Dye vs.

Pigment Ink – Comparison

Some inkjet printers use dye based ink, some use pigment based ink and some has both as option, like the well-known Primera
label printers LX910e and LX500e. Using a label printer with both options you have the opportunity to choose between dye-
based and pigment-based ink.

Which ink type is best for the print? Advantages of pigment ink
Dye ink uses colour substances that are dissolved in a liquid while Pigment inks tend to be lighter in colour than dye they are more
pigment ink uses small colour particles that are held in a suspen- water-resistant while producing a truer solid black than dye. Es-
sion. The water soluble dye can be seen as sugar that dissolves in pecially when the label is exposed to UV light for many months,
water and the pigments as sand mixed in water. the pigment ink holds its colour, quality and vibrancy better than
dye. Speaking of water resistance and long life durability plus
DYE INK VS. PIGMENT INK colour consistency the winner is pigment ink.

Which ink should I choose?

Most customers did choose DTM Print’s colour label printers
because of the outstanding colour label they get with dye ink
and take the small restrictions regarding water-resistance and
INK-RECEIVING LAYER fading into account.

In more industrial applications, where the need for lasting labels

MATERIAL BASE beats the wish for nice labels, the use of pigment ink is preferred.

Initial print quality between dye and pigment ink is virtually the Label printers such as Primera’s LX500e or LX910e work either
same. Both the vibrancy and colour reproduction look very similar. with dye-based or pigment ink using the same machine by simply
It is hard to tell the difference between dye and pigment ink when switching the all-in-one ink cartridge.
comparing quality not looking side by side.
Does it affect the label stock?
All inks, whether dye or pigment, will begin to fade over time. Dye
DTM Genuine certified label material is designed to give best
ink, generally, is recommended for indoor use on products that
results either with dye-based or with pigment ink. Check our Label
will be consumed in less than a year. If exposed daily to direct
Material Sample Book for further details and samples.
sunlight or bright indoor lights, dye inks may start to fade quickly.

Pigment ink has a superior UV resistance and therefore is selected Storing the ink
when many years of indoor use or up to two years of outdoor life If you are switching to pigment ink you might want to store the
is required with little fading. dye ink that it doesn’t dry. The best way to prevent the print head
of drying is to close it airtight in an usual kitchen plastic container.
Advantages of dye ink
Dye inks are able to provide softer colours which look more vivid Contact DTM’s support team
and brilliant than the pigment ink. They may come off when get- via email at support@dtm-print.eu,
ting in contact with water unless printed on special coated label by phone at +49 611 92777-0 or
material. The print is water-resistant as long as the label does use the online live chat on our website dtm-print.eu.
not rub against anything disturbing. When it comes to quality This service is free for all our customers.
generally spoken dye ink wins.

DTM Print GmbH

Mainzer Strasse 131
65187 Wiesbaden
Germany
Telefon: +49 611 92777-0
Email: sales@dtm-print.eu
http://dtm-print.eu

©2019, DTM Print GmbH. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective companies. Specifications are subject to change without notice. 190208