{"id":3732,"date":"2021-09-23T10:00:21","date_gmt":"2021-09-23T15:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/?p=3732"},"modified":"2021-09-29T19:35:07","modified_gmt":"2021-09-30T00:35:07","slug":"can-you-tie-dye-a-colored-shirt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/can-you-tie-dye-a-colored-shirt\/","title":{"rendered":"Can You Tie Dye a Colored Shirt?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It seems like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/t-shirts\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">plain white tees get all the love when it comes to blank clothing for tie dye<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. You may have wondered, though, if it\u2019s possible to tie dye colored shirts. Or even black ones. Whether you are looking for ways to upcycle old apparel or you are just trying to figure out a way to put a new twist on a class project, you will likely be happy to learn that, yes, you can tie dye a colored or black shirt. With the proper technique, it is possible to dye shirts of any color imaginable. There are a few different ways to get the job done, and the end results can be pretty remarkable. If you\u2019ve ever wondered, \u201ccan you tie dye a colored shirt?\u201d keep reading to learn precisely how to do it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3727\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Tie-Dye-Black-2-Tone-Clouds.jpg\" alt=\"Tie Dye Black 2 Tone Clouds Close Up Shot fabric texture background Pink Yellow\" width=\"830\" height=\"491\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Tie-Dye-Black-2-Tone-Clouds.jpg 830w, https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Tie-Dye-Black-2-Tone-Clouds-300x177.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Tie-Dye-Black-2-Tone-Clouds-768x454.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source: Pixel88\/Shutterstock.com<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Basics<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When dyeing fabric that is already colored, there are two primary options. First, you can directly dye light and pastel colors, such as baby blue, light yellow, and pale pink. If you go this route, though, the result will be a mix of the original color of the shirt and the dye you added. So, if you add red dye to a light blue shirt, you will end up with a purplish color. This is important to keep in mind because some colors are not very pretty when mixed. <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.colormatters.com\/color-and-design\/basic-color-theory\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding basic color theory<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will help you avoid making a mess.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a style=\"background:#075f96;display:block;text-align:center;padding:10px 20px;max-width:400px;color:#fff;border:2px solid #075f96;transition:0.3s;margin:20px auto;border-radius:7px;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/t-shirts\/\">Check Out Our Collection of Wholesale T-Shirts<\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The second option \u2014 and the only one when working with dark colors and black \u2014 is removing the color using bleach. After bleaching, you can apply dye to the areas where color was removed. This process is known as \u201c<\/span><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/chaoticallyyours.com\/bleach-tie-dye\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reverse tie dye<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,\u201d and it\u2019s a great way to add vibrant pops of color to dark apparel. Be careful not to leave the bleach on too long, though, as it can damage the fabric. 15-20 minutes is usually plenty of time for the bleach to do its job.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Tie Dyeing Gray Shirts<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tie dyeing a gray shirt can be tricky, and the exact process varies depending on the darkness of the gray. For dark gray shirts, you have two options. First, you can add black dye to create a unique dark tie dye effect. The other option would be bleaching it then adding the colors of your choice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lighter gray shirts offer more versatility and can be dyed using many colors. Gray tends to make other colors look dull, though, so you are not likely to achieve vibrant results. If you want the colors to pop, consider using a bleaching agent to remove some of the shirt\u2019s color before dyeing it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Tie Dyeing Black Shirts<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3726\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Dark-Bleached-Hard-Grunge-Boho-Tie-Dye.jpg\" alt=\"Dirty Bleach Background. Watercolor Pattern Dark Bleached Hard Grunge Boho Tie Dye. Black Trendy Fashion Bleach Print. Retro Shibori Watercolor. Watercolor Craft Paint Art. Watercolor\" width=\"830\" height=\"477\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Dark-Bleached-Hard-Grunge-Boho-Tie-Dye.jpg 830w, https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Dark-Bleached-Hard-Grunge-Boho-Tie-Dye-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Dark-Bleached-Hard-Grunge-Boho-Tie-Dye-768x441.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source: psy dye\/Shutterstock.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you want to tie dye black shirts, using bleach to remove some of the color is necessary. Because black is made up of all colors, there is no dye that you can add to it that will change its color. The best you can hope for would be making a faded shirt darker by adding more black dye.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/t-shirts\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dyeing up a batch of wholesale t-shirts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or you are looking for a way to add some color to a few of your old tees, start by folding or twisting them into the desired pattern. Secure using rubber bands or string. Then, apply bleach. Rather than using liquid bleach (which tends to be very messy), consider using gel toilet bowl cleaner. Since it is thicker, this product is much easier to apply to specific areas. You are less likely to spill it, too. If you do use regular liquid bleach, mix it with water in a 1:1 ratio.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let the bleach work for 15 to 20 minutes. This is usually enough time for it to do its magic. If more time is needed, check back every five minutes until the fabric is light enough to dye. Do not leave the bleach on for more than an hour. After bleaching, rinse the shirt under cool running water, then wash.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After washing, lay the damp shirt out on a flat surface. Then, squeeze dye onto the bleached areas. Add colors one at a time until you have achieved the look you desire. When finished, flip the shirt over and repeat the process on the other side. Let the dye set overnight, then rinse under cool water until it runs clear. Wash using warm water and a gentle color-safe detergent, and your new shirt will be ready for wear.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a style=\"background:#075f96;display:block;text-align:center;padding:10px 20px;max-width:400px;color:#fff;border:2px solid #075f96;transition:0.3s;margin:20px auto;border-radius:7px;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/t-shirts\/\">We Have The Blank Clothing for Tie Dye You Need!<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>Wrapping Up<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3725\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/young-man-with-a-beard-wearing-tie-and-dye-psychedelic-t-shirt.jpg\" alt=\"young man with a beard wearing tie and dye psychedelic t-shirt circle pattern\" width=\"830\" height=\"574\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/young-man-with-a-beard-wearing-tie-and-dye-psychedelic-t-shirt.jpg 830w, https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/young-man-with-a-beard-wearing-tie-and-dye-psychedelic-t-shirt-300x207.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/young-man-with-a-beard-wearing-tie-and-dye-psychedelic-t-shirt-768x531.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source: Artist Photographer 3D\/Shutterstock.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you\u2019re freshening up your own wardrobe, making gifts, or creating apparel to sell, tie dyeing colored shirts is a fun twist on a classic project. Here at The Adair Group, we have blank shirts in a wide range of colors. And, of course, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/t-shirts\/white\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">we also carry a full range of white t-shirts for tie dye<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Shop now to get started on your next project!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It seems like plain white tees get all the love when it comes to blank clothing for tie dye. You may have wondered, though, if it\u2019s possible to tie dye colored shirts. Or even black ones. Whether you are looking for ways to upcycle old apparel or you are just trying to figure out a [&hellip;]","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[9],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3732"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3732"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3732\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3733,"href":"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3732\/revisions\/3733"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3732"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3732"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3732"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}