What is Pigmented Ink and When Should You Use It?
Pigmented ink is a specialized type of inkjet ink that suspends tiny solid pigment particles in a liquid carrier. Unlike dye-based inks, where the colorant is fully dissolved in the liquid, pigmented inks retain solid particles, which offer exceptional durability, UV resistance, and vivid color contrast on a wide range of surfaces.
How Pigmented Ink Works
In pigmented ink, pigments are finely ground solid particles that remain suspended in the ink fluid. When the ink is printed, the carrier liquid evaporates, and the pigment particles remain on the substrate surface, forming a strong, color-rich image that resists environmental degradation.
Key Properties of Pigmented Ink
- High Durability: Resistant to water, chemicals, abrasion, and UV light.
- Vivid Color Contrast: Produces bright, opaque colors that stand out on dark or light surfaces.
- Excellent Lightfastness: Pigmented inks resist fading even after prolonged sun exposure.
- Surface Adhesion: Offers good adhesion on porous, semi-porous, and certain treated non-porous materials.
- Ink Stability: Longer shelf life and better consistency in demanding environments.
Common Applications of Pigmented Ink
- Food and beverage packaging requiring long shelf life codes
- Outdoor product labeling needing UV resistance
- Wire and cable marking (white pigmented inks for black cables)
- Automotive and aerospace parts identification
- Building materials (pipes, wood, bricks) coding and branding
Advantages of Using Pigmented Ink
- Superior Durability: Codes and marks survive harsh environments, washing, and rubbing.
- Suitable for Harsh Conditions: Performs well in outdoor, wet, or chemical-exposed applications.
- Higher Color Visibility: White, yellow, and other light-color pigmented inks ensure codes are visible on dark substrates.
- Minimized Fading: Ideal for products that will be exposed to sunlight or extreme conditions for extended periods.
Limitations of Pigmented Ink
- May require more frequent agitation or stirring to maintain even pigment distribution (especially in CIJ systems).
- Generally higher viscosity compared to dye-based inks, requiring specially designed printheads.
- Potential for nozzle clogging if printers are not properly maintained.
Pigmented Ink vs Dye-Based Ink
| Feature | Pigmented Ink | Dye-Based Ink |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | Excellent (water, UV, chemical resistant) | Moderate (may fade or wash off) |
| Print Brightness | High opacity, vivid colors | Typically brighter, more vibrant initially |
| Fade Resistance | Superior | Lower |
| Surface Compatibility | Porous, semi-porous, treated non-porous | Mostly porous surfaces |
| Maintenance | Requires agitation, careful cleaning | Lower maintenance |
FAQs
- Can pigmented ink be used in all inkjet printers? No. Pigmented inks need printers designed or optimized for their viscosity and particle size to prevent clogging.
- Does pigmented ink need special handling? Yes. In some printers, the ink system includes automatic stirring or recirculation features to keep pigment particles evenly suspended.
Conclusion
Pigmented inks are the best choice when durability, weather resistance, and long-term readability are critical. They are ideal for outdoor applications, high-contrast coding, and products requiring excellent fade resistance. Need help selecting the right pigmented ink for your printing system? Contact Cheef Inkjet today at sales@cheef.cn!
