For many in the fabric or fashion industry, reactive dyes are the way to go for textile resins and other textile chemicals. Not only do fiber reactive dyes work well on the widest range of materials — cotton, silk and many other cellulose fibers — but many reactive dyes can also be used with cold water, which means big savings in utilities since you don't have to pay for the cost of heating the water commonly used in dye baths. Reactive dyes are also more and more the dye of choice since they form a covalent bond with the fiber protein and become a part of the fiber — making the fabric safe to wash without the chance of color transfer.

Get the most out of both traditional and reactive dyes by considering the following:

1. A textile auxiliaries manufacturer who specializes in reactive and craft dyes

2. Dyes from eco-conscious companies

3. Pre-treating enzymes

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Turn to a specialty textile auxiliaries manufacturer for custom work

Textile intermediates manufacturers offer reactive dyes for specialty processes like tie-dyeing and 'painting' to keep colors separate and bright. Buying from a manufacturer that only offers reactive or other specialty dyes guarantees that you'll get a tried-and-true product and customer service to support it.

I recommend: Denim Dyes & Chemicals can get you reactive dyes complete with mixing instructions for both big and small jobs. Dharma Trading Co. features reactive fabric dyes for artists.

Get earth-friendly with 'green' textile intermediates

Whether you use textile intermediates for dyeing upholstery or denim, find an eco-friendly option. Consumers are looking more and more for 'green' products in everyday purchases, especially with the textile industry's history of eco-friendly plant derivative dyes. Prices for textile intermediates can vary greatly depending on the application, so shop application-specific textile auxiliaries manufacturers for the best deals.

I recommend: Colourtex, manufacturing dyes since the late 1960s, offers the brightest dyes and is environmentally conscious. MetroChem had three decades in the industry and offers competitive pricing.

Make the most of your textile intermediates and auxiliaries with enzymes

For quality textile enzymes and other dyestuff, buy textile auxiliaries and enzymes from properly accredited industry leaders. They often distribute from their own plant so you not only get quality enzymes, but also enzymes for the widest variety of fabrics like leather, polyester and wool.

I recommend: EnzymeIndia.com features lots of products and solid information on the use of enzymes in fabric treatment. Maps Enzymes produces and distributes enzymes and microorganisms.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask any textile chemicals manufacturer for an enzyme catalyst for use during the bleaching process. Quite often sodium hydrogen is left over from the bleaching process which can weaken the color and resiliency of the dye. Such an enzyme would break down left over sodium hydrogen.