We can dye our feathers to virtually any color, matched to your sample or Pantone, in about 2–3 weeks, with no minimum order. Here’s how a custom color goes from your swatch to finished feathers.
The process, step by step
- Send us the color. The most accurate match comes from a physical sample: a fabric swatch, a feather, or the garment itself. A Pantone number works too. Our color chart is best for large orders with a long timeline.
- Get a quote. Each color is one dye lot. Everything in a dye lot is dyed together in one bath, so one dye charge covers as many feathers as you need in that color. Each extra color is a separate lot.
- Pay to start. Custom dye orders are paid in full before dyeing begins.
- Approve a test. For larger orders, we dye a small batch first and send it for your approval, then dye the rest.
- We dye the full lot. Custom work takes about 2–3 weeks from payment and color approval. Rush jobs are available; tell us your deadline when you ask for a quote.
- Ship or pick up. We ship to you or you pick up at our Garment District showroom.
How feathers take dye
Feathers are dyed in a hot dye bath, much like wool or silk. The starting color matters: white or bleached (degradé) feathers give the truest colors, while natural feathers keep some of their own shade and pattern underneath. Rooster coque dyed over its natural bronze keeps its shine; bleached coque gives a flatter color.
Different feathers take the same dye differently. In an ostrich boa with a marabou center, for example, the marabou can come out a slightly different shade, so for an exact match we can dye the two separately.
Tips for a good match
- Order everything from one lot. Dyed colors can vary slightly from one lot to the next.
- Order a little extra. It costs far less than dyeing a whole new lot if you run short.
- Two shades in one piece? We can dye half your yardage in each shade for you to layer, or make a custom two-color trim.
- Ombré and two-tone dyeing are quoted case by case.
What we can dye
Ostrich plumes, boas and fringe, marabou, coque, hackle, pheasant, turkey, goose and most of our other feathers can be custom dyed. Each product page says whether custom dye is available for that feather.
Tell us your feather, quantity and color, or bring your swatch to the showroom.