pigments

pigments (In French pigments) natural or synthetic, organic or inorganic color agents which are incorporated as powders or pastes in binding agents for paints and printing inks as well as inkjet inks, in which they are practically insoluble. Unlike coloring dyes, they have a coloring-through effect, i.e. they provide not only chromaticity coordinates but also a degree of opacity. Approx. 600 pigments are classified in the Color Index. Process color pigments: beta-phthalocyanine blue BN (C), lithol rubine BK (M), benzidine (Y), soots (K). See also effect pigment inks.