A dual color coding system is disclosed for sewing machine needles in which the color appearing on one area of the needle denotes the needle type, whereas that appearing on another area denotes the needle size. A dye which leaves no discernable surface coating is applied to the needle shank to denote one of the characteristics, preferably needle type; whereas a narrow band of pigmented material is applied as a surface coating over the dye colored surface at the juncture of the needle shank and blade to denote another characteristic, preferably needle size.