Sappanwood Extract

Shepherd Textiles Sappanwood Extract Natural Dye is made from the heartwood of the sappanwood tree, caesalpinia sappan. Sappanwood contains a powerful dyestuff called brazilin that produces beautiful shades of candy red and dark mulberry wine. Europeans first encountered brazilin in a related species, the brazilwood (paubrasilia echinata). However, the dye was so highly coveted for the beautiful reds it produces that South America’s forests were almost totally cleared of brazilwood by the beginning of the 19th century. Sappanwood contains the same dyestuff, but it is managed and harvested more sustainably in South Asia. Our extract is a concentrated form of the heartwood and is very strong. Use at 5% weight-of-fabric (WOF) on fiber mordanted with alum for medium reds, or 10% for very dark shades. Adding an alkaline modifier to the dyebath will shift the color toward purple, and an iron mordant toward ruddy purple-reds. Certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and appropriate for use on fibers that will be labeled “organic.”

Before using, please read our Guide to Dyeing with Sappanwood Extract for color recipes, background, and safety information.

Product of India.