A pigment is a colored substance that changes the color of reflected or transmitted light as the result of wavelength-selective absorption. Pigments are completely or nearly insoluble in water, unlike dyes which are typically soluble. The color of pigments arises because they absorb only certain wavelengths of visible light, and the bonding properties of the material determine the wavelength and efficiency of light absorption. Light of other wavelengths is reflected or scattered, and the reflected light spectrum defines the color that we observe.
There are two types of pigments: organic and inorganic. Organic pigments contain carbon and typically do not occur naturally. They are named organic as they contain minerals and metals that give them their color. Organic pigment manufacturers produce them through a simple process that’s made of washing, drying, powdering, and combining into a formulation. Inorganic pigments are manufactured by relatively simple chemical processes such as oxidation, or are found naturally as earths. The majority of inorganic pigments are brighter and last longer than organic ones.
Pigments are used to provide color to materials, whether they are textiles or paints. They are applied not as solutions but as finely ground solid particles mixed with a liquid. Pigments are used in oil- and water-based paints, printing inks, and plastics. The primary purpose of using pigments is to provide color to materials.
