Although nature offers plenty of flowers in a wide range of colors, those often seen at weddings, in florist shops and in high-quality images in magazines are often dyed. Whether you are working with fresh, dried or synthetic flowers, it is possible to color them exactly as you have chosen with a few different methods.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Dye Fresh Flowers with a Food Coloring
Step 1. Choose the flowers
The process of coloring fresh flowers involves adding color to the water, letting the flowers absorb it. Although the color will be absorbed by any flower you place in colored water, the biggest difference will be noticed on those with light-toned petals. So, choose a bouquet that is either white or a very pale shade - any type will do. Common choices include white roses, daisies, and white chrysanthemums, but feel free to be more creative.
Step 2. Choose the colors
You can use any color you want for this process - as long as it's available as a liquid food coloring. Liquid food color kits usually contain yellow, red, green, and blue, but you can mix these colors to create others to your liking. Alternatively, you can use powder dyes prepared just for this type of situation, which are absorbed by the flower.
Step 3. Prepare the colored water
Fill a vase with cold water, until the flower stems are completely covered, then add the dye. There are no predefined quantities, the more color you add, the more lively the flower will appear; the less color, the paler the flower will turn out. Use a stick or spoon to mix the color in the water so that it dissolves completely.
Step 4. Prepare the flowers
Before putting them in the colored water, you will need to cut the stems. Use a pair of garden shears or other well-sharpened scissors to cut about 2-3 cm from the stem at a 45 degree angle. This will allow for optimal water absorption, speeding up the time it takes for the flowers to change color.
If you let them sit for 2-3 hours after cutting the tips and before soaking them in water, they will absorb the color even faster once they are soaked. This will put them under stress and cause them to accelerate the absorption of water
Step 5. Put the flowers in the water and wait
Insert the bouquet into the vase with the colored water. The color will not appear on the flower petals until they have been soaked in the dye for at least 2-3 hours. The longer you leave the flowers, the brighter the color will be.
Step 6. Put the flowers in clean water
Once you have the desired color, you will need to remove them from the dye and change the water in the jar. To keep the flowers fresh, you should change the water every other day. The color will remain in the flowers until they fade.
Method 2 of 5: Dye Fresh Flowers by Dipping Them in Color
Step 1. Purchase some flower dye
To dye fresh flowers with the dipping method you need to use florist dyes. You can find them in specialty stores in a wide variety of colors. Keep in mind that it is not as easy to mix dyes of this type as you would with food, so buy the exact color you want.
Step 2. Choose the flowers
Because you will cover the outside with color, instead of letting it absorb it, you can use just about any dye and flower species. However, remember that the color is not totally opaque and therefore with white or light flowers you will get a very bright shade, while with those of a darker color you will get a more dense and dark one. Choose flowers that are fully open, so that each petal can be colored easily.
It is possible to create very strong colors starting from dark flowers. For example, red ones dipped in purple will turn a dark plum color
Step 3. Prepare the coloring
Pour the paint into a bowl or bucket - any wide-brimmed container will work. If the instructions provided require it, add water to dilute the dye. Place a newspaper or tarp under the container to avoid staining your work area.
Step 4. Dip the flowers in color
Hold one flower at a time from the stem, so that the bud is facing down. Slowly dip the flower into the container filled with dye and hold it in the dye for 2-3 seconds, making sure each petal is dipped in the color. Next, lift it up and rinse it with clean water. Avoid shaking it, otherwise you risk getting dirty or leaving indelible stains in the work area.
Step 5. Place the flowers in a vase with warm water and flower food
Place the pot on a protected surface and off to the side until they are completely dry to the touch. It is important to wait until the flowers are completely dry before handling them, otherwise the dye will transfer from the flower to your hands, clothes or furniture, leaving a stain.
Step 6. Repeat the process
Follow the steps above for each flower in the bouquet, until all have been colored. If the flowers aren't the color you want, you can dip them a second time and let them dry for a brighter hue.
Method 3 of 5: Dye Fresh and Dried Flowers Using a Spray Color
Step 1. Purchase some flower spray paint
This type of dye is very similar to spray paint, but it is done in a way that doesn't damage the fresh flowers by adhering to the petals. The spray flower color comes in a variety of tints and is safe to use on both fresh and dried flowers. The only drawback is that you can mess up the work area quite drastically.
Step 2. Choose the flowers
The spray paint is matte once applied and will therefore completely cover the color of the petals below. As a result, you can use any color, shape, or type of flower you want.
Step 3. Prepare your work plan
Spray paint stains a lot, so it's important to set up a dedicated work area in a well-ventilated space (such as a garage or yard) and spread a tarp or newspaper on the ground. Wear rubber gloves and old clothes that you don't mind ruining.
Step 4. Prepare the spray color
Leaving the lid on the can, shake it well for 20-30 seconds. Remove the lid and rotate the nozzle so that the hole lines up with the direction you want to spray.
Step 5. Spray the flowers
Hold each flower individually, so that the bud is facing you. With the other hand, hold the spray can about 30 cm away from the bud. Press and hold the nozzle to release the color, rotating the flower as you spray, so that you get an even color. Spray the flower until it is completely covered with an even layer of color.
Step 6. Set the flower aside to dry
Place it in a vase or other container so that it stays upright. The color will take 1 to 3 hours to dry depending on the temperature and humidity. Do not touch the flowers until they are completely dry, otherwise the color will stain your hands and clothes.
Leave the flowers in a warm, dry place to dry them faster
Step 7. Repeat this process on the remaining ones
Continue to work all over the bouquet, spraying one flower at a time and then setting it to dry in a vase. It is possible to add more layers of color if you are not satisfied with the hue obtained.
Method 4 of 5: Dye Dried Flowers Using Fabric Dye
Step 1. Choose which fabric dye you want to use
Fabric dye will work well on any type of flower, although boiling water and harsh chemicals will ruin fresh ones. The ideal is to use dried flowers. Select any fabric dye, liquid or powder; all usually use the same color mixing process with boiling water. Keep in mind that the brightness of the flowers will change based on how long you leave them to soak in the dye.
Step 2. Choose the dried flowers
As most tend to be brown, it will be a little more difficult to dye, so it would be better to use light colored flowers. White, cream and light blue shades are best to use for this purpose. The most common dried flowers are hydrangea, mist and rose. Keep in mind that the flowers need to dry for at least 2 weeks before they can be dyed.
Avoid using flowers that are damaged or discolored, as these imperfections will be visible even when dyed
Step 3. Prepare the tincture
Each brand of dye differs slightly in terms of instructions, but typically requires the dye to be mixed with a proportional amount of boiling water. While the color is boiling, spread cloth or newspaper over the work area to prevent the color from staining the work surface or your clothing.
Step 4. Soak each flower in the dye
Hold one flower at a time from the stem so that the bud is facing down. Slowly dip it into the dye, and keep it immersed for 5-10 seconds. Take it out and examine the color; if you are satisfied with the shade, please remove it completely. If not, dip the flower back into the dye until it reaches the desired color, checking it frequently.
Step 5. Hang the flowers to dry
Using a clothesline or drying rack, hang one flower at a time upside down to dry completely. Put them in a warm and dry room to allow faster drying; let them dry for at least 24 hours before using them as decorations.
Method 5 of 5: Dyeing Synthetic Flowers
Step 1. Get everything you need
Synthetic flowers cannot be dyed with fabric dye, because the material they are made of cannot be boiled. Food coloring is also unsuitable, as it is not permanent and can easily come off the fabric. The best results are achieved by coloring the synthetic flowers with acrylic paint. You will therefore need a container of acrylic paint in a color of your choice, a jar of gel, and water.
Step 2. Prepare the flowers
Depending on the type of synthetic flower you are using, they may need to be prepared a little. If the flower has a stem in the center, you will need to use paper tape to protect it and prevent it from dyeing. Anything you don't want colored should be protected with paper tape.
Step 3. Prepare the acrylic dye
Mix 2 parts of acrylic paint with 1 part of gel, use a stick or spoon to mix well and add a small amount of water to dilute the mixture. The amount of water to add to the mixture depends on how bright you want the color to be; the more water you add, the lighter the final color will be. When you're done, put the dye in a wide-brimmed bowl and work on some newspaper to avoid smudging.
Step 4. Color the flowers
Insert a flower into the dye and hold it so that it is completely immersed in the color. Carefully pull it out, holding it by the stem or with tweezers (if there is no stem), and place it on the newspapers. Use a paper towel to dab the flower and remove excess color. Then, let it dry on the newspaper for 2-3 hours.
Step 5. Repeat the process
Color all the flowers using the method just described. After letting them dry for about 3 hours, remove the masking tape.
