Somebody on your list keeps sending you tie dye videos. Maybe they’ve said “I really want to try that” more than once this year, and now you get to make it happen.
I get asked what to buy a beginner every December, so I finally put my answers in one spot. Everything here is something I use myself or would happily hand a friend on their very first dye day. I sorted it by budget. Jump to whatever fits yours.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tie Dye Stocking Stuffers Under $15
Small supplies make great stocking stuffers because beginners never think to buy them, and then run out halfway through their first project.
Squeeze bottles
These do more for a beginner’s results than anything else on this list. A good set of squeeze bottles lets you put dye exactly where you want it. Look for a pack with long tips. Any condiment bottles will do. For a beginner you can do smaller bottles (around 6 ounces). If you think they’ll be more into it, I’d suggest the 16 ounce bottles.
Nitrile gloves
Fiber reactive dye stains skin for days. A big box of nitrile gloves is a gift even experienced tie dyers will make use of.
Artificial sinew or rubber bands
Rubber bands are the classic, and they work fine. However, I use artificial sinew when I want crisp, detailed lines, especially on folds like the geode. If they’re looking to be more artistic with their tie dye I’d suggest sinew over rubber bands. If you’re doing sinew they’ll also need a puller of some sort.
Measuring Spoons
If you have an ice dyer or a liquid dyer, measuring spoons are helpful. These ones get very small which is really nice for swatching.
Something to dye*
My Tie Dye Host Kit printable ($4.99)
If the person you’re shopping for loves to throw a party, my Host Kit printable walks them through hosting a tie dye party from setup to cleanup. It’s a digital download, so it works for a last-minute gift too.
Tie Dye Gifts Under $30
This is the sweet spot for a coworker, a teen or anyone you’re not sure will stick with it.
A beginner tie dye kit
Some of the inexpensive tie dye kits are not all that bad! If you have a newbie who is just dipping their toe in (or a child) I suggest this kit.
Soda ash
This one sounds boring. It’s also the reason tie dye stays bright wash after wash, because soda ash is what helps fiber reactive dye bond to cotton. Some kits include it and some don’t. If yours doesn’t, add a bag. (It also might not be fiber reactive dye if it doesn’t come with soda ash. And in that case it won’t need it.)
A pack of blank cotton tees
Pair the kit with a multipack of 100% cotton tees in their size and you’ve got a complete gift. Hanes tees are what I use for a lot of my own shirts.
Tie Dye Gifts From $30 to $75
Go this route for someone you know will love it. These picks move them past a kit and into dyeing the way I do.
A Procion MX dye starter set
If you have someone that wants to be more serious with tie dye I highly suggest a kit with fiber reactive dye. This kit is quite small but could be good for a beginner as well. With that, their first try looks like the videos that got them excited in the first place.
An ice dye setup
Ice dyeing is what most people fall in love with after their first few shirts. All you need is a wire rack that sits over a bin so the melting ice can drain away. If you want my exact set up here is what I use.
- Paper turn in trays (for drainage)
- Glass cake pan (for dye run off)
- Magic tracks (for keeping the ice in place)
The Go All In Tie Dye Setup
For the person who is definitely going to do this every weekend, put together the setup I’d want if I were starting over.
- Procion MX starter set in 6 to 8 colors
- Soda ash
- Squeeze bottles, at least a dozen
- Nitrile gloves
- Artificial sinew
- Rack and a bin for ice dyeing
- A plastic drop cloth or a cheap folding table cover [link]
- A bundle of blanks: tees, socks and one hoodie to save for when they feel confident.
Pack it all in one of the storage bins and you’ve wrapped the gift and given them a place to keep their supplies in one go. My Amazon storefront has most of this in one list if that’s easier.
What I’d Skip
A few things show up in every gift guide that I wouldn’t buy for a beginner.
Pre-mixed kits for a big project
Kits where you add water straight to the bottle are handy for a party. Once that water goes in, though, the dye starts losing strength within a day or so. If they want to dye a big batch over a weekend, loose powder is the better buy.
All-purpose dye for cotton tie dye
All-purpose dye from the craft store isn’t fiber reactive. On cotton it tends to come out softer and fade faster than people expect, which can make a beginner think they did something wrong. Think Rit or Tulip here. They’re fine if you have a child or teenager, but if you have someone really hoping to get a result like they see on YouTube, you’ll want to invest in Procion dyes.
Polyester or blend shirts
Fiber reactive dye only bonds with natural fibers like cotton, bamboo and rayon. A polyester shirt will look washed out no matter how well they fold it. Check the tag for 100% cotton before you buy blanks. Or shop off my list here if you are overwhelmed.
Tie Dye Gift FAQ
(Build these with the Yoast FAQ block.)
What is the best tie dye kit for a beginner?
If you want just a basic quick kit, this one will work. If you have someone more serious, look for a kit with fiber reactive dye, since that’s what gives bright, permanent color on cotton. You will spend a little more but it is worth it.
Is tie dye a good gift for kids?
Yes, with an adult helping. Dye powder should be mixed by an adult. Once the dye is mixed in squeeze bottles, kids can do the fun part with gloves on.
What kind of shirts work best for tie dye?
Use 100% cotton or another natural fiber like bamboo or rayon. Fiber reactive dye won’t bond to polyester, so blends come out pale.
How long do tie dye supplies last?
Dye powder keeps for a long time if it stays dry and sealed. Once it’s mixed with water, it’s strongest in the first day or so and weakens after that, so mix only what you’ll use.
One Last Thing to Tuck in the Box
Whatever you end up buying, print out my free ebook, 12 Tie Dye Folds, and tuck it in with the gift. It shows my favorite folds step by step, so they’ll have a plan for their first dye day instead of staring at a pile of shirts wondering where to start.
If they get stuck, send them my way. My YouTube channel has a tutorial for almost every fold and technique in this post, and I answer questions live most weekends.
