The wood has a high decorative value that can be turned into handicraft products. To optimize the use of small dimensions wood, handicraft products can be made into laminated wood. An attempt to improve the aesthetic value of wood is by adding dyes into the wood. This study aimed to analyse the ability of Gmelina arborea (hardwood) and Pinus merkusii (softwood) to absorb dyes and the effect of dyeing on bonding strength of laminated wood. Wood planks members (lamellae) that form laminated wood were soaked into direct dyes liquid with soaking time of 0 hours, 1 hour, 6 hours, 12 hours and 24 hours. The results showed retention and penetration dyes of Pinus merkusii ranged between 0.00013 g/cm3-0.0003 g/cm3 and 2.98%-8.22%, while retention and penetration of Gmelina arborea ranged between 0.00004 g/cm3-0.00018 g/cm3 and 1.59%-4.77%. Retention and penetration tend to increase at dyeing time up to 12 hours. Bonding strength of Pinus merkusii ranged between 26.61 kg/cm2-90.05 kg/cm2 while bonding strength of Gmelina arborea ranged between 66.97 kg/cm2-96.12 kg/cm2. Based on the result of statistical analysis, type of wood, and the coloration have a real effect on bonding strength of laminated wood. Based on the consideration of resource, efficiency and the results of statistical analysis, 6 hours of dyeing is more efficient in planning of laminated wood material for handicraft products.