Difference between dye ink and pigment ink

• August 13 2024

Dye ink is a molecularly dispersed ink that provides a complete solution. It has a low probability of clogging the print head and is easily absorbed by the substrate after printing. It offers vivid colors and low cost, but its major drawback is that it is not waterproof. In addition, due to the rapid separation of dye molecules under ultraviolet rays, images printed with dye ink can fade significantly within a month of exposure to outdoor ultraviolet light. However, its advantages such as vibrant colors, sharp layers, and lower cost make it the preferred choice for image printing, creating inkjet color business cards, and other similar applications.

In contrast, pigment ink is a powdered ink, composed precisely of finely ground solid pigments dissolved in a special aqueous solvent. It is a suspended or semi-solution, similar to the pigments used for printing and dyeing garments. Unlike dye ink, which seeps into the substrate to create color, pigment ink generates color by fixing the coloring materials to the surface of the substrate (such as plain paper or printing paper). Therefore, printing with pigment ink has the advantage of not bleeding, even on plain paper. In addition, since the pigment itself is waterproof, it is less likely to decompose under ultraviolet rays, thus providing strong resistance to water and light. Printed materials can maintain their quality for more than a year without noticeable fading, even outdoors.

However, the disadvantage of pigment ink is that it can often leave residues of coloring materials on the surface. Therefore, even when printed on glossy paper or other smooth-surfaced papers, it is difficult to achieve glossy images. Therefore, prints made with pigment ink generally do not have a glossy appearance. In addition, the manufacturing cost of pigment ink is higher, making its selling price higher than that of dye ink, with a price difference of more than two to four times.

For more information, please contact us: Green Cartridge

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