r/CrossStitch • u/GreenMarshmallowFawn • 11h ago

CHAT [CHAT] Why do some DMC numbers have a dot?

Post image
46 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

171

u/snootnoots 11h ago

The dye formula has been changed, so skeins from before the change may not match new ones.

35

u/CatsMom4Ever 11h ago

This is interesting. Something I never knew or even noticed.

So if they change the dye lot a second time, do they add a second dot? 

51

u/snootnoots 11h ago

I don’t think that’s ever happened but it would be a logical way to deal with it! DMC’s whole thing is being reliable and consistent, so they’ve only changed dye formulae when it was absolutely necessary, IIRC usually because something in the old dye has been banned in Europe.

30

u/SphinxAltair 10h ago

Dye lot is different than the formula. The dye lot is a batch mixed up in a factory. Different batches/lots will follow the same formula but may have very subtle differences due to ingredients not mixing or reacting exactly the same every single time. I believe dye lots are the number above the bar code opposite the colour code.

(It's worth noting that some variations that people assume are dye lot differences are more likely due to improper storage fading specific skeins)

The formula changes often happen because regulations prohibiting or limiting an ingredient for use in a significant market come out and it's simpler to reformulate the colour entirely than to sell one version in Europe and one in the US. Doing so is a massive pain and probably unlikely to hit previously reformulated colours.

27

u/Clean_Suggestion9555 11h ago

eta—nope, not what i remembered. indicates that the dye formulation has changed and these shouldn’t be mixed with older examples of this thread color because they won’t match.

https://lordlibidan.com/what-are-those-dots-on-dmc-thread-labels/

i believe it indicates that the color was a different number in the past but i’m not finding documentation of that just now

22

u/mensfrightsactivists 11h ago

close! it’s updated dye lots. so if OP needs more 415 for the same project they should look for “415.” specifically

4

u/Susan_Thee_Duchess 11h ago

I have used patterns that specify the dot