Humans have used coloring agents forever. Ever since people have lived in groups, they have worked to make the things they create distinct from the things other people create. A coloring agent provider can help you make a distinct product that conforms to health and safety standards or just to allow you to stand out from the crowd.

Many products fall into the category of coloring agents. Synthetic dyes are the most common products and have a huge range of applications, from paint to fabric to plastic. Organic dyes which are commonly used for cloth or hair, and special food dyes provide color to foods and beverages. Think about the following coloring agent information:

1. Synthetic dyes are the most common colorant type and have the widest range of uses.

2. Organic colorants have a limited number of applications but provide a distinct appearance.

3. Food dyes may make otherwise bland-looking processed foods more appealing.

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

Use synthetic colorants for a variety of things

Synthetic colorants are extremely common. Very few of the goods are naturally the color of the final product. The beauty of synthetic dyes is in the variety; most companies have a huge coloring agent list from which to choose. They are specially designed to work with products of specific textures and pH balances to ensure a clean even dye throughout an entire product.

I recommend: Abbey Color makes a huge range of colors and styles for all sorts of industrial uses. Degussa, part of Evonic Industries, makes several types of industrial liquids, including a variety of coloring agents.

Look for organic colorants

Using organic pigments and dyes are an easy way to create a distinctive product. Organic dyes become more prominent every year as people begin to appreciate the worn-in style that these types of pigments create. Organic colorants are primarily used on hair or fabric but may work on other materials depending on the dye.

I recommend: The Dharma Trading Company and Aurora Silk both handle a wide range of organic dyes made primarily from plans and insects. Aurora Silk also has a number of tutorials designed to help you get started using organic colorants.

Find a coloring agent for food products

Food products require special handling. There are far more regulations regarding these types of dyes than any other colored product. It's important to deal with a company that handles colorants for the country in which you plan on selling the food. Different countries have particular laws regarding food coloring, and small slips can ruin both the batch of food and the company's reputation.

I recommend: Esco Foods sells food colorants, additives and extracts. Biocolor uses all-natural colorants to create a more natural look in colored foods. They have a handy indexing system to help you find the exact colors that are right for your product.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It's easy to overlook safety regulations in regards to colorants. Certain products must be dyed, by law, or they are deemed unsafe. Few of the fluids that go into a car's engine, for example, are naturally the color in the bottle. The same goes for shampoos, cleaning supplies and fertilizers. Make sure you are familiar with the correct styles and colors of any potentially hazardous material you may produce.