Colour can be added at three stages of production, each with different flexibility, cost and effects. Here is when to use each.
Yarn dyeing
Yarn is dyed before knitting or weaving. Essential for stripes, checks and colour-woven designs where colour must be in the yarn. See dyed yarn.
Piece dyeing
Greige fabric is dyed after construction — efficient for solid colours and lets you hold greige and decide colour late. Buy greige fabric and dye downstream.
Garment dyeing
Finished garments are dyed — giving soft, lived-in effects and very late colour decisions, popular in fashion. Needs garments and yarn that dye evenly.
Choosing a stage
Colour-woven/knit designs → yarn dyeing; solid colours at volume → often piece dyeing; fashion effects and late colour calls → garment dyeing. Read more on grey vs dyed yarn.
Whichever route you take, we supply the yarn or greige fabric to match.
More in our yarn guides and glossary.