Textile dyeing technician
Dyer, colour technologist
Textile dyeing technicians create dyes to colour fibres and fabrics.
Salary range: £17,000 to £35,000
How to become a textile dyeing technician
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- training with a professional body
University
You could do a higher national diploma or degree in:
- chemical engineering
- textile technology
- chemistry
You could also take a course in fashion and textiles if it covers manufacturing processes.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- between 1 and 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma or degree
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- equivalent entry requirements
- student finance for fees and living costs
- university courses and entry requirements
College
You could do a college course, which may help you to get a job as a trainee dyeing technician. Courses include:
- Level 3 Diploma In Textile Design and Manufacture
- A level Chemistry
- Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
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Apprenticeship
You could start by doing a fashion and textiles advanced apprenticeship before specialising in dyeing and colour technology.
You could also apply for a technical dyer and colourist, or textile technical specialist, higher apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
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Other routes
You could train with the Society of Dyers and Colourists, who offer courses from introductory level to advanced. You’ll usually need to be working in textiles production or research to do the more advanced courses.
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Further information
You can find out more about working in textiles technology from the Society of Dyers and Colourists and The Textile Institute.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
- observation and recording skills
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to operate and control equipment
- excellent verbal communication skills
- knowledge of maths
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
What you’ll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day duties may include:
- developing chemical ‘recipes’ to produce different colours and dyes
- working out the correct temperatures to suit different dyeing methods
- testing sample dyes
- mixing batches of dye for use in textiles manufacturing
- recommending special finishes or treatments
- keeping records of the dye development process and its results
Working environment
You could work in a workshop or in a laboratory.
You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
Career path and progression
You could move into research and development, quality control or production management. You might also work in technical sales, acting as a link between dye suppliers and textile manufacturers.
You could transfer to different areas of manufacturing that also use dye technology, like the food and drinks industry.