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There are several methods to dyeing a disc golf disc, and the art has been around for years. If you enjoy custom discs, dyeing them yourself to match your taste is a great way to get the exact look you want.

When it comes to disc dyeing, you have plenty of options—use a single color, build layered multi-color designs, or combine techniques.

If you want to put your own design on your favorite golf disc, here is our tutorial on how to dye disc golf discs like a pro.

About the Tutorial

In this article, we’ll walk through two prominent disc dyeing methods:

1. Stencil
2. Shaving Cream

You can use them independently or in combination. Note that baseline/cheap plastics rarely take dye cleanly; premium, high-quality blends (opaque or transparent) like Gold Line, Star, Opto Line, or Champion generally accept dye much better.

We recommend avoiding DX-style baseline plastics.

The shaving cream method won’t deliver the crispest results on transparent discs. For that technique, opaque plastic tends to work best.

What You Will Need

For Shaving Cream Dyeing

• iDye Poly (or similar synthetic-fabric dye intended for plastics). Many dyers also use Rit DyeMore for synthetics. Choose high-quality dyes that penetrate premium disc plastics
• A mixing bowl
• A plate large enough to contain the entire disc
• Cups for color portions
• Shaving cream (acts as a medium to hold dye patterns while they soak)
• Skewers or toothpicks for marbling and line work
• A syringe and a ruler for controlled lines
• Toilet paper or a coarse cloth for cleanup

For Stencil Dyeing

• Vinyl sheet: Oracal 651 is a popular choice; beginners often prefer Oracal 631 because it’s more forgiving. Check local sign shops
• Acetone to remove stock stamps (work in a well-ventilated area; avoid prolonged contact with plastic)
• iDye Poly (or Rit DyeMore for synthetics)
• X-Acto knife with fresh blades for precise cuts
• Needlepoint tweezers for weeding vinyl pieces
• Painter’s tape
• A firm card (e.g., a gift card) to burnish and remove air bubbles
• An alcohol-based cleaner for adhesive residue (e.g., Goo Gone)
• An ~8-inch diameter cooking pot dedicated to dye work

Helpful reading: brush up on plastic types and stability while choosing practice discs: disc types & plastics and flight numbers explained. If you need discs that take dye well, browse premium plastics at Infinite Discs: Advanced Search.

Setting up the Dye (Common to both methods)

Most dye packets arrive in dissolvable pouches. Mix 1 liter of water with one packet of iDye Poly (or follow the package ratio for Rit DyeMore).

Add a few drops of liquid dish soap to reduce surface tension and help prevent bubbles.

Choose your preferred disc. To remove stock stamps for stencil work, dampen a coarse cloth with a small amount of acetone and gently wipe until the stamp lifts. Avoid soaking the plastic; quick passes are safer. Ensure the flight plate is free of oils and residue before masking. (For shaving cream dyeing, stamp removal isn’t required.)

Stencil Dyeing

1. Choosing a Design

Select any design—logos, symbols, or custom art. Print a high-contrast B&W reference.

Cut a 12″ × 12″ piece of vinyl. Place the print under the vinyl and use painter’s tape to hold layers steady.

With an X-Acto knife, trace the design, applying enough pressure to cleanly cut the vinyl. Weed (remove) the areas you want to accept dye using tweezers.

2. Preparing the Stencil

Cover the weeded portions with painter’s tape to keep the stencil aligned.

Flip the stencil so the paper backing faces up and burnish firmly so the tape bonds to the vinyl.

Peel away the paper backing carefully, leaving vinyl attached to the tape.

3. Placing the Stencil on the Disc

Place the cleaned disc on a stable surface.

Align and lay the stencil onto the disc. Once the adhesive touches the plastic, avoid re-positioning to prevent distortion.

Press outward from the center and around the edges. Wrap the edges and burnish with a firm card to eliminate bubbles—dye can seep under trapped air.

Remove the painter’s tape, leaving the vinyl stencil in place.

4. Dyeing the Disc

Heat the dye bath to around 60 °C (140 °F). Higher heat risks warping the disc; slow and low is safer.

Gently immerse the disc. Typical soak time is 5–10 minutes, depending on color and desired saturation.

Lift the disc, let excess dye drip off, and set it aside for a couple of hours so the dye sets into the plastic.

5. Peeling the Vinyl

Carefully remove the stencil.

Rinse under running water. Use a soft scrub to clear adhesive residue.

If residue remains, apply an alcohol-based cleaner (e.g., Goo Gone) sparingly, then wash with mild soap and water.

Your custom disc is ready!

Shaving Cream Dyeing

For this method, stamp removal isn’t required. Start with a clean, dry disc.

1. Prepare the Shaving-Cream & Dye Mixtures

• Base: In a large bowl, mix shaving cream and water to a spreadable, marshmallow-like consistency (not runny, not stiff).
• Colors: In separate cups, combine ~½ cup shaving cream with a small amount of iDye Poly (or Rit DyeMore) for each color. Mix thoroughly.

2. Set up the Plate

Spread the base mixture across a plate until the surface is flat and even. Scrape off excess from the rim so the disc seats level. Your base is ready.

3. Designing

Load syringes with color mixes. Lay down lines, dots, or shapes on the base. Use skewers to marble or sharpen edges. Work slowly—small movements create clean details.

4. Dyeing

Place the disc face-down onto the pattern. Apply gentle, even pressure so the entire flight plate contacts the design.

Let it sit for a couple of hours (longer contact yields bolder colors).

Rinse under running water and pat dry.

Your custom disc is ready!

Safety & Pro Tips (2025)

• Use gloves, eye protection, and ventilation—especially with acetone and heated dye baths.
• Dedicate tools (pot, utensils) to dyeing—don’t reuse for food.
• Test colors on a beat-in practice disc first; plastics vary in how they accept dye.
• Transparent premium plastics (e.g., Opto/Champion/Z) show vibrant colors; opaque premium blends (e.g., Star/ESP/Gold) create crisp lines; baseline plastics blotch and fade.
• Keep water temp moderate; avoid boiling. Heat helps penetration but risks warping.
• For supplies and premium discs to dye, browse Infinite Discs: Advanced Search filters.

Final Words

These procedures are straightforward, fun, and budget-friendly. Expect a couple of practice runs before your results look exactly how you imagine. The stencil and shaving-cream approaches are the most common starting points; many artists combine them for layered effects.

Have a question about any step? Ask away—we’re happy to help. For more gear context while you choose donor discs, see our guides on disc types & plastics and flight numbers. If you need premium molds that take dye well, filter by plastic at Infinite Discs.