Pigment Ink vs Dye Ink: What’s Best for Printing Photos?
Compare pigment ink and dye ink for photo printing, including recommendations for the best printers and paper, to ensure superior quality and longevity.
Learn | Printing Guides | By Jeff Collier
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In a showdown of pigment ink vs. dye ink, which one comes out the winner?
After a few years of practicing photography, I discovered that taking the perfect photo is merely the beginning. The true challenge? Printing that photo in a high-quality, flawless output without any distortions, ink bleeding, or pixelation.
A good chunk of my life was spent around inkjet printers, getting my feet wet in dye-based and pigmented inks and trying to determine the best option for printing photos.
In this article, I’ll help you understand the differences between both types of ink and what applications each is better for.
I can guarantee that you’ll finish the article knowing which ink is the right choice for printing your photos!
What Is The Difference Between Pigment Ink And Dye Ink?
Dye ink is the common choice among entry-level photographers because it’s more affordable. When you’re testing the waters in a new skill, you hardly want to spend a fortune on ink, which is understandable.
But when you make it to pro levels, you start using pigment-based ink instead. Here’s why:
Pigment-Based Ink
Pigment-based ink is the professional choice because it’s more durable, fade-resistant, scratch-resistant, and water-resistant.
Its output is sharper and more detailed than dye-based ink, which is why it’s often used for archival-quality prints and papercrafts.
The ink is made up of tiny solid particles suspended in a liquid base, which has been a common practice in making inks for centuries.
One of the oldest forms of ink, black carbon, was actually made using the suspension method.
Because the solid particles don’t dissolve in the liquid, the ink sits on top of the printed surface rather than get absorbed into it.
Dye-Based Ink
Dye-based ink has a completely different formula from pigment-based ink.
Instead of suspension, it’s made by dissolving liquid colorants in a solvent. This gives it a crisp, translucent output and makes it ideal for use on porous surfaces because it absorbs into the material.
Although some pros prefer dye inks for artistic purposes, it’s often an amateur choice because it tends to fade over time, and it’s overall less durable than pigment ink.
Because dye-based inks dry quickly, they’re the most popular form of ink for stamping.
Pigment Ink vs Dye Ink: Pros and Cons
Though their outputs may look similar to the untrained eye – thanks to modern technology – there are subtle differences between dye inks and pigment inks that you’ll only learn by trial.
Here’s a roundup of their pros and cons based on tons of trial and error:
Pigment-Based Ink
Credit: © Raimond Spekking / CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
- It’s highly durable and doesn’t fade over time.
- Resistant to scratches and water
- Excellent for heat embossing techniques
- It doesn’t get absorbed into the material, which means you can stamp light colors on dark surfaces.
- Capable of outputting a wide range of monochromatic shades, making it perfect for black-and-white photographs.
- Excellent for outdoor usage because it’s resistant to UV light.
- Prone to smearing because it dries slowly.
- Might need reinking over time
- The colorants aren’t as vibrant as dye-based ink.
Dye-Based Ink
Credit: IT services EU
- The output colors are highly vibrant with great saturation.
- It dries quickly, so it’s less likely to smudge.
- Excellent for stamping and mixed media applications because it absorbs into the material.
- Pretty affordable compared to pigment ink, making it the better choice for beginners.
- A good choice for everyday photo printing.
- Not durable, making it unsuitable for long-term display photographs.
- Not water-resistant, so it can’t be used with water-based mediums.
- Compatible with a smaller variety of mediums and techniques.
Is Dye or Pigment Ink Better for Photos?
If you’re aiming for longevity, pigment-based ink is the right choice.
It’s resistant to fading, scratches, and water, which means very little can affect the photographs once they’re printed.
Besides, the depths and blends you’ll get with this ink are unmatched, making it the better choice for printing photos.
The same goes if you’re printing photos for outdoor use because pigment ink is resistant to the effects of UV rays.
Choose dye inks if you want more color vibrance. Though I have to say, with today’s modern technologies, the difference in color vibrance between both inks is pretty subtle.
Choosing dye ink often boils down to cost because it’s far more affordable than pigment ink.
One last thing: your photos will only be as good as your choice of printer and paper. You won’t enjoy the benefits of pigment ink if you choose the wrong type of printing paper for it, and the same goes for dye ink.
Choosing the Right Printer for Pigment and Dye Ink
Credit: Jakub Zerdzicki
Pigment-ink technology advanced to the point that its output is as vibrant as dye-ink technology. However, dye-ink printers are still more affordable to use.
Depending on your choice of ink, here are a couple of printer recommendations:
Pigment-Based Ink Printers
One of the best pigment-based ink printers on the market is the Epson Eco Tank ET-2800.
Its output is as detailed and colorful as you’d expect from an Epson printer, and its maximum resolution is 5760×1440 dpi, which is pretty decent for its price range.
Dye-Based Ink Printers
If you’re after an all-in-one printer that’s compatible with dye-based ink, my favorite choice is the Canon Pixma Pro 200.
Its output quality is better than that of more expensive printers, and it features an eight-color dye ink system that produces vibrant colors and powerful contrasts.
Choosing the Best Photo Paper for Pigment and Dye Ink
Credit: Michael Burrows
Choosing the wrong photo paper for your ink of choice is a common mistake that you can easily dodge with the right knowledge. Here’s what type of paper to use with each ink:
What Is the Best Paper to Use With Pigment-Based Inks?
You can use pigment-based ink with a wide range of photo papers, including specialty fine art papers, cardstock, matte paper, and most importantly, plain paper.
It’s generally the best ink to use for paper crafting and mixed media projects.
What Is the Best Paper to Use With Dye-Based Inks?
The best paper to use with dye inks is glossy paper, as it helps you achieve the vibrant colors that dye ink is known for. The same goes for coated paper.
Tips for Better Prints (for Both Types of Ink)
Credit: Deybson Mallony
Whether you’re choosing dye ink or pigment ink, there’s a set of tips to follow to get the best results:
Maintain Your Printer Correctly
If your printer head is built into the cartridges, make sure to change it every time you change the ink to prevent clogs. If it’s built into the printer, you’ll only need to change it every once in a while.
Remember to only use the type of ink compatible with your printer, and don’t change ink mid-stream.
Choose the Right Printing Paper
Choose your printing paper wisely according to the ink you’re using. Dye ink is excellent for glossy paper, while pigment ink performs best on specialty craft papers and matte papers.
Follow Instructions
Always follow your printer manufacturer’s recommendations when it comes to the ICC profiles for paper/ink combinations.
That way, you make sure the image quality is consistent even when using different types of ink.
FAQ
How do I know if I have pigment ink or dye ink?
If the bottle is clear, you should be able to see through the dye ink. Pigment ink isn’t see-through.
If you’re not sure, you can apply a drop of ink on regular paper and then submerge the paper in water. Dye ink will wash off, while pigment ink will retain its color.
Can I replace dye ink with pigment ink?
No, you shouldn’t use pigment ink in a dye-ink printer. It contains undissolved particles, so it’ll clog your printer.
Are Canon inks dye or pigment?
It depends on the cartridge you have. Most Canon inkjet printers use a hybrid system of both inks. The cartridges labeled PG are pigment-based, while the ones labeled CL are dye-based.
Is Epson ink dye or pigment?
Epson makes both types of ink. For example, the UltraChrome Hi-Gloss ink is pigment-based, while the 103 EcoTank is dye-based.
Can I use dye ink with photo paper?
Yes, you can use it. It performs exceptionally well on high-gloss types.
Is pigment ink waterproof?
Yes, pigment ink is waterproof.
Is a pigment ink printer better than an inkjet printer?
A pigment ink printer is an inkjet printer that uses pigment inks.
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Jeff Collier is an experienced film photographer who enjoys experimenting with modern digital photography equipment, software and apps. He’s also an ex-world champion triathlete and avid cyclist, clocking hundreds of km each week in the beautiful Tweed Valley of northern NSW, Australia.
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I am a professional landscape/art photographer and I prefer dye-based ink because is imitates gelatin silver photo prints better because it gives much deeper blacks in black and white photos. The same in color photos. Also, in color photos the colors are more vibrant. Finally, Canon Chromalife100 dye ink will last for 100 years in storage, about the same as high quality pigment inks. If you want to display them for long periods, you can use glass that filter UV rays to prevent fading while on display. It’s really sad that one can only get pigment-based ink printers these days.