Inkjet Printers: Dye vs Pigment, Which One's Better?

[@PermaJetUK]

To learn more about printing, download our FREE eBook's... The Knowledge Vol 1: The Art of Paper Selection - www.permajet.com/the_knowledge The Knowledge Vol 2: The Step by Step Guide to Printing - www.permajet.com/the-knowledge-vol-2/

[@andrewgifford7740]

It's worth noting that coated papers aren't recyclable in UK (due to the coatings/treatments). Uncoated papers can be recycled in kerbside collections. Pigments inks render all papers non-recyclable, whereas dye ink printed uncoated paper remains recyclable :)

[@PermaJetUK]

Thank you for your comment Andrew, it is true that some papers contain a PE coated layer which renders them non-recyclable

[@Flat_Earth_Sophia]

Who cares?

[@Neil-Aspinall]

Makes sense to me now. When printing the first few colour prints on a Canon pigment ink Pro4100 I was secretly disappointed in the intencity of the colours? I must tell you there are so many things you must learn before delving into large format printing, so many.

[@PermaJetUK]

There certainly is more to it than people realise!

[@duaputraambarjayafarm]

If you don't want to maintain your printer head everyday use dye base

[@kilmas2]

Sometimes wonder when watching these videos how reviewers can put a number of 150-200 years on pigment prints and just say dyes fade alot quicker. Would be interested in a number if displayed under same conditions.

[@PermaJetUK]

The information we use is provided by the printer manufacturers based on the tests they've done. You can find out more about the longevity of Canon dye inks here - www.usa.canon.com/explore/chromalife/chromalife-100-plus

[@Flat_Earth_Sophia]

Dyes are worthless all around. You sneeze on them and the photo is ruined.

[@MysticmoonmediaLLC]

@@kilmas2 I’ve used both dye and pigment ink side by side in my art gallery for about 8 months, and I’ll never go back to dye. I’ve had to reprint almost all of my Canon dye prints for customers using my Epson pigment printer. Despite being stored under the same conditions and displayed behind UV-protective glass, the dye prints faded completely within a few months. Initially, the dye prints looked better, but just two months later, the Epson pigment prints still look perfect while the dye prints need replacing. If you plan to display your prints, dye ink is a terrible choice.

[@dianedo8314]

Thank you for explaining the difference! Awesome!❤❤

[@PermaJetUK]

No problem, thanks for the feedback!

[@dmcordz4835]

for the looks go for dye ink, for quality go for pigment ink

[@liusjuliano5694]

Which is more good for Vinyl Sticker Paper Inkjet?

[@srmusicomusic4279]

Hi! Thanks you so much for your great video and knowledge. For DVD printing with an Epson L805 (6 Inks) what would you choose? the surface is white and mate, ready for INK. Thanks for your help!

[@PermaJetUK]

Thank you for the feedback! The Epson L805 is a dye based printer and so you would have to use the inks compatible with that printer. Dye inks should be absolutely fine for DVD printing

[@marinalapu-lapu6860]

If everyday use, pigment. If sometimes, then just use dye ink.

[@2FreshNash]

Hello i just recently got an Epson Surecolor T5200 large format printer, which ink would be better between pigment and dye for canvas printing?

[@PermaJetUK]

Either ink type would be fine for canvas depending on whether you want the prints to be archival or not. Your printer uses pigment ink so you can only use the ink suitable for that printer

[@2FreshNash]

@@PermaJetUK Thank you

[@hamdikhouaja5410]

Thank you, this video is very helpfull, i want to print a magazine with good photo quality,i know that the best way to do it is with OFFSET printing technology, but my budget does not allow it! So my question is, whether it's a DYE or PIGMENT, i am afraid that printing on both sides of the photo paper may cause some issue on the first printed side when it's inserted again to the tray due to the mechanics of traveling inside the printer...

[@PermaJetUK]

You should have no issue printing double sided, we actually have a range of Double-Sided inkjet paper specifically designed for these printers! You can find them here: www.permajet.com/product-category/inkjet-paper/double-sided-paper/

[@charliewhetton781]

Fantastic video, really helpful! Thank you PermaJet

[@stricken5690]

Hello. We're planning to open a Photobooth business. We'll be having Epsoj L8050 as the printer. What type of ink should we opt to use

[@PermaJetUK]

Hi there, you can only use the ink made for your specific printer which is dye ink

[@ianyorke2617]

Epson ET8550 is a brilliant printer for the hobbyist. It's dye based inks make running the printer cheaper and easier as clogs are less likely and the shorter "archival" life is pretty much irrelevant unless you are trying to sell prints.. Matt printing is enhanced over most dye based printers as it has a second pigment based black which is used when you choose Velvet Fine Art as the paper type setting. Printer is more expensive to buy but you get enough ink for a year for most people in this sector of the market and then cheap OEM ink supplies.

[@rodelpelo840]

Can print vinyl

[@taylahhudson4209]

Hi there, is it more advised to go with a dye based printer if the printer isn't going to be used consistently?

[@PermaJetUK]

If you're only going to be printing occasionally a dye based printer may be best due to them being cheaper

[@frederickfrei8286]

I just start selling coffee maybe 30-50 bags a week. I am currently using my inkjet home/office HP printer for my labels. The labels aren't terrible, however the colors are not as vibrant. I can source them out to a printing company, or do them myself. If I chose to do them myself, which is a better bang for the money. DYE or Pigment ?

[@PermaJetUK]

If you're looking to get more vibrant results then you'd be better off with a dye printer, however the label media you use is also going to have a big impact on the results. For example inkjet glossy labels will produce much more vibrant, punchy colours than a matt label

[@DesignDensity]

Thanks for the video, really appreciate your help! Question: I have a side small business printing rich-colour-based greeting cards on 300 to 350 gsm watercolour-based papers, now what would be a good choice in my case! The prices for these printers are pretty much identical here in the UK! Thank you

[@PermaJetUK]

As greeting cards don't need to be archival you would probably find you'd be happy with a dye based printer like the Canon PRO-200, but if you're looking for the highest quality and have the budget to stretch to a pigment based printer we'd always recommend that! We sell the Canon desktop range so feel free to get in touch for further advice

[@Shaenobi_7]

Plz answer DYE or Pigment? I have a Canon IP8720 making t shirts using iron on transfer paper and printable vinyl. Which is better for the longevity of the shirt when washing?

[@PermaJetUK]

That printer uses dye based inks and you would have to use the cartridges made for that specific printer; you can't swap to pigment

[@Shaenobi_7]

@@PermaJetUK aw well do you think dye based inks will be suitable? After washing shirts?

[@PermaJetUK]

@@Shaenobi_7 I'm afraid we don't have any expertise when it comes to clothing and transfer paper so can't advise

[@unboundbytiffany]

I have a canon pixma TR4520 all in one, and i cant figure out if theres a difference in the two compatible ink cartridges (243 and 245) for my black, i need to print clear but smaller scale logo stickers and marketing materials etc. My questions are, is there a difference in the two different black ink cartridges (theyre both FINE ink cartridges as well, so im so confused), and also, the inks say pigment on one and both pigment and dye on another in description, can a printer use both dye and pigment inks? Or is it limited to one or the other alone? Thank you!!

[@PermaJetUK]

Hi Tiffany, unfortunately we don't have any experience with your printer model so can't advise on the cartridges - it would be best to speak to Canon directly. In most cases all in one printers will have a pigment black (for crisp text documents) with dye colours

[@unboundbytiffany]

@PermajetUK awesome thank you so much. That actually helps enough to let me just pick which one to give a go. Hehe. I appreciate it alot!

[@PermaJetUK]

@@unboundbytiffany Glad to have helped!

[@supermario1348]

Can I put pigment ink in a printer that came with dye inks? I’m talking about the epson 8550

[@PermaJetUK]

No unfortunately not, you'd need to use the inks made specifically for that printer

[@xbrii6582]

Actually, you can.. but you have to do some cleaning first.

[@wymfyf]

I would like to print wedding invitations, focused heavily on typography (wording in black) on uncoated cardstock. Wanting to avoid bleeding of the words, which would you much recommend? Dye or pigment? Thanks much!

[@PermaJetUK]

Pigment dye would likely get better results, but it is going to be highly dependent on the cardstock you are using. We would strongly recommend considering coated inkjet media for the best results as you will be able to achieve crisp prints with no bleeding. If you'd like to try a sample of our media get in touch

[@temzzpgn1763]

Hi sir new follower..i have epson workforce c5790 but not sure which papers should i use for invitation or magazines.

[@PermaJetUK]

We would recommend looking at double sided papers so you can print on both sides of the invitation or magazine page. We have a range here: www.permajet.com/product-category/inkjet-paper/double-sided-paper/

[@valkyrie4946]

Hi! Can you use pigment ink on canon G1020

[@PermaJetUK]

Hi there, that printer uses dye based colour inks with a pigment black. You can only use the inks made for that specific printer so would need to look at a different model if you want it to be pigment based

[@famouskira7313]

Hi, if lm macking wedding invitations. What would be better FOR me? Dye or pigment?

[@PermaJetUK]

A dye printer would be absolutely fine for invites as these don't need to be archival

[@jenniferfletcher5425]

What about the ink tanks like Canon G6020? I assume they are pigment.

[@PermaJetUK]

The Canon G6020 is dye based, although it has a pigment black for text

[@chochiloffa2612]

Viewer from India I want to ask you that if i want to make greeting card, wedding card, invitation card etc and also print for tshirts all in one printer for these requirements what would you suggest?

[@PermaJetUK]

If you're on a tight budget then a dye printer would be perfectly suitable for short term items such as cards and invites, however you won't be able to print on tshirts with inkjet ink

[@ekadeshkomanxe9816]

Hello sir ...Can we use both type of color in pixma pro -200 or not or is it just to do dye based printing??

[@PermaJetUK]

The PRO-200 is just for dye based printing, you would need the PRO-300 if you'd like pigment inks

[@ekadeshkomanxe9816]

@@PermaJetUK ohh okay thank you sir ..❤️

[@humayunkabir108]

Hello sir i want to bye epson sure color t7250 printer. And i want to used it screen printing film positive output print . So which ink are best for me ?

[@PermaJetUK]

Unfortunately we are not familiar with screen printing materials so can't advise on the best ink for this, however Pigment ink would likely have more density. The Epson model you are looking at is a pigment printer

[@rienabelazotes7558]

Why do epson use dye if some people change it to pigment..

[@PermaJetUK]

Hi there, you can't change a printer from dye to pigment ink, you must use the inks that are suitable for that printer

[@RoyaltyOnesFamily]

Thank you

[@sinaiphotostudio4810]

Sir, I' m using canon G1010, every thing is okay but pictures fade out and do not last long. For long lasting, which ink should be used, pigment or Dye ink?

[@PermaJetUK]

For long lasting prints you'd need to use a printer with pigment ink

[@no89lan3]

How fast do they start fading?

[@SameerSubedi.7]

​@no89lan3 after 10 days the orange colour on my print turns into yellow .

[@petemc5070]

Very helpful, thanks.

[@mhnoni]

If only you showed us split screen comparing both images so we could see the difference.

[@PermaJetUK]

The visual differences are actually very minor and so aren't able to be picked up on camera. However, we do have a blog with a comparison - www.permajet.com/blog/dye-vs-pigment-ink-which-is-best-for-you/

[@mhnoni]

@@PermaJetUK nice blog, thanks.

[@PermaJetUK]

@mhnoni thanks and no problem 😀

[@jeanbosconiyitegeka4196]

Uv Water based pigment inks are the best

[@mhnoni]

The most important point, I believe Pigment ink won't dry on glossy paper and other non-absorbent surfaces, so printing photos on glossy is a no-go. And Pigment black on glossy paper usually won;t give you true black, it will look dark violet. so avoid any Canon 4 color megatank series if you are going to spring photos on glossy paper since they use Pigment black and dye color, and these two won't mix well. So for this situation, go with Epson or Brother, or get 6 6-color Canon which is expensive.

[@PermaJetUK]

Pigment ink will dry on glossy paper provided you use the right settings - we print all our paper swatches, including the gloss surfaces, on a pigment based Canon PRO-1000. If it isn't drying, there's probably too much ink being laid down which can be corrected in the settings or by using an ICC profile

[@mhnoni]

@@PermaJetUK I assume if it didn't even with the correct setting then the ink isn't good?

[@PermaJetUK]

@@mhnoni The ink shouldn't be an issue, although the type of glossy paper could be the cause. It needs to be a microporous inkjet paper, there are 'cast coated' glossy papers where the ink probably won't be absorbed

[@mhnoni]

@@PermaJetUK I see, thanks for the info.

[@Flat_Earth_Sophia]

lol You're confusing dye ink. Pigment ink can print on plastic, metal, glass, anything. lol

[@MysticmoonmediaLLC]

The dye based will fade immediately. Completely useless.

[@PermaJetUK]

Modern dye based inks have good longevity. As long as the prints are stored/presented correctly there's no reason for them to fade immediately and can even last 20-30 years, but of course won't last as long as pigment ink

[@MysticmoonmediaLLC]

@@PermaJetUK I purchased two new Canon printers in the last 8 months, both using Canon brand ink, to replace my Epson printers (an EcoTank and a large format model). It was the worst decision I’ve made. As an art gallery owner who reproduces large prints for clients, I’ve found the Canon dye ink printers to be a huge disappointment. Despite using UV-protective glass and keeping prints out of direct sunlight, the colors fade within a month or two. Canon's solution? Store prints in a box, completely out of light, to preserve their color. But what's the point of making prints if they can’t be displayed? I’m now switching back to Epson for pigment-based inks. If you’re printing photos or artwork you want to display, dye ink is a waste of money, regardless of the brand.