What Botanical Colors does

Botanical Colors is a privately held Seattle-based e-commerce company founded in 2010 by Kathy Hattori that supplies natural dye materials, mordants, fabrics, kits, and books to the natural textile dyeing community. Its product catalog spans raw dyestuffs (mushrooms, wood chips, dried flowers), concentrated natural dye extracts, Aquarelle liquid dyes, a full mordanting chemical line (aluminum salts, iron powder, tannin-based options), and pre-mordanted fabrics ready for immediate dyeing. The company also sells curated kits for specific projects and operates an extensive free educational resource library covering scouring, mordanting, indigo vat preparation, and recipe tutorials.

The core technology is natural dye extraction and application, with documented expertise in the proprietary 1-2-3 Indigo Vat System using Michel Garcia's method adapted into three variants (Fructose, Henna, Iron) that allow control over shade depth. The company applies domain-specific mordanting methodology differentiated by fiber type (cellulose vs. protein) using specialized agents including Symplocos.

Botanical Colors monetizes through one-time product sales via direct-to-consumer e-commerce and professional services revenue from in-person and online workshops ($75-$800) plus private consultations with the founder ($325/hour). Its customer base is horizontally segmented across hobbyist and professional crafters (primary), textile artists and educators, and corporate clients seeking sustainable team-building events. The company is operated by a 1-10 person team and distributes primarily through its own botanicalcolors.com storefront with global shipping and a Seattle-based workshop facility.

Name

Botanical Colors

Legal name

Botanical Colors

Website

https://botanicalcolors.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Botanical Colors is a Seattle-based e-commerce company founded in 2010 that sells natural dyes, mordants, pre-treated fabrics, kits, books, and instructional workshops to hobbyist crafters, textile artists, educators, and corporate clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Natural Dye Supplies

NAICS

Sewing, Needlework, and Piece Goods Retailers (45913)

SIC

Pens, Pencils & Other Artists' Materials (3950)

akta.pro primary industry

Pigments & Dyes (IMAEAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Natural Dyes, Tannins & Colorants from Forest Products (AFAMAFAJ)

Keywords

• Natural dye supplies
• Textile dyeing materials
• Fiber arts education
• Natural dye workshops
• Mordants and assists

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: E-commerce sales of natural dyes (extracts, liquids, raw materials), mordants and dyeing assists, fabrics and dyeables (pre-mordanted and unprepared), kits, and books on natural dyeing and textile arts. Revenue generated through one-time product purchases.
2. Workshop and Education Services: In-person workshops at Seattle headquarters and online/virtual workshops taught by Botanical Colors team and guest instructors. Private one-on-one consultations with founder Kathy Hattori via Zoom. Recurring revenue through workshop fees ranging from $75 to $750+.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Botanical Colors sells plant-, insect-, and mineral-based natural dyes, mordants, pre-treated fabrics, dyeing kits, and instructional books through a direct-to-consumer online storefront, and delivers in-person and online workshops plus private consultations on natural dyeing techniques.

Product overview

Botanical Colors operates as a comprehensive natural dye supplies e-commerce platform offering a unified ecosystem of products for the natural dyeing craft. The core offering centers on Natural Dyes available in three forms: raw dyestuffs (Specialty Raw Natural Dye Materials), concentrated Natural Dye Extracts (powders), and Aquarelle Liquid Natural Dyes. Complementary product lines include Mordants and Assists (mineral salts and chemicals essential for fixing dyes to fibers, including both heated and cold-water options), and Fabrics and Dyeables (including pre-mordanted options for immediate dyeing). The portfolio extends to curated Kits for specific projects, an extensive Books section covering natural dyeing techniques and textile arts, and Workshops & Events providing in-person and online educational classes with recordings. The company also provides free Natural Dye Instructions and How-To Guides as an educational resource, making Botanical Colors a one-stop resource for natural dye practitioners from beginner to professional.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Natural Dyes Plant-, insect-, and mineral-based colorants sold as raw dyestuffs (e.g., madder root, logwood chips, marigold flowers, cochineal), powdered extracts, and Aquarelle liquid concentrates for textile dyeing; aimed at hobbyists, fiber artists, and small-batch producers.
• Mordants and Assists Mineral salts and chemical assists including Aluminum Acetate, Aluminum Potassium Sulfate, Aluminum Sulfate, Aluminum Triformate, Calcium Carbonate, Iron Powder (Ferrous Sulfate), Cream of Tartar, Fructose, Citric Acid, Soda Ash, and Cellulose Scour that prepare fibers to accept and retain natural dyes.
• Fabrics and Dyeables Pre-mordanted textile materials such as mordanted silk scrunchies, hemp-cotton napkins, cotton and silk bandanas, bamboo socks, and handwoven hemp-cotton towels, sold ready to dye for immediate use by crafters.
• Kits Curated project bundles including The Easy 1-2-3 Fructose Indigo Kit, the Beginner's Dye Kit, Shades of Maya Blue Paint Kit, Indigo Dye Bundles, Harvest Box Dye Flower Sampler, and Petal Pushers Natural Dye Sock Kit, combining dyes, mordants, and fabric for specific projects.
• Books Educational publications on natural dyeing techniques, textile arts, and color theory, including The Art and Science of Natural Dyes, From Plant to Pigment by Natalie Stopka, Stitched Shibori by Jane Callender, Natural Palettes by Sasha Duerr, and The Mushroom Color Atlas Book.
• Workshops & Events In-person and online paid workshops on natural dyeing techniques (Shibori, indigo vat making, eco-printing), ranging from beginner single sessions to advanced multi-day intensives and retreats, with prices from $75 to $800+, plus private one-on-one consultations with founder Kathy Hattori via Zoom.
• Online Classes and Recordings Recorded workshop sessions and live online class recordings covering specific techniques such as Fresh Indigo Five Ways, Gravity Ice Dyeing, Summertime Ice Dyeing, and The Indigo Henna Vat with Shibori Techniques, sold as on-demand video products.

Quantifiable outcome

• Pre-mordanted materials improve wash-fastness and light-fastness of dyed textiles

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Threads of LifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThreads of Life is an Indonesian natural dye supplier based in Bali. Botanical Colors sources unique specialty dye materials from Threads of Life, including Ceriops tagal mangrove extract. The partnership includes educational tours of Indonesia where Botanical Colors staff visit artisan dye operations and learn traditional techniques. Threads of Life operates with FSC-certified sustainable harvesting practices and supports local village communities.
• Seaspell Fiber (Brittany Boles)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrittany Boles of Seaspell Fiber is a recurring workshop instructor for Botanical Colors, specializing in fresh indigo techniques using Persicaria tinctoria. She developed the global network Indigo Pigment Extraction Methods and teaches workshops on fresh leaf indigo processing including salt mash, blender method, tataki-zome, and stenciling techniques. Botanical Colors hosts her workshops and sells related products.
• Kathy HattoricoreOthersKathy Hattori is the Founder and President of Botanical Colors. She is described as one of the most respected voices in the field of natural dyes, with decades of experience spanning traditional techniques and contemporary innovation. She conducts private consultations, hosts Creating Color monthly sessions, and leads workshops at Sanborn Mills Farm.
• Sanborn Mills FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBotanical Colors partners with Sanborn Mills Farm in Loudon, NH for multi-day intensive dye workshops taught by Kathy Hattori. The venue provides dye garden materials and workshop facilities for extended learning experiences.
• Guest Workshop InstructorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBotanical Colors hosts workshops by various guest instructors including Natalie Stopka (lake pigments, book workshops), Debbie Maddy (Shibori), Youngmin Lee (Korean Bojagi/Jogakbo), Sydni Gause (eco-printing), Monica Medeiros (eco-printing with Brico Press), and Katrina Rodabaugh (visible mending). These instructors author books sold through Botanical Colors and bring specialized expertise.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Kraftkolour: Australian natural dye retailer selling plant-based dyes and textile supplies. Comparable product catalog and educational tone, but operates primarily in the Australian/NZ market.
• Wild Colours: UK-based natural dye supplier offering raw materials, extracts, and mordants to textile artists. Similar specialty focus but serves a primarily European customer base rather than competing head-on in the US.

Broad incumbents

• Jacquard Products: Established US dye and textile supply brand with broad portfolio spanning synthetic, fiber-reactive, and natural dye lines plus paints and printing supplies. Larger incumbent that overlaps in natural dye categories and competes for hobbyist dyers.

Emerging players

• Stony Creek Colors: Plant-based indigo and natural dye producer supplying textile manufacturers. Comparable upstream natural dye chemistry but targets industrial apparel brands rather than hobbyist dyers via e-commerce and workshops.

Direct peers

• Earthues: Natural dye supplier focused on plant-based colorants for textile artists and small studios. Comparable in natural-only positioning and educational orientation, though more B2B/indie-fabric oriented.
• Maiwa Handprints: Canadian natural dye supplier and educator offering natural dyes, mordants, textile supplies, and workshops. Closely comparable in product mix, educational mission, and focus on traditional natural dyeing techniques.
• PRO Chemical & Dye: US-based supplier of dyestuffs (both natural and synthetic), mordants, auxiliaries, and textile craft supplies. Competes in the same direct-to-consumer specialty dye retail category with overlapping product lines.
• Dharma Trading Co. Largest US-based direct-to-consumer supplier of fiber-reactive dyes, natural dyes, mordants, and textile craft supplies. Directly competes with Botanical Colors across raw dyes, mordants, kits, and educational content for both hobbyist and small-batch dyers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/botanicalcolors
• Facebookfacebook.com/botanicalcolors
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/botanical-colors-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Botanical Colors