What next?

• Once we've received your garment, we'll weigh it & tag it to ensure we can keep track of it *NB. if your garment comes in over the weight purchased we will send an invoice for the balance
• We will scour it to remove any oils and other resists possible
• We'll pre-treat your garment with a mordant, so the colour is long-lasting
• We'll dye your garment in the colour you've chosen 
• Your garment with be rinsed and left to cure before washing with a ph neutral detergent to remove any residual colour 
• If we notice any issues from the dye, such as deodorant stains or marks that have been exacerbated by the dyeing process, we'll send you a photo with recommended adjustments and take it from there
• Once we're both happy, we'll ship the garment back to you to enjoy!

Please note this process takes approximately 2-3 weeks from receiving your garment. 

Papahoa Fibreworks Ltd – Natural Dye Services Terms & Conditions

At Papahoa Fibreworks Ltd, we offer natural colour dyeing services for garments and textiles. Because we grow most of our own plants and work with living materials, every piece carries its own character. By sending us your items, you agree to the following:

The Nature of Living Colour

• Natural dyes are alive – they shift, soften, and deepen over time. We call these “living garments” so you understand that colour and fibre may continue to evolve.
• We do our best to photograph colours accurately, but they will never be an exact match -living colour is notoriously tricky to photograph.
• Even when we follow the same recipe for our “colour of the month,” we cannot guarantee an exact shade match to images.
• Every fibre accepts dye differently, even two cotton fabrics from different mills may take on slightly different shades.
• Textiles with existing colours or patterns will dye to a new shade, which may not look the same as our product images.
• Some of these natural colours may be sensitive to extreme PH.

Fibre & Construction Considerations

• Natural dye bonds only to natural fibres (cotton, hemp, linen, wool, silk, etc.). It does not attach to synthetics (polyester, nylon, acetate, etc.).
• If your garment is sewn with synthetic thread, the seams may remain their original colour.
• Dye can also affect the finish on buttons, zips, snaps, or other hardware.

Pre-Loved & Previously Worn Garments

• Overdyeing garments that have been worn may reveal hidden stains. For example, deodorant, oils, or other residues can appear darker once dyed.
• If stains emerge, we may be able to offer a two-tone reprocessing option at additional cost.
• Plant dyes do not create perfectly even finishes. Tonal variations and natural mottling are a feature, not a flaw.

Fragility & Wear

• Existing holes, frays, or weak spots may be exacerbated by the dyeing process.
• Fragile textiles may develop new holes - Papahoa Fibreworks is not responsible for flaws in construction of the garment.
• Buttons (particularly vintage, natural, or delicate ones) can break or detach during dyeing. You may wish to remove them before sending. 

Shrinkage & Fit

• Depending on how your item was previously washed, slight shrinkage may occur.
• Pre-shrunk garments, or those already washed in warm/hot water, are less likely to change size.

Caring for Your Naturally Dyed Garment

To preserve colour as long as possible:

• Wash cold, on delicate, ideally alone the first time in case of colour transfer
• Use a gentle detergent (ideally pH-neutral). Avoid harsh cleaners or bleach.
• Store out of direct sunlight.
• Avoid contact with acids (e.g. vinegar, citrus, wine).

Refunds, Credits & Replacements

• We do not offer refunds for our dye services.
• If you change your mind about a colour, you may transfer your order to another colour or future dye lot.
• If you send us a synthetic garment by mistake, we will notify you. You may send a replacement item, but additional shipping costs will apply.
• If you no longer want to proceed with dyeing after we receive your item, we can issue a credit (minus shipping costs) toward a future order - refunds are not available.

Shipping & Responsibility

• We are not responsible for parcels lost in transit, but we will help recover any insurance claim available
• Customers are responsible for shipping costs when sending garments to us & will be charged courier fees when placing their order so we can return it to you