Customize your disc golf discs with these disc dyeing techniques. It’s surprisingly easy and fun to dye disc golf discs!
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I randomly stumbled across the concept of disc dyeing while I was making gifts for the holidays. My boyfriend and I will casually play frisbee golf, along with his family so getting them all discs that match their throwing styles and then dyeing the discs myself I figured would be a great gift.
These are a fun way to customize your own discs or give them as gifts like I did! There are a bunch of different dyeing techniques you can use – all of them making one of kind discs. Some use a similar method as the tie dye Crocs I previously made and some leverage the ice dyeing technique. Use a different technique for different effects, including a whole tie dye look. You can also use stencils for crisp details.
Note: Some links in this post may contain affiliate links, which means at no cost to you, I may earn a commission.
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Which Discs are Best for Disc Dyeing?
You may be surprised to learn that not all disc golf discs work well for disc dyeing. You’ll want to keep that in mind when selecting your disc as typically, the cheaper ones won’t take the dye well. You can use this chart, created by disc dyer, Scott Case, to make sure the ones you get will show the color well.
Something else to keep in mind is whether you get a transparent or opaque disc. All of the ones I’ve used here are transparent like this one, but opaque discs like this one will provide a more vibrant color.
Then if you want the color to be as close to the dye color as possible, use a white disc. Otherwise, the base color of the disc will cause the dye to look different than expected. Similarly, lighter disc colors will allow the dye colors to show through more versus darker discs.
Which Dyes Should You Use for Disc Dyeing?
Because all disc golf discs are made of plastic, you need to use a synthetic dye. This is different than your standard tie dye dyes. Synthetic dyes can come in either a powder or a liquid form – either is fine to use.
You can also use dyes specifically for disc dyeing – I have yet to try them out and am still not sure as to whether they’re different than regular synthetic dyes.
Therefore there are 3 main brands:
- Jacquard’s iDye Poly (Powdered Dye)
- Rit Synthetic Dye (Liquid Dye – make sure it’s labelled as synthetic!)
- PRO Chemical (Sold specifically as disc dyes and come in a convenient set)
Don’t forget to pin it so you can easily come back to it later!
Materials for Disc Dyeing
- Disc Golf Disc (here’s a white distance driver that would work great)
- Acetone (Amazon)
- Synthetic Dyes (this is a convenient set of multiple colors)
- Paper Towels
- Paper Cups or Mixing Containers
- Gloves (Amazon)
Then depending on the technique you’d like to use, you’ll need the following:
- Shaving Cream
- Conditioner or Shampoo (I like to grab this from the dollar store)
- Stencil or Stencil Vinyl (Amazon)
- Plastic Wrap
- Plastic Frisbee (I picked mine up at the dollar store, but you can also get this cheap set of 6 from Amazon)
How to Dye a Disc Golf Disc
Prepare the Disc for Dyeing
Regardless of the method you use to dye your disc, you’ll need to prepare it by removing any text or images already on it.
You can do this by using acetone and a paper towel. You can easily find acetone at the drug store or on Amazon. You can also use nail polish remover.
Note: Be careful with the acetone. It is possible for the acetone to also burn through the disc itself, technically making the weight off. However, if you are a casual player, any changes will not be noticeable. Either way, use only the amount you need and be cautious with it.
Disc Dyeing Techniques
After you prepare you disc, you can choose the method you’d like to use. Click on the links or images below to see how to make that design.
Disc Dyeing Techniques Using Shaving Cream
There are a variety of ways to use shaving cream to dye discs. The idea behind the shaving cream is it allows you to dissolve powdered dye into it to create a thick paste to work with. Or if you use liquid dye, then the shaving cream thickens it, allowing you to easily work with it.
Prepare the Disc Dye with Shaving Cream
Unless you’re using the powdered dye and shaving cream method, you’ll need to prepare the dyes.
To prepare the disc dyes with shaving cream, put on some gloves and add a little bit of shaving cream into a cup and a little bit of powdered or liquid dye. I used the iDye Poly in Violet and Rit Synthetic Dye in Pink.
Then mix in a little bit of water to help give it a creamy consistency.
You can also add in a little bit of acetone (Amazon). Just like when cleaning the discs, the acetone helps burn through the out layer, allowing the dye to adhere to the plastic.
Repeat the process for each color you’d like to use.
Prepare the Shaving Cream Base
Next, you need to prepare the based to make your design. To do so, mix just shaving cream with a bit of water. Again, you want the consistency to be creamy – think like a milkshake.
Then lay down some plastic wrap and spread the shaving cream mixture into a circle on top.
For this method, start by preparing the dyes and base according to the basic shaving cream method instructions.
Then take your dyes and add drops of color randomly on top.
Repeat the process for each color you’d like to use.
Then use the back of the spoon to hand-swirl the colors together.
For mine, I made a spiral and then drew lines from the center.
When you’re happy with how it looks, take your disc and carefully place it face down into the shaving cream and dye.
Make sure it’s completely in the shaving cream by gently pressing down on the back.
Then bring the plastic wrap up around the sides.
Note: If you’re using a clear disc like these, be careful to make sure to not let the shaving cream and dye touch the back of the disc. I was careless with this one so it ended up dyeing the back as well. It ended up giving a cool effect, but keep that in mind if you want a cleaner look. You can also first cover the back in plastic wrap and tape to protect it from getting dye on it.
Leave it to set for at least 12 hours and then wash off the shaving cream and dye.
Tip: Place it in a tray while it sets as the shaving cream may dissolve and run, dripping off the table.
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Disc Dyeing with Shaving Cream Method - Disc-Swirled Method
Prepare the base and add dyes according to the basic shaving cream method instructions.
Then add your colors randomly in drops on top of the base.
Then press the disc directly into the dye, face down. As you press it in, twist it to smear the dyes. You can also drag the disc through the dyes to smear and swirl them.
Lift the sides of the plastic wrap to help keep the shaving cream and dye moist. Then let it set for 12 hours and rinse it off.
Disc Dyeing with Shaving Cream Method - Powdered Dye
Rather than preparing the base on plastic, spray shaving cream directly into a plastic frisbee (such as one of these). To get streaks of color, don’t fill the frisbee with shaving cream and make the mound taller in the middle.
Then sprinkle the powdered dye over the shaving cream. You’ll therefore either want to use iDye Poly or PRO Chemical disc dyes for this.
Press the disc face down into the shaving cream.
To keep the streaks, only press it in until the shaving cream reaches the edges. I ended up swirling mine as I didn’t love the look of it.
Let it set for 12 hours in the frisbee and then rinse it off.
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Disc Dyeing Using Shampoo or Conditioner
You don’t need to only use shaving cream as the base for disc dyeing. You can use different mediums, including shampoo and conditioner. These are popular because they provide a more fluid base, allowing for colors to swirl more and creating more of a water color effect.
Note: When deciding whether to use shampoo or conditioner (or even body lotion!), you want to decide how thick you want it to be. If you want it to be more runny, use shampoo. If you want the base to be more defined and hold its shape, use conditioner or lotion.
Prepare the Disc Dyes with Conditioner
The process of preparing the disc dyes is the same as with the shaving cream method.
Whether you use conditioner, shampoo, or lotion, you want to add some to a cup. Then mix in the dyes and a little bit of acetone. If needed, you can add in some water to thin it out. You want them to slowly create a stream as you pour it.
Disc Dyeing with Conditioner - Paint Pour
If you’ve ever done paint pouring, this uses the same technique.
Prepare the dyes with conditioner as per above. Then you’ll want to prepare a base without any dyes – so mixing just conditioner and water to thin in out a little bit.
Then use a clean cup, tilt it on its side, and carefully add some of each color and the base to create different layers. It doesn’t matter what order they go in and how many layers you do.
Then carefully pour it into a frisbee. You can pour it however you’d like- I ended up going back and forth a few times to fill in the frisbee.
If needed, you can tilt the frisbee or use the back of a spoon to create swirls.
When you like how it looks, carefully place the prepared disc golf disc face down into the dyes.
Depending on how much dye use, you may need to put a light weight on top of the frisbee to keep it down. Just make sure it’s not touching the bottom of the frisbee.
Let it set for 12 hours and then rinse it off.
Disc Dyeing with Conditioner - On Plastic
Prepare the dyes according to the conditioner instructions and the base similar to the paint pour method.
Then lay some plastic on the table and pour the dyes and base on the plastic however you’d like.
You can then lift the edges of the plastic to swirl the colors.
When you like how it looks, press the disc golf disc face down into the dye.
Carefully lift up the edges of the plastic to cover the edges.
Tip: Place it in a tray in case the dyes leak.
Let it set for 12 hours and then rinse it off.
Disc Dyeing with Conditioner - Dye Drops
Prepare the dyes according to the conditioner instructions.
Then place plastic on the table and make a mound of conditioner. The idea is you want the fun swirls and texture from the conditioner coming out of the bottle.
Once you have the base ready, add drops of the dye wherever you’d like on top. I used blue, yellow, and pink dyes knowing I wanted to make a rainbow effect.
Press in the disc face down into the dye and base.
Wrap it in the plastic wrap, but be careful to not let the dyes go to the other side.
Tip: Press and smear on the outside of the plastic to help blend the colors.
Let it set for 12 hours and then rinse off.
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Disc Dyeing with a Stencil
It’s super easy to make your own designs on a disc golf disc using stencils.
I have a Cricut machine, which cuts the stencils for me. I can’t recommend it enough, especially if you intend to make discs using stencils.
If you don’t have die-cutting machine, then you can hand cut your stencils with a blade from stencil vinyl, which you can get on Amazon.
Then use transfer tape to easily remove the stencil and align it on your disc. Carefully remove the transfer tape to reveal the stencil.
I absolutely love transfer tape so I highly recommend it – you can typically find a large roll that’ll last quite a while for around $5 (such as this one on Amazon).
Then prepare the dye using the shaving cream method and “paint” a thick layer of it along the stencil.
Tip: Make sure all of the edges of the stencil are nicely stuck to the disc. I didn’t notice the corners of mine weren’t stuck completely until it was too late so the dye got under it a little bit.
Let it set for 12 hours and then rinse it off. You can then repeat the process using different stencils and colors.
Disc Dyeing with Ice
Since I’ve been doing so much tie dye lately, I wanted to see how the ice dye technique would work as a disc dyeing technique. Spoiler alert – it works great, but it’s messy!
Start by raising the disc in a tray. I used upside down cups, but looking back I’d probably use a cooling rack. You need it elevated enough so it doesn’t touch the water when the ice melts.
Then place ice cubes on top and sprinkle the powdered dye over it. I recommend either iDye Poly or PRO Chemical disc dyes.
Add a few drops of acetone over the ice so that as the ice melts, it will bring the acetone with it.
Tip: Use crushed ice instead of cubes as they won’t slide as easily off of the disc.
Eventually the ice will melt after a few hours to reveal a fun watercolor effect!
Note: I had to do mine a couple times as the ice kept sliding off.. and onto the carpet (definitely use a drop cloth for this one!). Therefore in future rounds I decided I just wanted layers of red and blue.
Let it sit for a full 12 hours (including the time for the ice to melt) and then rinse it off.
I absolutely love the effect of the ice dye and will definitely do this one again using crushed ice.
More Dyeing Projects
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How to Dye a Disc Golf Disc With Shaving Cream
Materials
- 1 Disc Golf Disc
- Acetone
- Synthetic Dyes
- Paper Towels
- Shaving Cream
- Plastic Wrap
- Gloves
Equipment
- Plastic Spoons
- Mixing Bowls
Instructions
Prepare the Disc for Dyeing
- Use the acetone on a paper towel to wipe off the existing text from the disc.1 Disc Golf Disc, Acetone, Paper Towels
Prepare the Dyes
- Put on gloves and add shaving cream into a cup and mix in a little bit of dye. You can use either powdered dye or liquid dye.Synthetic Dyes, Shaving Cream, Gloves
- Add in a little bit of acetone and then water to create a creamy consistency.Repeat the process for each color you'd like to use.
Prepare the Base
- Mix a larger amount of shaving cream with a little bit of water to create a spreadable consistency.
- Place plastic wrap on the table and then spread the shaving cream mixture into a circle.Plastic Wrap
- Add drops of your different dye mixtures.
Dye the Disc
- Press the disc face down into the dye. As you press it in, twist it and smear it around to help blend and swirl the colors.
- Leave it in the plastic wrap to set for at least 12 hours.Then rinse it off and your dyed disc is ready to use!
2 thoughts on “Disc Dyeing”
Great tips! Very informative. Don’t know if you knew this, but you don’t have to wipe the stamps off of the discs to dye them. The dye will not dye over the stamp. And it makes for a very cool “stock” disc. Appreciate the time and effort you put into all this. Anyone who reads it will definitely benefit from it.
Thanks! Yes, it’s not necessary to wipe off the stamp – that’s simply personal preference.