An introduction to silk dyeing is followed by a study to achieve better fastness by replacing direct colours with corresponding acid and metal complex colours with comparatively better fastness properties, also tested for dischargeability. Materials are specified with the recipe for dyeing silk. The self shades, direct and acid colours, were dyed in different percentages - eight colours were listed. The dyeing procedure for combination shades was similar. Discharge printing was undertaken with printing recipes for white and colour discharges. The printing process was described with details of the washing treatment at two different stages. K/S values were determined and were calculated for six tests, with results noted in tabular form. A comparison was made between zinc and safoline discharge prints. Discharge behaviour in the case of self shades for white discharge and colour discharge prints was then described, and the discharging behaviour of combination shades. Four conclusions were summarised.