What is the difference between pigment and dye ink?

printerWhen it comes to digital printing inks, there a variety of types to choose from depending on your application and substrate, but two of the most common forms of digital inks are pigment-based inks and dye-based inks.

If you are wondering what the best option is for you and your business, take a look at these helpful tips:

Dye-Based Inks

Composed of colorant dissolved in water, these soluble inks are what you will find most often in a standard inkjet printer. These inks are designed to permeate the substrate you are printing on, resulting in vivid colors. Often, dye inks come in a wider variety of colors, and they are less expensive that pigment inks.

The draw-back of dye-based inks is that they fade more easily. So if you need your ink to last a long time or withstand the elements, dye inks may not be the best choice for you. They also may not work well with a glossy or more water-resistant substrate.

Pigment-Based Inks

Although pigment inks tend to be more expensive, they can be well-worth the price if you are printing on a tricky substrate or need your ink to withstand decades of wear and tear. Designed to adhere to the substrate instead of permeate it, pigment ink is made up of small particles in a solution.

These inks tend to have greater color stability, meaning they will not shift in tone or hue as they dry and they will not fade as quickly as dye-based inks. They are also perfect for more rigid, non-porous substrates.

What’s the right option for your business?

Consider what substrate you are printing on and how long you need your inks to last. Because pigment-based inks tend to be more expensive, your budget is also an important factor. If you are looking for top-of-the-line dye or pigment-based inks for your digital printer at a lower price, we carry high-quality replacement ink for all of the name brands. Contact Independent Ink today to talk over your printing needs, and we can find the right option for your budget!

About Independent Ink

Independent Ink Inc. was established in 1939 as a custom formulator of government and military specification inks and solvents. In 1980 a major U.S. bottler asked us to develop jet printing and make-up inks specifically formulated to work with continuous ink jet (CIJ) and drop on demand (DOD) printing equipment. With over 2 million gallons sold to date, Independent Ink is the nation's leading after-market manufacturer of jet printing inks and make-up inks.
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