Imagine a color so iconic it tells a story on its own: indigo. It’s the heart of denim, the hue we all know and love through our favorite jeans. But did you know that dyeing garments with indigo has always been a complex process, rooted in tradition and craftsmanship?
At Tonello, we decided to rewrite the rules of indigo dyeing with DyeMate—the technology that has taken the market by surprise and revolutionized the way garments are dyed. In just two years, DyeMate has made huge strides, transforming not only the dyeing process itself but also the entire creative vision surrounding indigo.
If you’ve never heard of DyeMate, now is the perfect time to discover why it’s changing everything.
The evolutionary stages of DyeMate
1. Indigo as you’ve never seen it before
It all began in 2023 with the debut of DyeMate, which introduced a new perspective on indigo garment dyeing. Starting from a traditional process, we made it modern, efficient, and most importantly, reproducible.
DyeMate marked a major turning point in indigo garment dyeing, thanks to several standout features that make this technology a true must-have:
- Fully automated process, ensuring higher efficiency and control
- Maximum reproducibility of effects, guaranteeing consistent, high-quality, and perfectly repeatable results
- Authentic, brilliant indigo, preserving the charm of tradition while maintaining the most genuine, lived-in denim aesthetic
This first step brought indigo dyeing into the innovation era, inspiring designers and brands with creative possibilities that once seemed impossible.
2. New hues, new possibilities
In the first half of 2024, we took the next step—introducing a special ingredient: sulfur. DyeMate is now capable of dyeing garments not only with VAT dyes but also with sulfur dyes. This development changed everything, allowing for the creation of incredible hues and chromatic tones -like red, black, and green- that are inspired by the denim world but also suitable for garments ready for dyeing.
This evolutionary phase led to:
- New color shades, reinterpreting classic indigo with original highlights
- A new aesthetic language, inspired by denim yet adaptable to different styles and materials
3. Sulfur Essence: the revolution within the revolution
And now, the latest and most incredible step: Sulfur Essence. In this innovation, indigo and sulfur come together in a single dyeing bath, with sulfur playing the leading role. The result? Discharged and overdyed denim effects with authentic contrasts—applied to garments ready for dyeing.
But it’s not just about aesthetics:
- The process runs at room temperature, reducing energy consumption and preserving the original characteristics of the fabric
- A single dye bath optimizes time and resources, reducing waste
- Garments ready for dyeing can be transformed with stunning effects, opening up new personalization possibilities
Sulfur Essence is more than a milestone: it’s a new starting point.
Why is DyeMate so special?
If you’ve never worked with indigo, you might think garment dyeing is simple. But in reality, every shade and every detail requires precision and technique. DyeMate not only simplifies the process, making it more manageable, but also delivers results that once seemed unimaginable.
- Laser-friendly compatibility: high-contrast, sharply defined markings ideal for detailed personalization
- Washing effects: DyeMate dyes are perfect for subsequent treatments with Core 2.0, EGO, and NoStone®, allowing for unique finishes in a single cycle
- Denim look: replicating overdyed denim effects on garments ready for dyeing expands the boundaries of creativity
In just three steps, DyeMate has transformed the landscape of indigo garment dyeing…
…giving designers and brands the tools to create extraordinary pieces in a responsible and automated way.
And this is just the beginning. Who knows where the next chapter will take us?
We’re ready to find out. Are you?
