Color plays an important role in the design of your soaps, and can even make or break a sale for many soapers! This is why it is so important that you choose a colorant that works for your project, and does what it is advertised. A few years ago, I wrote a
blog post on non-bleeding colorants and since then Bramble Berry has added even more to our inventory.
So while we’re talking non-bleeding colorants, you might ask: what is a bleeding colorant? Bleeding colorants are colorants that can migrate into other layers of your soap. You can work with a bleeding colorant for a cool effect (like this
tutorial, or
this one), but if you’re going for crisp, clean lines, you’ll want to stick to non-bleeding colorants. How can you tell if your colorant is going to bleed? Any colorant containing dyes or lakes will bleed. This includes FD&C and D&C dyes as listed in the INCI, or in any of our
LabColors.
An example of colors bleeding and migrating, creating a hazy “halo”
Did you know that Bramble Berry carries over fifty types of non-bleeding colorants? If your project calls for crisp, clean lines, take a look below to learn a bit more about all the different non-bleeding colorants that Bramble Berry carries.
Non-bleeding colors are what makes this project shine!
Micas are a fabulous addition to any soapy project and can give your soaps a gorgeous shimmer and glimmer. But here’s the important part: not all micas are created equal when it comes to colorfastness! Some micas are non-bleeding and some are not. For example,
Cellini Red Mica contains D&C Red 7 which would make it a bleeding colorant.
Copper Sparkle Mica only contains Micas and Iron Oxides which means it wouldn’t be a bleeding colorant. Check those INCIs!
Clays are a great way to add that natural pop of color to your soap without worrying about bleeding. Bramble Berry’s clays range anywhere from the
Brazilian Clays to our new
Cambrian Clays as well as our original favorites. All of these clays are non-bleeding, and will give you crisp, clean lines in your soapy designs.
Pigments and Oxides are a great way to get that burst and pop of color in your soapy designs, and Bramble Berry does carry some that will make your soaps stand above the rest. Check out these fun and bright colorants that will work great for any non-bleeding project.
Top Row: Electric Bubble Gum, Ultraviolet Blue, Fired Up Fuchsia
Bottom Row: Fizzy Lemonade, Ultramarine Pink, Tangerine Wow!
Top Row: Yellow, Burgundy, Green Chrome
Bottom Row: Brick Oxide, Ultramarine Blue, Hydrated Chrome Green
Top Row: Ultramarine Violet, Black Oxide, Brown Oxide
Bottom Row: Titanium Dioxide, Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder & Zinc Oxide
While some liquid colorants (like LabColors) have FD&C colorants in them and will make your soapy projects bleed, the following liquid colorants are made of non-bleeding pigments and oxides that will not bleed.
Non-Bleeding Cherry & Non-Bleeding Teal
Sweet Treats Colorants
Other non-bleeding liquid colorants: Black, Blue, Brown, Red, Violet, Pink, White, Yellow, Green
If you haven’t used color blocks yet, here is your chance to learn which ones will work for your non-bleeding M&P projects! Color blocks are a non-messy way to easily color your melt and pour soaps. One block can even color up to 10 pounds of M&P base! Need a refresher course on how to use these fun little beauties? Check it out here.
First Row: Electrical Bubble Gum, Black Oxide, Brown Oxide, Chrome Green, Fizzy Lemonade
Second Row: Perfect Orange, Merlot Sparkle, Titanium Dioxide, Ultramarine Blue, Ultramarine Pink
Third Row: Hydrated Chrome Green, Brick Red, Shimmer Cappuccino, Shimmer Red-Blue, Light Gold
Fourth Row: Yellow Oxide, Perfect Red, Tangerine Wow, Shimmer Black (Luster), Burgundy Oxide
Fifth Row: Fired-Up-Fuchsia, Ultramarine Violet, Ultraviolet Blue, Copper Sparkle, Super Pearly White
Do you have any questions about Bramble Berry’s non-bleeding colorants or how to use them? Leave me a comment below!
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