# From Shadecard recipe to lab dip: test, log and correct - URL: https://abdohoo.app/help/shadecard/from-recipe-to-lab-dip - Product: Shadecard (https://sc.abdohoo.app) - Section: Recipes & the dyeing calculator - Updated: 2026-09-30 > Save the measurement, dye a small swatch from the calculator's stock volumes, measure the dried dip, then Log dip with the outcome and correction. Promote a proven recipe to My shades. 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. ![Calculator in Stock (mL) mode listing mL of 1% stock for yellow, red and blue, water to top up, salt and soda ash, with a note that lab dips are pipetted from stock solutions](https://abdohoo.app/media/library/shadecard/android-calc-stock.webp)Stock (mL) is the lab-dip way to dose small amountsPale 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](https://abdohoo.app/blog/how-to-make-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. ![My workspace with Account & cloud backup, Export and Import, the Right first time card, and empty sections for My shades, Favourite shades, My measurements and Dip log](https://abdohoo.app/media/library/shadecard/android-workspace.webp)My workspace holds measurements, dips, favourites and your own shades## 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. Sign in to back up measurements, dips and custom shades to the cloud, or use **Export** to save them as a file. See [Saved measurements, export and cloud backup](https://abdohoo.app/help/shadecard/saved-measurements-and-backup). ## Related - [Use the recipe calculator](https://abdohoo.app/help/shadecard/recipe-calculator) - Blog: [The lab dip process explained](https://abdohoo.app/blog/lab-dip-process-explained) ## Frequently asked questions ### Why can't I dye the bulk straight from the app's recipe? The library colours are illustrative and every dye range, fabric and machine behaves differently. A small lab dip shows the real result for a fraction of the cost of a failed batch. ### What does logging a dip do? It records the outcome and correction. After three dips in a dye class and shade family, the app starts adjusting its recipes to your process; a switch on the result shows the untouched library recipe. ### How do I get an objective ΔE for my dip? Capture the dried dyed swatch with the app and save it, then pick that measurement under Measured result when you log the dip. ### What is a custom shade? A saved measurement promoted with the recipe that actually hit the colour. It joins matching like any library shade and is always badged user shade.