Methods, processes, and apparatuses for producing dyed and welded substrates

A dyeing and welding process comprising:

• a) creating a suspension of a plurality of indigo dye particles in a first process solvent, wherein said first process solvent comprises an ionic liquid;
• b) dissolving a first portion of said plurality of indigo dye particles in said first process solvent, wherein the dissolving does not include reduction of the indigo;
• c) applying said first process solvent to a substrate, wherein said substrate comprises a cellulosic-based biopolymer;
• d) controlling a temperature of said first process solvent and said substrate;
• e) applying an amount of electromagnetic energy to said substrate;
• f) controlling a time for which said first process solvent interacts with said substrate;
• and,
• g) removing at least a portion of said first process solvent.

A dyeing and welding process comprising:

• a) creating a suspension of a plurality of indigo dye particles in a first process solvent, wherein said first process solvent comprises an ionic liquid;
• b) dissolving a first portion of said plurality of indigo dye particles in said first process solvent, wherein the dissolving does not include reduction of the indigo;
• c) applying said first process solvent to a substrate, wherein said substrate comprises a cellulosic-based biopolymer;
• d) controlling a temperature of said first process solvent and said substrate;
• e) controlling a time for which said first process solvent interacts with said substrate, wherein said substrate is further defined as comprising a binder surrounding a portion of said plurality of indigo dye particles and a plurality of fiber substrates, wherein said binder affixes said portion of said plurality of indigo dye particles to a portion of said plurality of fiber substrates;
• and,
• f) removing at least a portion of said first process solvent.