Tie-dye’s popularity as a shared or solo hobby has grown in recent years. “You can tie-dye with family and friends out in the yard—it’s a nice way to bond with people,” said Rajni Kavula, who runs Adroit, a California-based Etsy shop specializing in eco-conscious tie-dyed textiles. “If you’re doing it solo, it’s very meditative because you’re focused on the technique and what the outcome will be.”
In our search for the best tie-dye kits, we focused on dye performance and ease of use rather than color variety. We chose four of the most popular tie-dye kits from well-known dye or craft companies that contained a limited three- or four-color palette, which Kavula recommends for beginners. “Try working with one or two colors at a time so you can find what you like and learn the technique, then you can build on it,” she said.
After testing multiple kits on a variety of T-shirts, we rounded up our favorite options below. We also gathered our best step-by-step tips to help novices and experienced crafters alike create professional-looking gear they are proud to wear.
