Glossary

A compound used in making lake pigments; it acts as a substrate that traps dye molecules to form a pigment

Also called chromophores, these are the parts of dye molecules responsible for absorbing and reflecting certain wavelengths of light

A soluble substance that imparts colour to textiles, often requiring a mordant to fix it to fibres.

A concentrated form of a dye or pigment obtained by soaking, boiling, or fermenting plant material.

A class of pigments composed of organic dyes that have been rendered insoluble by interaction with a compound of a metal

A chemical (often a metal salt like aluminium sulphate or iron sulphate) that helps bind dye to fibres or create pigment when forming a lake

The chemical process of turning a soluble dye into an insoluble pigment by adding a metallic salt.

A natural substance found in plants (e.g. oak galls, summach) used in dyeing and mordanting, especially with iron.