Swiftwick and Solution Dye Advantages

“Everybody wins when you use solution dyed products.” Mark Cleveland, CEO, Elicit Brands.

For nearly 30 years, Americhem has been perfecting the coloring of solution dyed fiber. The advantages of solution dyeing offer environmental, manufacturing and performance advantages over post dyed fibers.

Companies using solution dyed yarns are thrilled with the results. Elicit Brands uses solution dyed fibers in their popular Swiftwick® athletic socks. Elicit wanted a material that would keep their products looking new and durable, as well as having reliable lot-to-lot consistency. This was achieved by partnering with Americhem to take their products to the next level. 

At Americhem, we are the leaders in solution dyed color. Our scientists have dedicated years of research to perfecting our products to achieve the very best solution dyed fiber.

As Americhem’s Vaman Kulkarni, Ph.D., global business development director, remarked, “A well designed masterbatch is the key to a successful solution dyed product and Americhem masterbatches lead to environmentally friendly color with performance.”

Could solution dyed fiber be the answer for your products? Contact us today to find out.

*Since this post, Mark Cleveland has stepped down as CEO of Elicit Brands. Chuck Smith is now the President of Elicit Brands.

Why Solution Dye?: Performance Advantages

Imagine your favorite pair of socks. What makes those socks so special? It could be the color, the fit or how soft the fabric is. Whatever the reason, you want those socks to stay in good condition as long as possible.

With the solution dyeing process, the quality and color of fabrics have a longer life for a range of textiles from carpet to clothing.

The solution dyeing process integrates colorants into fiber as it is being spun. As a result, the color is dyed throughout the fiber, locking it in. The process also has numerous environmental advantages such as saving water, energy, and chemicals.

Solution dyeing produces fibers that are extremely colorfast. Since the color is evenly spread throughout the fiber, it lasts longer, in contrast with post dyed fibers which are only colored on the surface. Let’s go back to your favorite socks. If those socks are blue, they will stay blue longer. Even after you walk through the house, outside and throughout your daily activities, you will not see the color wear away. Beyond apparel, this applies to carpet, synthetic turf and other outdoor fabrics which hold their color against UV light, perspiration, and cleaning chemicals. So for example, that awning will hold up against the harsh summer sun, and you can scrub your solution dyed carpet using harsh chemicals without losing the color.

What is the benefit to colorfast products if you don’t have consistency? With solution dyeing you achieve lot-to-lot consistency. Whether you produce 20 or 20,000 products, you can see the uniformity in every product produced.

There is no doubt that the advantages of solution dyeing speak for themselves. Like your favorite socks, your appreciation for solution dyeing will endure for a long, long time.

Aubrey Barto
Marketing Intern, Americhem Inc.