Explore Guides

How to Make Fluorescent Dye

Start the Guide ›
Make Fluorescent Dye

How to Make Fluorescent Dye

This guide will show you how to make fluorescent dye with just a highlighter.

4.6k Views
Step 1 of 19

Fluorescent dye glows a bright neon yellow when exposed to a UV light depending on the color. This is ideal for dying T-Shirts and coloring paper.

Step 2 of 19
Cut off the tip of the highlighter.

Cut off the tip of the highlighter.

Step 3 of 19
Put it in the water.

Put it in the water.

Step 4 of 19
Open the highlighter.

Open the highlighter.

Step 5 of 19
Squeeze the yellow stick.

Squeeze the yellow stick.

Step 6 of 19
Use the scissors to get the liquid out.

Use the scissors to get the liquid out.

Step 7 of 19
Squeeze more with your hand.

Squeeze more with your hand.

Step 8 of 19
Cut the to of the plastic so the MOST liquid comes out.

Cut the to of the plastic so the MOST liquid comes out.

Step 9 of 19
Bend it so all the liquid comes out.

Bend it so all the liquid comes out.

Step 10 of 19
Drop the stick in the water.

Drop the stick in the water.

Step 11 of 19

Let it soak for 5 minutes.

Step 12 of 19
Move the stick to the styrofoam cup...

Move the stick to the styrofoam cup...

Step 13 of 19
and the tip.

and the tip.

Step 14 of 19
It should look like this.

It should look like this.

Step 15 of 19
If it was done correctly it should glow like this.

If it was done correctly it should glow like this.

Step 16 of 19
If you add laundry detergent it will change color.

If you add laundry detergent it will change color.

Step 17 of 19
It works with big amounts too, just add a lot of water.

It works with big amounts too, just add a lot of water.

Step 18 of 19
If you get your hands like this don't worry it's non-toxic... for the most part. Just wash your hands.

If you get your hands like this don't worry it's non-toxic... for the most part. Just wash your hands.

Step 19 of 19
If you freeze it, it kinda looks like Uranium.

If you freeze it, it kinda looks like Uranium.

Start Over

419
17 Comments
Supplies
Embed

1 Highlighter

1 Cup

15 Mililiters Water

1 Scissors

1 Tweezers

1 Styrofoam Cup

Grace Lol

I was wondering if it just glows in uv and where u got ur uv light from

Grace Lol 3 months ago

Shamilette Ann

How long does the glow last? If I freeze the water like you did will it maybe last me longer ?

Shamilette Ann 4 months ago

ℐuℓⅈ@ L

I agree with Michelle

ℐuℓⅈ@ L 5 months ago

Michelle King

Awesome guide! Does it only glow under UV light or is it glow in the dark too?

Michelle King 5 months ago

Tutorial Doctor

I am baffled!

Tutorial Doctor 5 months ago

Aly Riot

Omg I'm doing this right now even if it is 2am. And I just bought a pack of jumbo highlighters the other day, so stoked right now.

Aly Riot 5 months ago

Benji Nixon

Nice

Benji Nixon 7 months ago

m α δ ι s Φ π κ ε ι p ε r 🎈

Do you think this would work on jeans?

m α δ ι s Φ π κ ε ι p ε r 🎈 7 months ago

Nany Lopes

This is very very nice!

Nany Lopes 7 months ago

Ernest V

Kimberly Portwine no it will wash off unless you add a transparent paint which might affect its ability to glow.

(author) 7 months ago

Kimberly Portwine

Can i use this in my hair?

Kimberly Portwine 7 months ago

Ernest V

Moon Light yes and add drops of water while applying it.

(author) 7 months ago

Claire Frederick

Can I just draw on a t shirt with the highlighter directly?.....Instead of taking apart the highlighter.

Claire Frederick 7 months ago

Arden C

Thank you. I'm gonna dye a shirt and I was hoping it wouldn't come off :)

Arden C 7 months ago

Ernest V

Arden C no it doesn't because it is a dye

(author) 7 months ago

Arden C

Does the due come off shirts?

Arden C 7 months ago

Julia Michienzi

Cooool!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Julia Michienzi 7 months ago

Be first to comment on Step 1.

Be first to comment on Step 2.

Be first to comment on Step 3.

Be first to comment on Step 4.

Be first to comment on Step 5.

Be first to comment on Step 6.

Be first to comment on Step 7.

Be first to comment on Step 8.

Be first to comment on Step 9.

Be first to comment on Step 10.

Be first to comment on Step 11.

Be first to comment on Step 12.

Be first to comment on Step 13.

Abdulhaleem Mohammed

I'll try it as soon as I get a plain tshirt

Abdulhaleem Mohammed 7 months ago

Ernest V

Abdulhaleem Mohammed It will glow FOREVER!

(author) 7 months ago

Abdulhaleem Mohammed

Will it look like this after a while or will it fade after a couple of days ?

Abdulhaleem Mohammed 7 months ago

Brent Crocker

Is that a black light?

Brent Crocker 7 months ago

Be first to comment on Step 15.

Be first to comment on Step 16.

Be first to comment on Step 17.

Amy Nixon

Where do i get a UV light thats quite cheap ?

Amy Nixon 3 months ago

Adam Cowan

Ooooooooo 😁

Adam Cowan 2 months ago

Related Guides

Do a Magic Card Trick
Do a Magic Card Trick
by Jarrod Lloyd
Make a Ninja Star
Make a Ninja Star
by Alex Usami
Do a Cool Card Trick
Do a Cool Card Trick
by Hunter Pafford
Explore More Guides ›

©2013 Heavy Bits, Inc. | All guides ©2013 their respective authors

Sign In

Create a New Account

Join Snapguide and share what you know. Already have an account?

Why be old fashioned?
It's easier to sign in with:

By submitting this form you agree to Snapguide's
Terms of Service & Privacy Policy