The difference between pigments and dyes is outstanding. It is almost like comparing mudar and sugar solutions. Where a pigmented paint will form a coating on a surface, a dye will simply bind to the paper. There are a lot of chemical processes that will take place, of course. Unfortunately, we cannot get into all that in this article.
Both dyes and pigments are considered as colorants.
Let’s break down a little to simplify what these two colorants are all about. Dye is highly soluble in water and binds into a surface in its complete dissolved state. On the other hand, pigments are insoluble, and they are held in a suspension when applied on a surface.
Perhaps it is because of the difference in their characteristics.
To understand better, we have put together this detailed article. Keep reading to find out the details and understand what to go for whenever you have to choose the two. Scroll down the page for a comprehensive read.
5 Key Differences Between Pigments and Dye Colorants
There are a lot of differences that stand between two colorants from being the same. We have listed them done with some bits of explanation to help you understand further. Let’s dive right in.
1. Particle Size
When it comes to particle size, the difference between the two colorants is so glaring. It is almost like comparing a needle pinhead and a football. That difference is staggering! Dye particles are small in size. That is why they easily dissolve and absorb into a surface.
Pigments on the other hand are a whole lot of story. Their particles are so big. They are hard to form a solution. When put on a surface, this colorant is simply suspended and does not get between the fabrics of a surface.
2. Bonding Properties
Dyes are naturally designed to bind themselves on a surface. This happens through a substrate on a molecular level. When a dye is applied to a surface, it permanently becomes part of it. It would take a lot to remove it.
On the other hand, pigment colorants require a binder to adhere to a surface. The binder is painted onto a substrate. This way, it will surround the colorant and keep it together on a surface. In as much as how both these colorants behave will depend on a surface, a dye becomes more permanent. For the pigment, it will simply sit on the top.
3. Lightfastness
Lightfastness is the level at which a colorant fades when exposed to light. If a colorant is sensitive to UV light and perhaps other weather conditions, they easily lose their vibrancy and appear faded from the surface.
Pigment colorants have more resistance to UV light as compared to dye. No matter how exposed it is, pigment will always last longer. But there are different pigments available in the market and they may react differently. For example, the fugitive pigments tend to fade over time, unlike the others.
Dyes on the other hand are a whole different story. They are more vulnerable to fading. Especially when continually exposed to ultraviolet harmful rays from the sun. The strong UV rays will break the bond in dyes. Now that you understand why your favorite denim tends to fade over time, you can now start taking good care of it.
4. Uses
Both dye and pigment colorants are used differently to produce fine art. You must understand both of them alongside the properties and characteristics to avoid messing up your art. Most people will use paints that contain pigments. It can be water or oil-based; it depends on an artist’s preference.
Surprisingly, most people tend to think that dyes are strictly for fabrics. That is not true. They can also be used for art and crafts. It is only important and wise to know which of the two colorants is best for a particular art. Aside from that, they are both potent.
5. Opacity
The opacity of a substance is its translucency. The quality is lacking transparency. This characteristic plays a key role when creating art. Most artists would naturally go for colorants with high opacity for full coverage and longevity.
Pigment colorants are such a good example. Their particles are more opaque and they make it perfect for creating a variety of paints. Water-based and oil-based being the top. That explains why most artists will lean more to pigmented paints than dyes. They give full coverage and their longevity is quite admirable.
Dyes on the other hand will give more translucent effects. Unlike their counterpart pigments, they are not made from particles. Light will go through dyes, perhaps that is another reason they easily fade. If you need to use clear colors on your painting, dye is what you should go for.
Which is better, pigment or dye?
This is a big question that has been asked time and again. The truth is, which is better is relative. It all depends on the artist’s preferences and needs. If you want light colors that are more resistant, pigment colors become your best choice. However, if you need a wider color space with color vibrancy, the dye should be your number one option.
When it comes to printing with these two colorants, they both produce vibrancy and color. In fact, the similarities are so much that you wouldn’t tell any difference from the final prints. These colorants start to fade over time when used for prints over time. However, dye ink will fast faster than the pigment because of its lightfastness.
If you want print ink that will last you just a little bit longer, go for pigment ink. They have a very strong resistance to UV light effects. In fact, most of them will last up to two years outdoors before their vibrancy begins to diminish.
Dye ink on the other hand will give you the best soft colors. They are generally more vivid and brilliant compared to their counterpart pigment colorants. Dye ink is water-resistant. If we were to choose the two for quality, dye colorants would talk the day.