Colouring matters, which may be classified as dyes and pigments, have been exploited by man for their aesthetic values and used to embellish various articles and the environment in which man lived over the centuries.Dyes that are used by the textile industry are now mostly synthetic. These dyes are marketed as powders, granules, pastes or liquid dispersions. The concentrations of active ingredients typically range from 20 to 80 percent.
If we take general dye chemistry as one of the basis for classification, textile dyestuffs can be grouped into the following categories for an easier understanding.