100+
exhibitors
5
different nationalities
15
blue dyers
… always on the first Sunday in May!
A festival in blue – this was the blue dyeing market 2025
A celebration in blue – this was the blue dyeing market 2025
What a wonderful day!
We are delighted with the great interest and would like to thank everyone who made the blue dyeing marke 2025 such a special experience.
Around 100 exhibitors from five nations presented artistic craftsmanship and high-quality blue dyeing – from classic dirndls to modern design pieces. Our visitors were not only able to marvel and shop, but also immerse themselves in the world of blue dyeing in the Zeugfärberei and the Dyer Museum.
A highlight was the visit of the South Korean ambassador Ham Sang Wook on the occasion of the special exhibition “Indigo of Korea and Austria” – a sign of the international significance of our cultural heritage.
Music, culinary delights and the fashion show rounded off the day – a feast for all the senses despite the rain!
Photos: Erwin Pils and Korea Cultural Center
Experience the blue dyeing market – in the MühlviertelTV report
The blue dyeing market 2025 in moving pictures:
MühlviertelTV has captured the colorful hustle and bustle of the market – from the lovingly designed stalls to exciting insights into blue printing and special moments such as the visit of the South Korean ambassador.
Dive into the special atmosphere of our market and experience what makes Gutau so unique, even apart from the blue printing.
What is blue dyeing?
Many guests come to the blue dyeing market in Gutau year after year to buy original blue dyeing here. Many people know that there are differences in the production of the blue dyeing fabrics on offer, which can explain price differences.
In order to get the white patterns onto the blue dyeing fabrics fabrics, an elaborate reserve print is necessary. Printing blocks (models or rollers) are used to print a reserve onto the white textiles. The printed areas do not take on any color during subsequent dyeing in the vat and remain white. Synthetic indigo became established in the textile industry at the end of the 19th century – it is traditionally used to dye the yarn for blue jeans. All dyeing processes with indigo (synthetic and vegetable) are very complex. To apply the dye to the textile fibres, several passes are necessary, the fabric has to be dipped into the indigo dye bath several times in succession and always oxidized (faded) in the air in between. Only natural fibers can be dyed with indigo – for example cotton, linen, silk and wool.
However, there are also other dyes that can be used to dye blue. The newer processes are usually more cost-effective as they require fewer steps. It is said that the blue dyeings achieved are less vivid than with indigo dyeing, but the colors are often brighter.
Then there are price differences in the fabric itself – cotton or linen or something completely different? Perhaps organic/fairtrade?
And finally, of course, it depends on how the blue dyeing shop works. Whether it was done traditionally by hand or with a machine, or with other processes such as screen printing. Or you can make it really simple and print with white ink on blue fabric – this can also look nice, but then you can’t really call it “blue dyeing”.
If you want to know for sure: it doesn’t cost anything to ask!
The exhibitors will be happy to tell you how they dyed the textiles and are delighted at your interest in the old textile techniques.
The organization team wishes you pleasant discoveries!