Pigments and dyes are both coloring materials but each of them have distinct characteristics and lend colors to the substrate differently. Dyes can be used as a solution as they hold on to the substrate whether it is textiles, wood, hair or food. Pigments are items that are insoluble and need to be blended in binders so that they hold on to the substrate.
Dyes are used for artistic, decorative and aesthetic reasons but besides these applications did you know that they play a vital role in medical and biological imaging. Some fluorescent and contrast dyes highlight specific organs or cells during medical testing to indicate presence of certain diseases. They assume great importance during election times in some countries by acting as identifiers, for example purple dye is used to mark the fingers of voters. Sheep herders use wool dyes for marking sheep in the flock. Lasers that are dye-based emit laser light over varied wavelengths resulting in laser beams that are ‘tunable’ and these in turn perform important functions in astronomical research, medical applications, manufacturing and spectroscopy.
Pigments occupy a place of great importance in the world of plastics, paints, inks, cosmetics, textiles, food and many more. Car finishes, artist’s paints and light reflecting signs get their glow from the pigments which can be either organic or inorganic. They are superior to dyes in the context of retaining their color for many years and being able to withstand powerful light, intense heat or extreme chemical agent or weather conditions.
Inks are a liquid medium containing pigments or dyes and they are utilized in printing, pens and tattoos. There are some inks which can cause a permanent change in colour and they include anti-counterfeiting inks, a few fountain pen inks, some gel inks and the paper currency inks. Reaction with the cellulose in the paper results in the permanency of colour. Though they do not fall under the conventional inks, liquids that go into the inkjet technologies also are benefitted from the research conducted to further develop the conventional inks.
Professionals engaged in the field of pigments, dyes and inks are focused on developing novel formulations that require less expensive materials, are steadfast in their colour, have good flow properties, more stability or interact more efficiently with substances they come into contact with. Pigments and dyes used in ancient pieces of art and historical artifacts are being analyzed by the relevant professionals to find out new substances that will be compatible with the ancient pigments and dyes for deciding the ways and methods of restoration and preservation.
Owners of varied dyes and pigments production facilities like organic pigments manufacturers, vat dyes manufacturers, pigment blue manufacturers and napthol manufacturers in India strive to supply sustainable colorants that are of top quality and cause minimal harm to human and environmental life. All of them have well equipped technical facilities that test the stock mixes, incoming materials and outgoing orders of the customer. Each one of them is committed to provide products of highest standards to the customers and ensure their maximum satisfaction.
Today’s pigments, dyes and inks have definitely come a long way from the times of yesteryears!