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Dye Ink and Pigment Ink are two types of ink that are used in Inkjet Printers. This article discuss the differences between the ink types. If you are more interested in the Ink Cartridge alternatives, go to our Ink Cartridges article.

Printer Ink FAQ:
1. Dye and Pigment Ink characteristics
2. Recommendations on what Ink Type to use
3. Ink and Printout Durability 

Dye and Pigment Ink characteristics

Pigment inks are not absorbed by the paper but sit on top as small encapsulated particles while dye based inks are absorbed into the paper’s fibers. This basic difference creates differences in areas such as ink stability, color intensity and contrast. The choice of ink type depends on what result you expect and which characteristics you favor.

Pigment based inks are generally stronger in the following areas compared to dye based ones:

• water fast on most paper media (dye based inks start to run when wetted if not printed on specially coated paper)
• fast drying (up to 100 times faster compared to dye based inks)
• non fading colors
• long life cycle
• low bleeding in the edges of the printed color

Dye based inks are generally stronger in the following areas compared to pigment based ones:

• high brilliance and contrast
• wide color gamut (i.e. the range of colors that can be produced)
• less expensive

A note on above comparison: Intensive research and development is continuously done in printer inks which mean that both dye and pigment inks are steadily becoming better in their weak areas.

The larger printer manufacturers develop and produce their own inks. Epson, Canon and HPall have their own ink series which they promote and invest heavily into (read more about HP Vivera Inks).

Recommendations on what ink type to use

Dye based inks are more often used in monochrome printers and pigment inks in color printers. The main reason for this is that four up to ten different colors (depending on the cartridge system) may be used in a color printer. All colors needs to dry fast so that they don’t bleed into each other.

Pigment inks should be the choice for printer owners who favor long time archival and color stability in their printouts. Please note that the longevity of dye based inks are constantly pushed forward and dye based printouts can currently be expected to last at least 20-30 years if stored under the right conditions.

All in all, remember that ink is just one of three important factors for getting good print results. It’s of equal importance that the quality of the printer hardware and the printer paper also holds a good standard. To learn more about this subject, read our Ink Printing Quality Guide.

Recommended further reading:

The company is the world’s best water based pigment ink supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

Pen inks fall into two main categories – pigment and dye-based. While they may look the same sitting in bottles on the shelf, the two are drastically different. Choosing the wrong one for your pen or paper can have disastrous consequences. So, it is vital to know how they are different and how those differences should influence your ink choice.

(Lolame / pixabay)

Composition

All ink is composed of three principal ingredients.

1. Coloring Agent – colored particles that give ink its color
2. Vehicle - a liquid that carries the color
3. Binder – a chemical that binds the ingredients to each other and to the paper

The way that these three ingredients interact makes a significant difference in the way the ink behaves. Choosing the best one for you comes down to knowing whether the ink is a solution or a suspension.

Pigment inks are a suspension, meaning that the colored particles in the ink are not dissolved in the liquid. Because these fine particles are floating in liquid, they can settle out if the ink is left sitting for a period of time, similar to the way sand settles at the bottom of a still lake. Made from rocks, metals, or other minerals ground to a fine powder, pigment particles are still quite large when compared with the particles used in dye-based inks.

On the other hand, dye-based inks are solutions of liquids or very fine powders dissolved in a liquid the way sugar dissolves in a cup of coffee. They are not always water-based, however. The vehicle for dye-based inks can be water, oil, or alcohol-based. Early native peoples made dye-based inks using natural substances such as insects, berries, and bark. Modern dye inks use synthetic color sources, which produce brighter, deeper colors. It is important to note that these colors are susceptible to fading in bright light, especially sunlight, unlike pigment inks.

Permanence

Different types of ink react differently to water, even after drying, primarily as a result of the composition of the ink itself. Pigment-based inks usually fall somewhere in between being water-resistant and being waterproof. The binders used to help pigments adhere to the paper keep them from being washed away after the ink is fully dry. Because pigment inks are not easily removed by water, greater care is needed when using these inks in a fountain pen. The ink must be cleaned regularly to avoid the build-up of pigment particles in the pen between uses.

The water-soluble properties of dye inks, on the other hand, vary widely from one ink to the next. How the ink reacts to water is greatly influenced by the vehicle used in the ink. Water-based inks contain water-soluble dyes and will smear and run if they get wet again. These water-soluble inks are very user-friendly for beginners, though, as dried ink can easily be removed with a little cleaning effort. However, alcohol or solvent-based inks can remain colorfast even when scrubbed. Permanent markers are a good example of this type of ink.

Appearance

Composed of color particles floating in suspension, pigment-based inks do not soak into paper fibers. The vehicle that carries them may soak in, but the color particles remain on the surface. Pigment particles become trapped in the fibers of the paper the same way dirt on your hands collects in the cracks and folds in your skin. However, pigment-based inks require the help of a binder to bond to the paper. Common binders include gum arabic, shellac, and acrylic emulsion. Each lends different characteristics to the ink. Because the color particles collect on the surface of the paper, pigment inks look opaque. Light is not able to pass through it.

Unlike pigment-based inks, dye-based inks soak into the paper in an attempt to bond to the fibers. How well the ink succeeds is dependent on the compatibility of the ink and the paper. Synthetic paper is more likely to repel dyes than more natural cotton paper. In some cases, a mordant is added to this type of ink to help it permanently bond to the paper. With the color particles completely dissolved in solution, dye-based inks have a transparent or translucent look. Dye-based inks are a popular choice with many calligraphers and artists because of the wide selection of colors available in this medium.

Final Thoughts

Here are a few final tips to follow before buying any bottle of pen ink. First, double-check to make sure it is compatible with your pen. Often the label on the ink itself provides information about where and how to use the ink. When in doubt, ask someone who knows. You can learn a lot by visiting a pen store and talking to a professional. Second, test the ink on your paper before you begin. Some inks don’t adhere well to certain papers. Before you spend hours on a project, test the ink and paper combination to make sure it works.

Both pigment and dye-based inks are great resources. However, understanding the benefits and drawbacks of both can help you make a better decision the next time you purchase ink for your pen.

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