From Shadecard recipe to lab dip: test, log and correct

A Shadecard recipe is where the lab dip begins, not where it ends. Save the measurement, work out small amounts in the calculator (the Stock (mL) method is made for this), dye a swatch, measure the dried dip, and record what happened with Log dip. When a recipe is approved, promote it to My shades so the app matches future cloth against your proven recipe.

1. Save the measurement

On the result, choose your fibre under Fiber & dye type, then tap Save measurement. The button changes to Saved to My measurements ✓. The reading, matched shade, fibre and recommended depth are stored on the phone.

2. Work out the dip amounts

Tap Work out the amounts, set Fabric weight (g) to your swatch weight (for example 10 g) and the liquor ratio you use in the lab, then switch the method to Stock (mL). The calculator gives mL of each stock solution to pipette, the water to top up, and salt and soda ash in grams.

Pale shades give small volumes; a weaker stock (0.1%) makes them easier to pipette accurately. See How to make and use a dye stock solution.

3. Dye the dip under controlled conditions

Use the same fabric (same pretreatment), the same dye lot, and the liquor ratio, temperature and time you would use in bulk. Rinse, soap off unfixed dye as your dye class requires, and dry the swatch before judging it – wet cloth looks darker.

4. Judge the dip

• By eye, next to the target in good daylight, and under the other lights the garment will be seen in.
• With Shadecard: capture the dried dip exactly as you captured the target (same reference, same light) and Save measurement. You can then use that reading as the dip's measured result.

5. Log the dip

1. Open My workspace from the home screen.
2. Under My measurements, find the target reading and tap Log dip.
3. In How did the dip go?, choose the Outcome: Approved first time, Approved after correction or Rejected.
4. Optionally, under Measured result, pick the saved reading of the dyed swatch. The app records an objective ΔE between target and dip.
5. If you corrected the recipe, enter Correction applied (ratio points) for Y, R and B and a Depth × multiplier.
6. Optionally fill Process: Liquor ratio 1:, Temp °C, Time min, Substrate and Notes.
7. Save.

The dip appears under Dip log, and the Right first time card at the top of My workspace starts counting: the share of dips approved first time over 30 days, 90 days and all time, with an 8-week trend.

6. Let the app learn your process

Once you have logged at least three dips for a dye class and shade family, new results in that family show Adjusted from your last n dips in this dye class and family and apply your average correction. A switch, Use my dip history, turns it off to show the library recipe. Rejected dips never teach the app. With enough dips that carry a measured result, the result can also offer Also try: learned from your dips.

7. Promote the approved recipe

1. In My measurements, tap Promote on the reading.
2. In Promote to custom shade, give it a name and enter the recipe that actually hit the colour: Y, R, B and % owf.
3. Tap Save.

The shade appears under My shades, joins matching like any library shade, and is always badged user shade so you know it is yours.

Related

• Use the recipe calculator
• Blog: The lab dip process explained