Main components : indigotin, clay.

Use :
This pigment is ideal for soap making, fine arts and paints. It cannot be used for dyeing.

The plant :
Polygonum tinctorium Aiton is an annual herbaceous species of 40 to 80 cm height.
This species originating from Asia was extensively grown for the manufacture of natural indigo in tropical areas of China, Vietnam and Japan where it is still used for traditional textiles.
It was introduced into several countries in Europe where it is well acclimated and grown.

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Use :
Textile dyeing : the natural indigo dyes provide ranges of blue shades, from very clear to dark, with a very good lightfastness and washfastness. Their use in textile needs to turn them from an oxidized state (blue pigment, insoluble) to a reduced state (greenish yellow pigment, soluble) which will allow to fix on fibers before being again oxidized (by the oxygen of air – a magic step that develops the blue color). These reactions can be processed in natural vats by using our fructose syrup and hydrated lime for instance (1-2-3 vat type) or by using a chemical reducing agent (sodium hydrosulphite or thiourea). The natural indigos can be easily combined with other dye extracts (yellow, red for example) to widen the range of shades (green, purple…).
Instructions and downloads : Preparation of indigo vats & dyeing instructions, advanced information on indigo natural vats (only in French, sorry).

Paintings, decoration, fine arts : the indigo is then directly used as a natural pigment, after homogenizing into the selected binder or medium. It may be necessary to grind the pigment into the medium in order to develop the colour and avoid big particles.

Other uses : cabinetmaking, ink.

The plants :
Description and information on the indigo plants providing these indigos are available on the corresponding single-products.

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Use :
Textile dyeing : the natural indigo dyes provide ranges of blue shades, from very clear to dark, with a very good lightfastness and washfastness. Their use in textile needs to turn them from an oxidized state (blue pigment, insoluble) to a reduced state (greenish yellow pigment, soluble) which will allow to fix on fibers before being again oxidized (by the oxygen of air – a magic step that develops the blue color). These reactions can be processed in natural vats by using our fructose syrup and hydrated lime for instance (1-2-3 vat type) or by using a chemical reducing agent (sodium hydrosulphite or thiourea). The natural indigos can be easily combined with other dye extracts (yellow, red for example) to widen the range of shades (green, purple…).
Instructions and downloads : Preparation of indigo vats & dyeing instructions, advanced information on indigo natural vats (only in French, sorry).

Paintings, decoration, fine arts : the indigo is then directly used as a natural pigment, after homogenizing into the selected binder or medium. It may be necessary to grind the pigment into the medium in order to develop the colour and avoid big particles.

Other uses : cabinetmaking, ink.

The plants :
Description and information on the indigo plants providing these indigos are available on the corresponding single-products.

Go back to Natural Extracts & Natural Dyes

Main components : indigotin.

Use :
Textile dyeing : the indigo dye provides ranges of blue shades, from very clear to dark, with good lightfastness and washfastness. Its use in textile needs to turn it from an oxidized state (blue pigment, insoluble) to a reduced state (greenish yellow pigment, soluble) which will allow to fix on fibers before being again oxidized (by the oxygen of air – a magic step that develops the blue color). These reactions can be processed in natural vats by using our fructose syrup and hydrated lime for instance (or iron, henna or reducing fruits natural vats) or by using a chemical reducing agent (sodium hydrosulphite or thiourea).
Instructions and downloads : Preparation of indigo vats & dyeing instructions, advanced information on indigo natural vats (only in French, sorry).
The indigo can be easily combined with other dye extracts (yellow, red for example) to widen the pallet of shades (green, purple…).

Paintings, decoration, fine arts : the indigo is then directly used as a natural pigment, after homogenizing into the selected binder or medium.

Other uses : cabinetmaking, ink.

Products not intended for food.

The plant :
Polygonum tinctorium Aiton is an annual herbaceous species of 40 to 80 cm height.
This species originating from Asia was extensively grown for the manufacture of natural indigo in tropical areas of China, Vietnam and Japan where it is still used for traditional textiles.
It was introduced into several countries in Europe where it is well acclimated and grown.

Go back to Natural Extracts & Natural Dyes

The main dye component is indigotin +/-  indirubin

Uses :
Textile dyeing : the natural indigo dye provides ranges of blue shades, from very clear to dark, with a very good lightfastness and washfastness. Its use in textile needs to turn it from an oxidized state (blue pigment, insoluble) to a reduced state (greenish yellow pigment, soluble) which will allow to fix on fibers before being again oxidized (by the oxygen of air – a magic step that develops the blue color). These reactions can be processed in natural vats by using our fructose syrup and hydrated lime for instance (1-2-3 vat type).
Instructions and downloads : Preparation of indigo vats & dyeing instructions, advanced information on indigo natural vats (only in French, sorry).
The indigo can be easily combined with other dye extracts (yellow, red for example) to widen the pallet of shades (green, purple…).
Woad indigo is one of the main dyes used, as plain, ground or overdyeing, for numerous historical shades as described in the books Paul Gout’s 157 colours or those of Antoine Janot’s 85 colours.

Paintings, decoration, fine arts : the indigo is then directly used as a natural pigment, after homogenizing into the selected binder or medium. It may be necessary to grind the pigment into the medium in order to develop the colour and avoid big particles.

Other uses : cabinetmaking, ink.
This product is not intended for food.

The plant :
Woad (Isatis tinctoria L.) is a biennial herbaceous plant.
In its first year, it grows as a rosette of medium green, oblong, generally hairless, alternately arranged leaves. The fresh leaves of this first year are used to produce indigo in powder or paste form, or to prepare compost products (agranats and cocagnes).
During the second year, grows a stem 1 to 1.5 meters tall, bearing beautiful yellow flowers that will later provide seeds, that can be used to produce an oil of interest for cosmetics.

A plant in the history of humanity and industrial know-how :
Woad has accompanied the history of men, as a source of blue dye and for medicinal uses. For many years, the use of this plant was recognized as dating back to the Neolithic period (2200 to 6000 years ago), but a research from 2025 has demonstrated traces of the plant and its indigo on stone tools dating back approximately of 34,000 years (Paleolithic), collected in Georgia, probably the origin area of this plant. Woad has been intensely used as a coloring agent fore more than five centuries – from the Middle Ages to the 19th century – but its use as a pigment only appears at the end of this period. This long history is marked by various developments concerning the raw material, the processes of transformation and use, as well as the form of the dyes themselves. It has often been related to economic stakes and did contribute to the prosperity of some French regions, particularly in Occitanie (the ‘Pays of cocagnes), Picardy, as well as in United kingdom and Italy. This story continues today, establishing woad as a source of natural and renewable ingredients, agricultural diversification, and a circular economy… and we will be glad that you can contribute to this history!

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This natural indigo, with no equivalent in indigotin content, is the result of a scientific project, based on both traditions and new technologies.

100 % natural blue pigment, manufactured from fresh leaves.
Main components : natural indigotin min 50%. Product in powder.
Product details : Indigo de Guadeloupe – Presentation (in French only).

Use :
Textile dyeing : lindigo dyeing allows to obtain a whole range of blues, from the very light to the very dark, of a very great solidity to the washing and the light.
Its use in textile requires to make it pass from an oxidized state (blue pigment, insoluble) to a reduced state (greenish yellow dye, soluble) which will allow its fixing on fibers before being oxidized again (thanks to the oxygen of the air – a magic stage which develops the blue color). These reactions are obtained by preparing natural tanks (using fructose syrup and slaked lime for example – tank type 1-3-2).
You can use our fructose optimised dyeing recipe (based on the principle of 1-3-2 dyebaths).
The indigo can be easily combined with other dye extracts (yellow, red for example) to widen the pallet of shades (green, purple…).

Paintings, decoration, fine arts : the indigo is then directly used as a natural pigment, after homogenizing into the selected binder or medium. It may be necessary to grind the pigment into the medium in order to develop the colour and avoid big particles.

Other uses : cabinetmaking, ink.

Products not intended for food or dietary supplements.

The plant :
Indigofera suffruticosa Mill. is a shrub of 60-120 cm high. Its origin is not well known.
This species native to Central America was the main source of indigo for the pre-Columbian civilizations of Mexico and Peru. It has been intensively cultivated and introduced in many tropical regions.

It differs from Indigofera tinctoria in having softer green foliage, crescent-shaped pods, adaptation to mid-altitude areas and often a higher indigotine content.

The production of natural indigo developped in Carribean islands and especially in Guadeloupe from 1630. In 1696, 125 indigo farms were producing natural indigo, mainly for the European manufactures. The renewal of this indigo from Guadeloupe is, therefore, part of this inheritage.

The main dye component is indigotin – min 44%.

Use :
Textile dyeing : the indigo dye provides ranges of blue shades, from very clear to dark, with a very good lightfastness and washfastness. Its use in textile needs to turn it from an oxidized state (blue pigment, insoluble) to a reduced state (greenish yellow pigment, soluble) which will allow to fix on fibers before being again oxidized (by the oxygen of air – a magic step that develops the blue color). These reactions can be processed in natural vats by using our fructose syrup and hydrated lime for instance (1-2-3 vat type) or by using a chemical reducing agent (sodium hydrosulphite or thiourea). The indigo can be easily combined with other dye extracts (yellow, red for example) to widen the pallet of shades (green, purple…).

Paintings, decoration, fine arts : the indigo is then directly used as a natural pigment, after homogenizing into the selected binder or medium. It may be necessary to grind the pigment into the medium in order to develop the colour and avoid big particles.

Other uses : cabinetmaking, ink.

Products not intended for food.

The plant :
Indigofera suffruticosa Mill. is a shrub of 60-120 cm high.
It distinguishes itself from Indigofera tinctoria L. by a foliage of a softer green, by its pods in the shape of growing, by an adaptation to zones of average height and, often, by a rate of indigotine superior.
This species originating from central America was the main indigo used by old mexican and peruvian civilizations. It was intensively grown and distributed into several tropical regions.

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The main dye component is indigotin.
All batches of indigo tinctoria received are now submitted to analytcal controls, including a checking of the natural origin, in order to provide a guarantee to our customers and fight against increasing falsifications of natural indigos.

Use :
Textile dyeing : the indigo dye provides ranges of blue shades, from very clear to dark, with a very good lightfastness and washfastness. Its use in textile needs to turn it from an oxidized state (blue pigment, insoluble) to a reduced state (greenish yellow pigment, soluble) which will allow to fix on fibers before being again oxidized (by the oxygen of air – a magic step that develops the blue color). These reactions can be processed in natural vats by using our fructose syrup and hydrated lime for instance (1-2-3 vat type) or by using a chemical reducing agent (sodium hydrosulphite or thiourea). The indigo can be easily combined with other dye extracts (yellow, red for example) to widen the pallet of shades (green, purple…).
Instructions and downloads : Preparation of indigo vats & dyeing instructions, advanced information on indigo natural vats (only in French, sorry).
Paintings, decoration, fine arts : the indigo is then directly used as a natural pigment, after homogenizing into the selected binder or medium. It may be necessary to grind the pigment into the medium in order to develop the colour and avoid big particles.
Other uses : cabinetmaking, ink.

Products not intended for food.

The plant :
Indigofera tinctoria L. is a shrub of 60 cm high.
Its origin is not well known.It could be situated in India. Its area was doubtless widened by the culture for the obtaining of indigo, followed by its naturalization. It has now a pantropicale distribution.
Other species of Indigofera are source of natural indigo.

Indigofera tinctoria L. distinguishes itself, in particular of Indigofera suffruticosa Mill., by its foliage of a more greyish green and by its straight pods.
The plant and the dye in the indigo were already mentioned in the oldest Sanskrit papers. The dye in the indigo stayed “the queen of the dyes ” until the development of the indigo of synthesis at the end of the XIXth century.

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