DIPS Disc Ink Planning System

Set up your disc, plastic and technique. See which PRO Chemical & Dye colors will pop, which will barely show, and which will turn to mud, before you open a jar.

Tap the jars you own, then choose "Only my dyes" below. Your shelf and custom dyes are saved on this device, and in your DIPS folder and backup files.

Mix two jars
+ =

Parts are by volume of powder, e.g. 2 scoops + 1 scoop. The mixed color is estimated from the swatches, so mix a small test batch first. Community recipes: Dyers Guild Color Vault.

For another brand, match the color of the dye on a white test disc.

Disc color
Pick on a wheel

Tap the wheel to set the disc color. Toward the middle is paler.

Match from a photo

Photo the disc in daylight, choose the photo here, then tap a clean, unstamped spot.

Plastic

Ratings come from the Disc Golf Dyers Guild chart. How much a rating pales the preview is our estimate.

Technique
Suggest from

Combos that work

Real dyes to use together, in color order. "Where they touch" is the color you get where they bleed into each other, not another jar. Use Next to see more options of each type.

Will popClear change from the disc color, stays clean.
SubtleClose to the disc color. Fine for tone-on-tone, weak for contrast.
Goes muddyThe disc and dye cancel out toward brown, grey or black.

How the preview works

Dye is see-through. It filters the plastic's color instead of covering it, so dye can only make a disc darker, and colors from opposite sides of the wheel cancel toward brown.

The ProChem colors were sampled from ProChem's own swatches, which were made on lotion or fabric, not plastic. Treat every preview as a guide: plastic, mix strength, set time, temperature and dye lot all change the real result. The finished disc also comes out paler than the dye bed looks.

Safety

  • Wear a dust mask when handling dye powder, plus gloves and eye protection.
  • Acetone is highly flammable, dissolves stamps, and can soften plastic. Work with ventilation and away from flames.
  • With heat, aim for 120°F at the disc, working range 115-125°F (DIPS's own range). Measure the disc's temperature with your own thermometer. Heads up: ProChem says 120°F or below, so 125°F is above ProChem's figure.
  • Don't pour Floetrol down the drain.

Sources