It is safe to say that unless these conditions are fulfilled, the results will not always be up to expectations. The traditional independence of the dyer, to be flexible with formulations and procedures, is seriously challenged by the reactive dyes. Many of the tools needed to fine tune the dyeing properties and proce- dures for the different groups of reactive dyes depend on chemistry, and are in the hands of the dye manufacturers. The market demand for bright colors of high wetfastness has put reactive dyes in a prominent position which seems likely to be reinforced in the future-so this situa- tion is unlikely to go away. There is no virtue in fighting what cannot be changed, so the dyer must learn to accept reactive dyes for what they can do for him, not fight against what they will not permit him to do. But first he should carefully select the supplier, or suppliers, most likely to be responsive to his present and future needs. Many reactive dyes have drawbacks which will demand the attention of chem- ists. The overall percentage fixation of the early reactive dyes is low compared with that expected from other dye categories. The result is that the effluent is high on both waste (hydrolyzed) dye and salt. Furthermore, the color yield of many reactive dyes can be quite sensitive to relatively small changes in the application conditions. These problems, lying between dye manufacture and the dyed goods market, are waiting to be solved.