Carpet Colors and Dyes

Today, the options for carpet colors and dyes have never been better! While people were limited years ago, new fibers, technologies, and processes have allowed manufacturers to create amazing options. The way in which carpet is colored is that the fabric, yarn, or fiber is impregnated with the dye of choice. For this to occur, the manufacturer can dye the carpeting prior to tufting of the fiber taking place, which is the pre-dye process or before the second backing and finishing application is done, known as the post-dye process.

Pre-Dye Process

The first option for carpet color to be achieved with dye involves the following options:

Yarn

When carpet yarn is dyed, the process starts before the carpet is manufactured. This particular process is broken down in one of two ways; solid color or space.

Solid Color - With solid color, the manufacturer would create carpet color using one of four techniques. These techniques for color include pad, jet, stock, and skein.

Space - In this case, various colors are added or printed throughout the entire length of the carpet yarn and again, prior to manufacturing.

Solution

The second option is when synthetic yarn is dyed with a special colored solution that is actually pushed through the yarn. When shopping for new carpeting, when you see carpet defined as "colorfast," this is the process that was used.

Post-Dye Process

This second option for creating color in carpeting happens after the manufacturing process, which involves a continuous, printing, or beck dyeing process. The breakdown of these three methods is as follows:

Continuous

With this application, carpet is dyed using an application with a special applicator that moves in what is known as an "open width form". The benefit is that virtually any quantity of carpet can be colored and in a consistent manner.

Printing

The process of printing to give carpet color involves an application that uses an inkjet, roller, or screen, which moves over the surface of the carpet.

Beck

Also referred to as piece dying, the carpet is dyed in large becks but only after the tufting is complete but also prior to finishing processes being done.

Other Considerations

Although carpet of many materials can now be dyed, the most common is nylon. Regardless, it is important to choose a reputable manufacturer, one that has experience with carpet color and dyes and a company that will look at the fiber, construction, backing, and other factors so the correct dye process can be chosen. In fact, many manufacturers will also consider the buyer's situation to include things such as heavy traffic, concern over fading, etc.

Keep in mind when looking at all the options for colored carpet is that if you need to hide dirt and soil, then you want to go with either multicolor blends or mid-range colors. Of course, the aesthetics is also an important consideration in that you want to choose carpeting that will look gorgeous but also give you years of versatility. For instance, if you have a room with a more formal look and feel, warm colors are an excellent choice but if you have a casual look or prefer a look that is calming, neutral or softer colors would work best.