Make Natural Dyes for Handmade Paper: Cochineal Red Dyestuff
Natural Dyes with Cochineal Extract Dyestuff
Expand handmade paper’s creative possibilities by experimenting with natural dyes. The process requires little more than some dedicated wares that could be picked up at the thrift store and dyestuff (the matter that you will extract the dye from). This tutorial focuses on cochineal (koch-i-NEEL) dye which is extracted from an insect—the dactylopius coccus beetle. Cochineal extract can dye paper a lovely red color. This little insect has been used for centuries to color natural fabrics all over the world.
Keep reading to see how to apply this beautiful beetle juice to your paper!
THE SCIENCE BEHIND NATURAL DYES
Natural dyeing is a chemical process that has a similar set of variables to consider, similar to papermaking.
Cochineal is a substantive natural dye, which means no mordant (a salt used in dyeing processes) is required to set color and light fastness (read The Physical Chemistry of Dyeing for more information) . Substantive dye bonds to the cellulose fiber through a hydrogen bonding process, which are the same type of bonds that merge the hemicellulose fibers in papermaking.
HOW TO USE COCHINEAL
Supplies: All dyeing equipment must be used exclusively for dyeing. Do not use vessels/equipment that used in your household/kitchen for food preparation. You may also choose to wear gloves/a smock to protect your skin and clothing.
non-reactive dye pot (glass or enamel coated)
plastic cooking spoon
plexi glass or plastic drop cloth
natural fiber brushes (for most even color application, try to find a brush width that is at least half the size of the paper, avoid metal that may join fibers and handle, this may react with your dyestuff)
handmade paper
cochineal dyestuff
for drying:
paint stirrers/dowels
clothespins/binder clips
STEP 1: EXTRACT DYE
How to extract cochineal beetle red dye
Individual dye companies supply extraction instructions with your purchase. For this extraction, I used ½ teaspoon dried cochineal and 1 cup tap water. I boiled the dyestuff in water for twenty minutes and allowed it to cool before straining. To strain the dye, use a scrap of fabric. Make sure your fabric scrap has a wide enough weave for liquid to pass through, an old tee shirt or bed linen will do. You must have something laying around, we all know papermakers love to collect things. If your collective purview doesn’t include cloth (but rag paper!) a paint straining bag or plastic colander will do the trick.Yield a lighter color by reboiling the cochineal and keeping it as a separate second extraction. Note: extracting dye and applying dye should happen within a period of a few hours. The longer the dye is exposed to the air, chemical changes occur that may adversely alter the color and dye strength.
STEP 2: DYE APPLICATION
Natural dyeing with cochineal red
Choose a brush that is at least half the width of your paper. The brush width is important for even dye application. You will want to apply the dye in strips without an overlap in strokes. However, there is plenty of room for experimentation with layered application to create a painterly effect. You might also experiment with stenciling the dye or dip-dyeing to create a gradient.Thicker paper will require coats on either side. More translucent papers like washi, overbeaten abaca, and other thin botanical papers may only require a single layer of dye. In either case, you may choose to allow a small undyed margin of paper that can be used to handle the otherwise wet paper and used in the drying process.If you desire a darker shade, let the paper dry in between coats. The fibers can only absorb so much liquid and color in a single application. Over saturating your sheet will cause the paper to weaken and tear.
STEP 3: DRYING
Natural dye for paper - cochineal insect red dye
Using a dowel and dedicated binder clips or clothespins, hang your paper to dry in an area with good air circulation. Be sure to protect the floor beneath your paper, as excess dye may drip off the sheet during the drying process.
Resources:
A great resource for home dyeing
Ashley Yousling’s inspiring natural dye journey in “A Color Odyssey”
Twelve natural dyes for hand papermaking cotton fibers by Genevieve Nordmark
**Please welcome Katharine DeLamater as a contributing writer (and photographer) on Paperslurry! I’m overjoyed and excited that Katharine has generously offered to share her talents and knowledge for the benefit of us all.Katharine DeLamater graduated with a B.A. in Studio Arts from Mount Holyoke College in May 2015 with a focus in printmaking, papermaking, and philosophy. She has interned at Dieu Donné, Pace Paper, and the Boston Paper Collective. During the summer of 2015, she assisted Sue Gosin and Cynthia Thompson in a papermaking and book arts summer course at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. Katharine currently lives and works in Madison, WI. Be sure to visit her artist website to see beautiful books, installations, and works on paper, and check out her LinkedIn page and Instagram, too.
Warm regards,
May Babcock