing processes.

Dye Details

Name: Catechu extract from Acacia catechu

Origin: India

Dye Type: Tannin-rich botanical extract

Recommended Fibers: Cotton, linen, silk, wool, and plant-based blends

Lightfastness: Excellent on all fibers

Mordants & Modifiers:

Alum – warm golden brown to caramel

Iron (2%) – deep walnut brown to charcoal

Soda Ash – reddish-browns and mahogany

Copper – adds cool undertones

Cream of Tartar – softens color, especially on silk

Packaging

Available in resealable, eco-friendly kraft pouches. Includes full instructions for dyeing, mordanting, and color modification.