RE: After Dying Canopy?
I generally dry it right away with paper towels.....outside in the garage! Be sure that you don't get the canopy hung up when plunging it into the dye or you might get a line with a different tint. A couple tablespoons of vinegar will turn the canopy quite dark, but it lightens up over time.
If you want a smoked canopy don't use straight black Rite dye....mix it with dark blue....at least half and half. Otherwise you will wind up with a brown looking canopy. Why, I don't know.
Be sure that your water's temperature has stabilized throughout. I ruined a canopy once because it was hotter down in the bottom that towards the top where I only did a quick check with a candy thermometer.
Did I mention, only do this in the garage!