Abstract: The invention is concerned with a change in the current practice of dyeing natural and synthetic polyamide materials with reactive dyestuffs. The invention involves pre-treating the material to be dyed with an amphoteric auxiliary in a bath which is brought rapidly to the later dyeing temperature and which contains an amphoteric auxiliary preferably at a pH buffered within a specific range. It is found that the pre-treated material takes on the reactive dyestuff very readily and that the dyed materials have a good fastness. A major achievement is that the dyeing time is cut to about one-half of that presently employed.

Abstract: A dyestuff composition comprising a dyestuff of the general formula (I): ##SPC1##in whichR and R.sup.1 are selected from the group consisting of identical and different hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, acyl, acyloxy and halogen radicals;And at least one further dyestuff having a synergistic effect on the dyeing properties of the dyestuff (I) said further dyestuff being selected from the group consisting of (I) but different from said first dyestuff and dyestuffs of general formula (II): ##SPC2##in whichR.sup.2 has the same meaning as R and R.sup.1.The dyestuff composition has utility in the dyeing of synthetic fibers, in particular polyester fibers.