piece-dyed vs. solution-dyed fabrics

Acrylic fibres start as a liquid acrylic polymer solution. The chemical fluid is forced through a device called a spinneret, which has many tiny holes. Long acrylic fibres are extruded during this process. Without any added dye, they come out of the spinneret sporting a generic white colour. When piece-dyed or “stock” fabrics are made, the extruded fibres are dipped into a vat of dye. Only the outer surface of the threads are penetrated by the dye colour; their interior remains white. The method produces a bright tone, and it allows manufacturers to create smaller batches of fabric using less dye. Most synthetic fibres used for textiles and carpets are dyed in this manner. Solution-dyed fibres are coloured in an entirely different way. When they’re being made, the dye is added to the chemical solution before it goes into the spinneret. Fibres that are extruded during this process have dye thoroughly mixed into them. The colour doesn’t just sit on the surface; it goes all the way through the fibre. It’s easier to understand the difference between solution-dyed fabrics and piece-dyed ones if you compare them to carrots and radishes. If you cut open a radish, you’ll see that the inside is white despite the outer peel’s bright red hue. However, when you cut a carrot, it’s orange to its core. Solution-dyed fabrics are like carrots. The acrylic threads and yarns created with solution-dyed fibres eventually become fabrics which share the same thoroughly permeated colour qualities.