Bengala is a mud dye made of natural minerals derived from the soil. Using traditional methods and modern technology, it brings us ancient colors as a new sustainable textile dye for fabrics, natural fibers, and paper. No toxic chemicals, no heat involved for Bengala dyeing.
Iron oxide pigment found in Paleolithic paintings estimated to be 20,000 years old in Lascaux Caves, France and Altamira Caves, Spain.
Color of the Earth
Bengala is made from iron oxide, naturally found in soil. An ancient color made from the oldest pigments, it has been used since the Old Stone Age. It is said that the greatest quantity of red soil on earth is iron oxide. The name Bengala comes from the Bengal region in India-Bangladesh, where the process was found.
Environmentally Safe
You only need water. No heat or chemical substances are necessary. You will see that as you knead the fabric in the dye bath, the water starts to become clear because all of the pigments transfer from the water into the fabric. Left over dye solution can simply be drained back into the ground as part of the soil it came from.
Natural, Gentle Properties
The color is stable once the fabric is dried. It has gentle UV protection, and the color doesn't fade in the sun.
Bengala Color Chart
Guide to Bengala Dye Products
Here you can find PDF guides for each Bengala dye product. Click the links below to download instructions.
| How to Use Bengala Dye (PDF) |
How to Use a Pre-Fixer (PDF) |
How to Dye Wool (PDF) |
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How to Use Aijozome Indigo (PDF) |
How to Use Susuzome Soot (PDF) |
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How to Use Resist Paste (PDF) |
How to Use a Thickener (PDF) |
Guide to Bengala Dye (Video) |
Cloth of Time
Chronicle of Craftsmanship with Ancient Dye from Japan
Cloth of Time
Chronicle of Craftsmanship with Ancient Dye from Japan
Itajime Shibori
Japanese board-clamped resist dyeing
Itome Shibori
Thread-bound resist dyeing
Hikizome
Brush resist dyeing using resist paste with a hake
Ombré dyeing
Creating a gradient of multiple colors
Skein dyeing
Coloring wool yarn by adding alum water
Tsutsugaki
Japanese freehand resist dyeing with resist paste
Shibori
Tie dyeing
Wood Painting
Application of wood finish with added oil
Katazome
Japanese stencil resist dyeing using thickener
Tsutsugaki
Japanese freehand resist dyeing with rice paste
Yarn Dyeing
Coloring cotton yarn with a brush
Itome Shibori
Thread-bound resist dyeing on pleats
Stencil
Coloring through a water-resistant stencil using a thickener
Exterior Painting
Application of paint mixed with oil
Katazome
Japanese stencil resist dyeing using thickener
Wood Block Printing
Printing with wooden blocks using thickener
Lotus Flower Dyeing
Board-clamped with a special pattern
