How to Dye Canvas

Co-authored by Janice Tieperman Reviewed by Jeanine Hattas Wilson

Last Updated: October 20, 2023 References

Canvas is a common fabric with many uses. It can be recolored easily, and there are several ways to dye it effectively. For a more hands-off approach, a washing machine can be used to dye canvas. If you would prefer a manual method, you can also use a pan of hot water or a paintable dye paste to recolor your canvas. Regardless of its purpose, canvas can be easily dyed to add some flair to any creative project.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Dyeing Canvas Without a Washing Machine

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1
Fill a bucket or pan with hot water. Fill the container less than halfway, as the water level will rise significantly once you add in the canvas material. Make sure that the container has enough space for both the canvas and the dye solution, as this is where the dyeing process will occur. ^{[1]
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- Be careful to avoid spilling any hot water on yourself as you fill the pan.
If you are using dye powder, it must be dissolved before it can be added to the pan of water. Add the dye powder or pearls to a smaller container of warm water. Stir the dye thoroughly and make sure it is dissolved in the small container before pouring it into the larger pan.^{[2]
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In a separate container, stir the salt into the hot water until it has fully dissolved. With this complete, you won’t have to wait for the salt to dissolve after adding to the dye solution.^{[3]
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Pour the salt mixture into the dye solution. Once you are sure that all of the salt has dissolved, combine the saltwater with the dye mixture by pouring it into the dye pan or bucket.^{[4]
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- The salt plays an important role in transferring the dye onto the canvas, which will make the dyeing process more efficient.^{[5]
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5
Place the canvas cloth into the bucket or pan. While wearing rubber gloves, submerge your canvas cloth completely in the dye solution.
- Have some spare towels nearby in case the pan overflows with excess dye solution.
- Wear rubber gloves at all times to prevent any of the dye solution from touching your hands.^{[6]
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This will be the most time consuming part of the process, as you will want to keep the canvas in the dye solution until the material becomes your desired color. Adjust the fabric once every 15 minutes until the canvas reaches your preferred shade.^{[7]
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Pour running water over the canvas. Once your canvas has reached the perfect shade, rinse it thoroughly under warm water until the running water going through the canvas looks clear.^{[8]
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- Depending on the size of your canvas, this may take several minutes to complete.^{[9]
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8
Wash the canvas. Run a normal wash cycle in your washing machine with gentle detergent and hot water to clean the material.^{[10]
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- Avoid washing any other materials or items of clothing with the canvas to prevent the risk of any staining.^{[11]
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Dry the canvas naturally. Allowing the canvas to air-dry will help the material maintain its sturdiness. Find a clean, open area to hang up the canvas and leave it to dry.^{[12]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using a Washing Machine to Dye Canvas

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Before beginning the dyeing process, you will want to be using a clean piece of canvas material. Any dirt could negatively impact the dyeing process.^{[13]
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Research source} Run a regular load of wash with hot water to effectively clean your canvas.^{[14]
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Research source} Once you have washed the canvas, let it air-dry.
This can be done manually, or by running a soak cycle in the washing machine. If you use a washing machine, you will also want to finish the soaking process with a drain and spin cycle.^{[15]
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Pour in the entire bottle of dye. At this point, be sure to pour the liquid dye directly into the detergent compartment. This process should be the same for both front-loading and top-loading washing machines. Start the cycle once the dye has been added to the machine.^{[16]
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- Add a tablespoon of laundry detergent to help the dye solution soak more evenly into the canvas.^{[17]
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- When using a washing machine to dye, it will be easiest to use a bottle of liquid dye.^{[18]
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After pouring in the dye bottle, add the same amount of water to the detergent compartment. For example, if you pour one bottle of liquid dye into the machine, you’ll also want to pour in one bottle’s worth of hot water.^{[19]
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In a separate container, mix one cup of regular salt into four cups of hot water.^{[20]
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Research source} While salt does not make the dye more long-lasting, it helps to coax the dye into the canvas. You may want to use a finer salt to speed up the dissolving process.^{[21]
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Ten minutes into the cycle, pour the salt solution into the detergent compartment of your washing machine.^{[22]
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Research source} Depending on the type of washing machine you have, you may have to pause the cycle in order to add the solution to the wash cycle.
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Wash the canvas again. Once the dyeing wash cycle has finished with gentle laundry detergent to do a wash cycle with the newly dyed canvas. The cycle can be done with warm water.^{[23]
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- Try to do this immediately after the dyeing wash cycle.^{[24]
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Once the dyed canvas has been rewashed, allow the material to air-dry in a large, open space. This location may depend on the size of your canvas. A clothesline can be an effective way to dry your canvas, but you will want to make sure that it does not rain while you are hanging it out to dry.^{[25]
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Clean out your washing machine. To remove any excess dye stains from inside the machine, pour 1-2 cups of bleach into the detergent compartment. You will want to set your washing machine to the highest water level possible before starting a hot water cycle. Place a few old rags or towels into the machine before starting the load.^{[26]
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- Be sure to choose any items you don't mind getting stained, as these items will be stained with any residual dye solution in the cycle.^{[27]
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- You can substitute vinegar for bleach, if necessary.^{[28]
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- Once the load finishes, use vinegar to clean away any remaining traces of dye.^{[29]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Painting with Dye Paste

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1
Mix dye thickening powder with one cup of water. You will want to take five and a half tablespoons of the dye thickening powder and mix it with one cup of warm water in a plastic container. Stir thoroughly until the mixture becomes a glue-like substance (i.e, rubber cement). This mixture, when combined with the dye powder, will make the dye easier to apply to a canvas.^{[30]
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- Check if the plastic container comfortably holds the mixture. Ideally, you will want the initial dye paste mixture to only fill the container about halfway.^{[31]
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- Add water if you would prefer the mixture to be thinner.^{[32]
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You will want to add at least 1-2 teaspoons of dye powder to the mixture. Depending on the size of your canvas, you may want to add more dye powder.^{[33]
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Research source} It is better to start with a lower amount, since you can always add in more dye powder later.
Add one tablespoon of dye activation powder into the dye paste. This powder will look white, but it will allow the dye paste to stick more effectively to your canvas. You will want to stir the powder thoroughly until there is no powder residue left in the mixture.^{[34]
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Use a brush to apply the dye paste to the canvas. Using long and even strokes, start painting the canvas.There is no specific brush size that you will need to use when painting, but you should keep in mind your canvas size when choosing a brush.
- Since this is a manual process, apply as much or as little paint as you want until you are satisfied with the appearance of the canvas.^{[35]
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- Due to the nature of this method, only the painted side of the canvas will be dyed.^{[36]
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Once you have finished painting the canvas, place it on a clean, open surface to allow the dye paste to dry. The drying time may depend on the amount of dye paste that you used during the painting process.^{[37]
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Using an iron, use long, smooth motions to press even amounts of heat into the canvas. If you add heat before washing the canvas, it will help the dye color to stay sharp.^{[38]
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Use a cold water cycle when washing the painted canvas to allow the newly dyed material to be clean.^{[39]
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Research source} Make sure that the cycle is long enough for the canvas to receive a thorough wash.
To maintain the shape of the canvas, you will want to avoid drying it in a machine. Place the dyed canvas in an open area so that it can dry completely. It does not matter if the canvas is left inside or outside so long as it doesn't get wet.^{[40]
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Things You'll Need

Bucket or pan
Dye (powder or liquid)
Salt
Small container
Rubber gloves
Laundry detergent
Plastic container
Dye thickening powder
Dye activation powder
Brush
Iron

Tips

It may be helpful if you know the material of your canvas before starting the dyeing process. Most canvases are made of cotton, linen, or duck (cotton with more fiber threading).^{[41]
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Research source} Since cotton and linen canvases are plant-based, they are both receptive to dye.^{[42]
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Research source} The main difference between cotton and linen canvas material is that cotton is cheaper and provides more flexibility, which can be useful for art projects.^{[43]
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The painting method of dyeing is most effective with a cotton canvas.^{[44]
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Warnings

For a clear and consistent color on your canvas after the dyeing process, you should aim to use canvas material that has not already been dyed another color.

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