Difference Between Dyes and Pigments

Pigments

Pigments are a special type of dyeing or printing material for wet processing technology. It is not so easy task to print or dye material with pigments, because the pigment is 100% water-insoluble. So it needs to take special techniques for pigment dyeing or printing. Generally, pigment is used for printing.

Pigments can be defined as a water-insoluble coloring material mostly of mineral origin that has been used for the coloration of metal, wood, stone, and textile materials. Pigments have different types of chemical characteristics. Some examples of pigments are as follow:

1. Dioxazine
2. Fluorubine
3. Isoindoline
4. Perylene perinone
5. Pyrocoline
6. Quinacridone
7. ETC

Difference Between Dyes and Pigments

Dyes and pigments are the main coloring materials. So we have to know about the differences between dyes and pigments, which will give us a clear idea about these two. The following are the difference between dyes and pigments. They are-

DyesPigmentsGenerally, organic materials are dyed or printOrganic and inorganic both types are dyed or printIt is water-solubleIt is completely water insolubleIt contains auxochrome in their chemical structureNo auxo chrome contains in pigmentsColorfastness is generally average to excellentColorfastness is average to goodIts application method is very easyNeed binder for applicationIt is generally used for dyeingGenerally used for printingDyes are more expensive than pigmentsPigments are generally inexpensive than dyesDyes have an attraction to fibersThey have no attraction to fibersIt applies selectively to textile materialsAll fibers can be color

In sum, pigment is used to dye cotton fabric besides printing in modern times. Different types of pigment are supplied by different well-known dyes and pigment manufacturing companies.