Page "Dyeing" Paragraph 3

The primary source of dye, historically, has generally been nature, with the dyes being extracted from animals or plants.

Since the mid-18th century, however, humans have produced artificial dyes to achieve a broader range of colors and to render the dyes more stable to resist washing and general use.

Different classes of dyes are used for different types of fiber and at different stages of the textile production process, from loose fibers through yarn and cloth to completed garments.