Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn dyes and pigments key terms

Research chemical manufacturers, distributors or other sites that utilize or provide an array of dyes, pigments and other specialty colorants.

I recommend: The site Dyes & Pigments gives a comprehensive overview of the differences between dyes and pigments, as well as their chemical bonds, applications and common key terms related to the chemicals. Reitech Corporation offers standard and customized organic and inorganic pigments. Basic and technical information is also provided to help you make purchasing decisions.

Find manufacturers that offer a wide variety of dyes and pigments

Look for vendors that feature a dyes directory or an inventory of industrial pigments.

I recommend: Hansen Engineering offers dyes and pigments in colors such as red iron oxide, yellow iron oxide, chrome lead spring green and ultramarine blue. Huber Engineered Materials produces crack- and corrosion-resistant pigments that can be used in coatings, plastics, paints, industrial inks, rubber and paper products. Presto Dyechem specializes in dyestuffs such as acid, basic and solvent used for textiles and soaps.

Pick the right dyes and pigments depending on your business needs

Shop for the colors, textures and quantities of dyes and pigments once you've decided on your project or product.

I recommend: Epolin sells dyes as mixtures or crystalline powders. They also manufacture near-infrared absorbing dyes that apply to welding eye wear, sunglasses and laser applications. Luster-On Products offers chromate dyes for commercial, automotive and other industrial applications. Aveka manufactures pigments for particle coating, spray drying and blending purposes. The company markets to the personal care, defense, aerospace and electronics industries.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Other major dye classifications include acid, azoic, direct, vat, sulphur and mordant. Other types of industrial pigments include carbon black, ultramarine, and organic and inorganic pigments.
• •  Both dyes and pigments come as particles, powders or pellets. They are water soluble, while pigments are water-, oil- and resin-insoluble. Common mixing and dispersing equipment for processing dyes and pigments include media mills, sifters, shear, batch and liquid mixers.

1. Safe and easy-to-use
2. Permanent--you don’t want the dyes and pigments used on your product or project to fade after repeated washing
3. Economical

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consult with professionals to find the perfect dyes and pigments for your product or project

There are a myriad of shades and combination of dyes and pigments available. Choosing the right ones for your product can be overwhelming. Are you making paints, candles, soaps, t-shirts, or cosmetics? Work with dye and pigment suppliers that can impart the knowledge and experience to guide you through the dyeing process.

I recommend: Kolorjet is one of the leading manufacturers of dyestuffs and pigments and provides a wealth of information on the dyeing process on their website. They offer a wide range of products, including inkjet dyes, textile auxiliaries, dyestuff, pigments, dyes for wax printing, specialty chemicals, enzymes, dyes intermediaries, optical brighteners, natural food colors and soap wax dyes. Staffed by knowledgeable and experienced sales representatives, Lansco Color is a pigment supplier that offers high quality organic pigments to the construction, coating, ink, and plastics industry. Organic Dyestuffs Corporation offers three full-service laboratories and a knowledgeable staff for computer shade-matching, textile-processing procedure development, and technical problem solving.

Find dye and pigment distributors that carry a full spectrum of dyes and pigments for your business

Your dye and pigment distributor should carry a full range of dyes for every application. Work with dye distributors that carry the colors you need now and have the expertise to trouble-shoot any problems that arise in the dyeing process.

I recommend: Pylam Products, Inc. also offers a broad range of industrial dyes and pigments for candles, lubricants, industrial ink, plastics, cleaning products, adhesives, and hair dyes, and personal care products. The Earth Pigments Company offers a range of eco-friendly paint pigment to make paints, plasters, and finishes. J.S. Vila Company, Inc. is a wholesale distributor of some of the top brands in dyes for the textile industry, car care products, industrial lubricants and cleaning supplies, plastics, paints and wood stains, and water colorants and tracers.

Consider utilizing specialty dyeing services for small or unique projects using dyes and pigments

In some cases, projects may require the special assistance of dyeing services with a wealth of experience in that area. In others, it may be cost-beneficial to have an outside dyeing service handle the job.

I recommend: Manhattan Dyeing Service specializes in sample dyeing and component matching, which involves matching fabrics and components of different materials and/or fibers to formulate the same color. Pantone provides custom dyeing services as well as marketing expertise that find a palette of colors that help you market your product in the world marketplace.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Studies show that colors have an effect on the mind and the body. Make sure you spend the time to research the right colors for your product and that they are produced according to your specifications.
• •  Consider using natural and organic dyes and pigments, which are extracted from plants, for your product. Natural dyes and pigments cut down significantly on the amount of toxic effluent produced in the synthetic dyeing process and are safer for the environment. This is also a great selling point!

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Research technical literature on dyes, pigments and other specialty colorants

Some dyes and pigments suppliers provide technical literature that covers materials data, compatibility and safety information. Manufacturers have also instituted green policies that comply with environmental safety.

I recommend: Spectrum Chemicals & Laboratory Products features regulatory forms and notices about the safe handling of dyes, pigments and other chemicals. BioResearch Online provides market research, white papers and case studies on different types of dyes and pigments. Reagents trains its employees to handle dyes, pigments and other chemicals without harming the environment.

Find resources or training that will lead to certification

Improve your qualifications to work with dyestuffs and pigment dyes by consulting with on-site or distance learning courses that prepare you to meet certification standards.

I recommend: The International Organization for Standardization offers publications, training sessions and other resources to prepare for ISO certification. Companies such as Bayer MaterialScience also provide resources for certification according to RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances)standards.

Stay informed of the latest coloring trends and technology using dyes and pigments

Online courses, on-site workshops, seminars and even webinars provide information ranging from dyestuffs and pigments basics to the latest in dyes and pigments manufacturing.

I recommend: Find professional development webcast courses in organic chemistry, food chemistry, laboratory safety and more by searching the American Chemical Society site. The Color Pigments Manufacturers Association features annual conferences that discuss color pigment applications.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Read carefully the materials safety data sheets (MSDS) regarding most chemicals. Information includes properties of chemicals such as dyes and pigments and what to do if chemical spills occur.