Aikuma Natural Dyes (Benibana)
Cashback: Get 10% cashback on every order.
-
Get your order as fast as 2 hours! T&C's apply.
Aikuma Natural Dyes (Benibana)
This professional material is used by the Handmayk Studio in workshops and production. To make it accessible for sampling and small projects, it has been repackaged by Handmayk into smaller quantities.
IMPORTANT: Product images are for reference purposes only. You will receive 100g of Benibana repackaged in an unlabelled plastic container. Original manufacturer packaging is not included.
Benibana, or Safflower, is one of the oldest cultivated dye plants in the world.
Believed to have originated in Arabia and Ethiopia, it has been used for thousands of years to produce beautiful yellow, pink, and red colours.
Even the linen used to wrap Egyptian mummies around 2500 BC is thought to have been dyed with safflower.
Introduced to Japan via Korea during the 7th century, Benibana became one of Japan's most treasured botanical dyes.
The flower naturally contains both yellow and red pigments, allowing dyers to produce different colours by adjusting the dyeing process and pH.
The yellow pigment is water-soluble, while the red pigment is released under alkaline conditions, making Benibana one of the most fascinating and versatile natural dyes available.
Perfect for natural dyers, textile artists, and makers looking to explore the rich traditions of Japanese botanical dyeing.
Dyeing Instructions (Yellow Dyeing for Silk & Wool):
- Soak 100g of Benibana in 2 litres of water for 2 hours.
- Add 1% acetic acid (or white vinegar) to adjust the dye bath to approximately pH 4.
- Dye silk or wool at 90°C for 30 to 60 minutes.
Dyeing Instructions (Red Dyeing for Silk & Cotton):
- First, thoroughly wash the flowers several times to remove the yellow pigment.
- Prepare a 4% potassium carbonate solution.
- Soak the washed flowers in the alkaline solution for 3 hours, then strain the liquid.
- While stirring, gradually add citric acid until the dye bath becomes acidic. When adding citric acid to the alkaline dye bath, the solution may foam vigorously. Always use a large container and add the acid gradually.
- Dye the fibre at 35°C for 30 to 60 minutes.
Notes:
- The final colour may vary depending on the fibre type, pH, mordant used, water quality, and dyeing conditions. We recommend testing on a small sample before dyeing your full project.
Mordant / Modifier:
- None
Other Names: Safflower
Suggested WOF per 100g: 300g to 500g
Origin of Brand: Japan
Origin of Manufacturer: Japan
Shipping (UAE)
The shipping fee is free if your order totals AED 249 or more; otherwise, the shipping fee is just AED 14, and you will receive your order within 3 days.
Alternatively, you can opt for our 4-hour (AED 38) or 2-hour (AED 98) delivery service for those in Dubai, or our 6-hour (AED 98) delivery service for those in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
Cut-off times apply.
Learn more about Shipping
Shipping (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia)
The shipping fee is free (inclusive of Duties & Taxes) if your order totals AED 249 or more; otherwise, the shipping fee is just AED 98 (inclusive of Duties & Taxes), and you will receive your order within 2 to 4 days, subject to customs clearance.
Learn more about Shipping
Shipping (Rest of the World)
We offer fast, worldwide shipping for your convenience.
The shipping fee starts from AED 148 (exclusive of Duties & Taxes) and your order will usually be dispatched the next working day.
Learn more about Shipping
Pickup
You can opt to collect your order from our outlet in Nadd Al Hamar when placing your order online.
Simply select the pickup option at checkout.
Orders are usually ready for collection within 1 hour.
Larger orders or those requiring winding services may take longer to prepare.
You will receive an email confirmation once your order is ready for collection - please wait for this before visiting.
Learn more about Pickup
Returns
It is important to us that you're satisfied with your purchase.
If you're unhappy with your order, you can return most items for a full refund within 30 days of receiving your item.
Items under the Lifestyle department, machinery and electronics have a 7-day return policy.
Credit/Debit Cards
Seamlessly complete your purchase using major credit or debit cards - fast and secure transactions for your peace of mind.
Buy Now, Pay Later
Enjoy the flexibility of splitting your payments into four interest-free instalments.
Choose from our partners, Tabby and Tamara, to make your shopping experience even more convenient.
Residents of the UAE and Saudi Arabia can use Tabby seamlessly online, while customers in Kuwait will need to request a Tabby payment link from our customer care.
Cashback Redemption
Make your shopping experience even more rewarding by using accumulated cashback.
Get 10% cashback on every order you place with us.
All cashback amounts are valid for 30 days, giving you ample time to enjoy the benefits.
How to redeem your cashback?
1- Log in your Handmayk account.
2- Click on the Handmayk logo widget located at the bottom left of your screen.
3- Inside the widget, you'll find your cashback code. Copy it with a quick click.
4- Proceed to checkout and paste your copied code into the 'Gift card or discount code' field.
Please note that the colours shown in a product image may differ from the physical item.
This can be due to reasons such as, but not limited to, the colour display of your screen and variation in manufacturer dye lots.
Colours may also differ if the item is hand-dyed or recycled.
If you prefer a hands-on experience or have concerns about colour accuracy, we invite you to visit our outlet.
Our team will be delighted to assist you, ensuring you find the perfect hues for your creative projects.
All images and videos displayed are either owned by Handmayk or provided by the respective supplier/manufacturer, and are subject to copyright and terms of use.