Pigmentinkt

Pigmentinkt, or pigment-based ink, is a type of ink used in inkjet printing where the colorant consists of solid pigment particles suspended in a liquid carrier rather than soluble dyes. The pigment particles, typically carbon black for blacks and various inorganic or organic pigments for colors, are designed to adhere to paper and form a durable surface layer after drying. The suspension also contains dispersants, surfactants, binders, and additives that improve stability, flow, and drying behavior.

Composition and performance

Pigment inks rely on solid particles that remain largely on or near the surface of the substrate. This structure gives strong lightfastness and resistance to water and fading, especially on coated or specialty papers. Modern pigment formulations aim to broaden color gamut while maintaining archival qualities. They are commonly used in professional photo printing, fine art reproduction, and archival documentation due to their durability and longevity.

Advantages and limitations

Key advantages include excellent durability, stable black densities with carbon black pigments, and good resistance to ultraviolet light. Limitations can include longer drying times on some media, potential for clogging in certain print-head designs, and a color gamut that may be more restricted on plain papers compared with dye inks. Metamerism—color shifts under different light sources—can also be a consideration on some media.

Applications and media

Pigment inks are widely used in consumer, professional, and artistic contexts where longevity and resistance to fading are important. They perform well on coated papers and canvases and are compatible with a range of modern inkjet printers designed for pigment-based systems.