Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is a highly branched, herbaceous, thistle-like annual plant in the family Asteraceae.  The early Spanish colonies along the Rio Grande in New Mexico used safflower as a substitute for saffron in traditional recipes.
 
Safflower is famous for its red colour used to dye ribbon's on legal documents - hence the term "red-tape".  
 
To dye with safflower, use at least equal weights of dyestuff and fibres (i.e. 100% WOF).  No mordant is required for pinks and reds or for yellows, but  an alum mordant will improve fastness of the yellow dye. 
 
Safflower produces both yellow and red pigments, the yellow can be liberated in a simple cold water extraction. - this is the first colour that will come out of safflower. 
 
To extract red pigments, this is a little more complicated.   To the extraction bath cover the Safflower with cold water, add soda ash to bring the solution to a pH of 11 - this is an alkaline extraction used to liberate the red dye.  Once liberated, re-adjust the pH to 6 using citric acid, and then the red dye will be ready for use.    After the fibre or fabric is added, there is no need to heat, just leave to soak in the dye for a day or so.  Please note soda ash and citric acid will need to be purchased separately. 
 
Smallest pack size supplied is 100g
 
Recommended use is at least 100% weight of fibre/fabric (WOF).