Also known as madder, garance (French), Krapp (German), meekrap (Dutch), robbia (Italian), rubia or grana rubia (Spanish), fuwwah (Arabic), kök boya – “root dye” (Turkish), ronās (Persian).

This extra-strong, professional-grade madder extract is prepared from the roots of Rubia tinctorum, one of the most ancient and celebrated dye plants. Known since antiquity, madder has coloured textiles from Egyptian mummy cloths to the Ottoman and European Turkey Reds.

Our extract is highly concentrated, requiring only 3% WOF to achieve deep, saturated reds on wool and silk. Compared to standard extracts, it delivers brilliant shades with significantly less material, making it economical and efficient for both sampling and production.

Historical Note
Madder was central to ancient and medieval dye traditions and became a cornerstone of the great “Turkey Red” processes of Europe and the Ottoman Empire. In the 18th century, dyers like Edward Bancroft experimented with chalk to manipulate its anthraquinone chemistry, yielding clearer reds. 

Active dye components: alizarin and purpurin (anthraquinones)
CI Natural Red 8 

Shading Tips

• Alum (protein): deep, clear reds and crimsons
• Alum (cellulose): earthy reds and terracottas
• Exhaust baths: softer oranges and brick tones
• With chalk (per Edward Bancroft, 18th c.): shifts orange-browns toward true reds
• With indigo: rich purples, plums, and near blacks
• With tannins, improved durability and darker shades
• Iron: muted browns and deep, earthy tones