View source for Dye

A '''dye''' can generally be described as a [[colour]]ed substance that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is being applied, or a material that imparts colour to other substances (e.g. [[food]], [[fabric]], skin, [[paint]]s) thus making them (normally) more attractive or distinctive.

The dye is usually used as an aqueous solution and may require a [[mordant]] to improve the fastness of the dye on the [[fibre]]. (''In contrast, a [[pigment]] generally has no affinity for the substrate, and is insoluble'')

Dyes are obtained from either [[animal]], [[vegetable]] or [[mineral]] origin with no or very little processing. By far the greatest source of dyes has been from the plant kingdom, notably roots, [[berry|berries]], bark, leaves and [[wood]], but only a few have ever been used on a commercial scale.

==Internal Links==
''See Also:''
* [[dyeing with beetroot]]
* [[food dye]]
* [[dye colours]]
* [[dyeing]]
* [[pigment]]
==External Links==
* http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dye
[[category:dyes]]