Which Washfast Acid colors are pure, and not mixtures?

Acid dyes are used on animal fibers such as wool, in addition to silk and nylon. They should not be used on cellulose fibers such as cotton, nor on synthetics other than nylon.

PRO Chemical & Dye sells the PRO WashFast Acid dyes shown in the table below, which they indicate are pure, unmixed colors. They also sell mixtures, which are not listed below. Most of these pure dyes are the Nylomine Dyes referred to in Karren Brito's SHIBORI: creating color and texture on silk. Nylomine is just one of many textile dye brand names that have been applied to these dyes, but, as the name indicates, these are dyes that tend to work well on nylon.

All of these dyes have been listed as being classified as fast milling dyes, with the exception of acid black #172, which is listed elsewhere as a 1:2 metal complex dye. However, I suspect that some may belong to another subgroup of acid dyes. Note that, in spite of the name, not all of these dyes are particularly washfast (see washfastness data on the lightfastness page); as a rule, you should wash fabrics dyed with these dyes in cool water only. If washfastness is your top priority, I strongly recommend using Lanaset dyes or boiling your protein fiber in Remazol dyes.

Equivalent Names for Purchasing Jacquard's acid dyes that are on this list

Acid Yellow 19
(602 Bright Yellow)
Acid Red 52
(620 Hot Fuchsia)
Acid Red 266
(617 Cherry Red)
Acid Blue 7
(624 Turquoise)
Acid Blue 25
(622 Sapphire Blue)
Acid Blue 113
(626 Navy Blue)
Acid Green 25
(631 Teal)

A few of the dyes in Jacquard's Acid Dyes lineup are the same as ProChem & Ciba's Washfast Acid dyes; for example, ProChem's Rhodamine Red B is the same as Jacquard's Hot Fuchsia, or Colour Index Acid Red 52. Color Index Acid Blue 7 is ProChem's Turquoise and Jacquard's Turquoise, and Colour Index Acid Blue 25 is ProChem's National Blue and Jacquard's Sapphire Blue, while Colour Index Acid Blue 113 is ProChem's Navy and Jacquard's Navy Blue. However, most of dyes in the two lines of dyes are completely different chemicals. It is worth noting that some acid dyes cannot be used together. The dyes in each brand of dye are selected for compatibility, within that brand, but dyes that are found in only one brand just might be incompatible with those found only in the other.

You can purchase PRO brand dyes from PRO Chemical & Dye or from one of their retailers. Maiwa Handprints sells Ciba Washfast Acid Dyes, which seem likely to be the same.

Wash Fast Acid Dyes

some alternate names	Colour Index name	PROchem #	PROchem name	notes (see below)
	Acid Yellow 7	107A	Flavine Yellow G	may not be Nylomine, but is pure
	Acid Yellow 19	119	Sun Yellow	KB^*
Nylomine Yellow AG-D	Acid Yellow 135	135	Yellow
Nylomine yellow A-4R	Acid Yellow 199	199c	Golden Yellow	KB
	Acid Orange 33	233	Bright Orange	KB
	Acid Red 138	338	Magenta
	Acid Red 249	349	Fuchsia	KB
	Acid Red 151	351	Bright Red	KB calls this pure one 'the bad actor'
	Acid red 266	366	Red	KB
Rhodamine B	Acid red 52	370	Rhodamine Red B	fluorescent
	Acid Red 131	390	Polar Red	not Nylomine or Lanaset; sold with Lanaset dyes
Nylomine Navy C-2R	Acid Blue 113	413	Navy	KB
Anthraquinone Blue	Acid blue 25	425c	National Blue	KB
NYLOMINE Blue B-3GA	Acid blue 40	440	Bright Blue	KB
Alphazurine A	Acid Blue 7	478	Turquoise	KB
Coomassie Blue G250	Acid Blue 90	490	Brilliant Blue	JT calls this eye-poppingly clear!
	Acid Black 172	672	Jet Black	KB; 1:2 Metal Complex; probably contains chromium
Nylomine Acid Green PG	Acid Green 25	725	Forest Green	KB
	Acid Violet17	817	Brilliant Violet	KB

*"KB" indicates that this color is listed among the pure manufactured "nylomine" dyes used by Karren Brito in her SHIBORI: creating color and texture on silk.

Thanks to Jerry Trapp and to PRO Chemical and Dye for sharing information about the Washfast Acid dyes.

Color chips in above table are approximate at best; please request a printed color chart from your dye supplier.