Natural Indigo Powder
Indigofera tinctoria · India · Approx. 35–42% indigotin
Natural indigo produces blues from pale sky shades to deep navy. Prepared in India from fresh Indigofera tinctoria leaves through a traditional pigment-extraction process.
Indigo is also an important part of our own dyeing and teaching at AppleOak. Working with it means getting to know your vat: its condition, your fibre and the way you dip all influence the blue you bring out.
At a glance
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Botanical source: Indigofera tinctoria
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Plant part: Leaves, processed to extract the pigment
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Form: Natural indigo pigment powder
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Origin: India
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Indigotin content: Approximately 35–42%
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Colour range: Pale blue through to deep navy
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Suitable fibres: Cotton, linen, hemp, wool, silk and other natural fibres, using an appropriate vat
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Mordant: Not required for indigo itself
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Preparation: Requires reduction in an indigo vat for textile dyeing
Understanding this indigo
Indigo is an insoluble pigment. Adding the blue powder to water alone will not make a working textile dye bath.
For dyeing, the pigment must first be reduced in a suitable alkaline vat. This converts it into a soluble form that can enter the fibre. When the fibre is lifted into the air, the indigo oxidises and turns blue.
“100% natural indigo” describes its natural origin, rather than 100% indigotin purity. This product contains approximately 35–42% indigotin, the principal blue colouring component.
Colour & results
Paler blues and deeper shades can be developed through the strength and condition of the vat, dipping time and repeated dips, with oxidation between each dip.
My advice is to pay attention to the vat as well as the colour. Adding more powder will not correct a vat that needs its reduction, pH or temperature adjusted.
Indigo can also be layered with other natural dyes to produce greens, purples and more complex colours. Any mordant requirements for the other dye still apply.
Colourfastness: Indigo can give excellent lightfastness and good washfastness when properly applied and finished. Surface colour may rub off, particularly in deep shades; good fibre preparation, controlled dyeing and thorough washing help reduce this.
How much do I need?
Choose your vat recipe and working volume before deciding how much indigo to buy.
The amount required depends on the vat method, pigment strength, quantity of fibre and depth of shade.
A maintained vat can be used for successive dyeing sessions and replenished as needed. Keep notes of additions and the amount of fibre dyed to understand how your vat performs.
General guidance for dyeing with indigo
Scour your fibres thoroughly and wet them before dyeing. Indigo itself does not require a mordant.
Prepare the pigment and build your vat following a complete recipe. This indigo can be used in fermentation vats, sig vats, fructose vats, iron or mineral vats, and chemical reduction vats using sodium dithionite (hydros) or thiourea dioxide. Choose a method appropriate to your studio, ethics and fibre.
Temperature and pH requirements vary between vat systems. Wool and silk need particular care with alkalinity; one set of conditions will not suit every fibre.
Allow the vat to reduce and settle before dyeing. Lower the fibre gently into the liquid, avoiding unnecessary splashing and keeping it clear of sediment at the bottom.
Lift out carefully and allow the colour to oxidise fully before dipping again. Build the shade gradually (chemical vats are unsuitable for building colour), then rinse and wash thoroughly, following the finishing instructions for your fibre and vat method.
Other uses
This powder can also be used for pigment work, including paints, inks and decorative finishes.
For these applications, grind or disperse the pigment thoroughly into a suitable binder. The binder holds the pigment to the surface; simply mixing it with water does not provide a durable finish. Test compatibility and performance on your chosen surface.
About this material
Our indigo is prepared in India from Indigofera tinctoria, a shrub traditionally cultivated for its indigo-bearing leaves.
All batches undergo analytical controls to verify their natural origin, supporting traceability. The approximately 35–42% indigotin content reflects the pigment strength of this natural material.
Storage & safe handling
Store tightly sealed in a cool, dry place, away from moisture and direct sunlight.
Avoid breathing fine powder. Handle carefully in a well-ventilated workspace and use suitable particulate respiratory protection where dust cannot be adequately controlled.
Use dedicated dyeing equipment. Wear protective gloves and a mask when preparing and working with alkaline vats, and follow the safety instructions for all reducing agents and additives.
Keep away from food, children and pets. Supplied for textile dyeing and craft pigment use; not for consumption or cosmetic use.
Packaging
We take care to pack as sustainably as we can, choosing packaging that protects your dye materials while working towards lower-impact options. Pouch materials may vary with pack size and availability, as our preferred options are not always easy to source.
The glass jars shown in our photographs are for display and are not included.
Learn & explore
Join us in The Natural Dyers & Growers Academy to explore indigo vats, share your results and get support from fellow natural dyers and growers.
