The Color Lab Guide
Custom Tie Dye Kit Instructions
Use these custom tie dye kit instructions to choose the right one-page guide for your kit, download the correct PDF, and start with the most important setup reminders before dye day.
Pick the right sheet
Choose your custom tie dye kit instructions
The Color Lab has two printable instruction sheets. Use the bottle dye guide when your kit includes squeeze bottles that need water. Use the ice dye guide when your kit includes dry dye powder that gets sprinkled over ice.
Custom tie dye kit instructions
Choose this sheet for standard custom kits with squeeze bottles. Mix dye with city/tap water, protect your surface, apply color slowly, and avoid over-saturating one area.
- For kits with dye bottles
- Add water to fill each bottle carefully
- Do not use well water
Ice dye instructions
Choose this sheet for ice dye kits. Keep the dye powder dry, use bagged ice or city/tap-water ice, sprinkle the powder over the shirt, and let the color set while the ice melts.
- For kits with dry dye powder
- Do not add water to the dye containers
- Do not use ice from well water
Before any tie-dye project
Put on gloves first. Then cover your table or counter with a cut-open trash bag, disposable cover, drip tray, or another waterproof barrier because dye can stain surfaces quickly.
Keep colors bright
Apply color slowly and evenly. Also, avoid pushing too many opposite colors together because red and green, orange and blue, or yellow and purple can create muddy brown areas.
Bottle dye vs. ice dye: what is different?
Add city/tap water to the bottles, shake well, and squeeze dye into the folds slowly.
Do not add water to the dye containers. Sprinkle dry dye over the shirt, add ice, and let the melting ice move the color through the fabric.
For more inspiration, you can also read this outside guide to ice dye basics, after reviewing The Color Lab instructions for your specific kit. Learn more about ice dye basics.
Need folding help?
After downloading the right custom tie dye kit instructions, use our folding and color tips for spiral, crumple, bullseye, stripes, heart, and color-blocking ideas.