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Pigment ink vs dye ink

Pigment ink vs dye ink

Pigment ink vs dye ink

Posted on 08/04/2016

There can be no doubt that when it comes to high quality colour printing, the inkjet is king.
However, within this category of printer, there are a number of variables to choose from.
In the early 2000s, Epson released the first pigment based inkjet and it was touted as
the future of colour printing. Since then, the pigment cartridge technology has continued
to progress but there is still a substantial market demand for inkjets which use dye based cartridges.

First and foremost, it’s important to understand the fundamental difference between pigment
and dye based inks. On a molecular level, dye inks consist of small particles that are dissolved in
substrate and spread across the paper whilst pigment inks are made of larger particles which bind
to the paper and leave a residue. In this article, we take a closer look at the key differences,
advantages and disadvantages of pigment and dye based inks based on three key criteria.

pigment vs dye based inks

Colour

Because dye inks are manufactured with optical brighteners, they are capable of producing vivid ‘lively’
colours that pigment dyes simply cannot compete with. Some early pigment printing technology was
also susceptible to a visual phenomenon known as metamerism where the eye perceives a shift in
colour depending on the light under which the print is viewed.

Durability

Durability is one of the key strengths of pigment based inks as they are insoluble in water, are light
resistant and tend to last substantially longer than dye printing. On the other hand, because dye inks
are manufactured with optical brighteners, they are more susceptible to light fading and are water soluble.
It is estimated that a dye based print that is properly cared for and kept away from light will last around
25-30 years, whilst pigment based prints are thought to be able to last for over a century.

Price

When it comes to cost, dye base inkjet printers are always the more affordable option as the technology
has been around longer and most manufacturers now produce dye based inkjet models at a broad range
of price points. Because pigment inks are a newer technology, the printers and ink cartridges are
substantially more expensive than dye based models.

Which is the better choice for me?

At the end of the day, the choice between pigment and dye comes down to what you’re going to be
printing, and how much money you have. If you’re an archivist or an artist selling your prints, then
durability is obviously going to be a significant factor and it’s worth investing in a pigment printer.
On the other hand, if you’re simply looking for quality prints with crisp colours, a dye based printer is
more than capable of getting you the results you need. Shop an extensive range of dye and pigment
printers and ink cartridges online at Tonerink or get in touch with our friendly customer service team
by calling 1300 738 194.