Pigments are generally coloured, organic or inorganic solid powder, and usually are insoluble. They are not affected physically or chemically in the substrate in which they are incorporated. Pigments can give a full range of colours. Pigments have a variety of applications that includes plastics, ink, and coating applications.

The pigments are versatile coloring agents that comes with all round features to give credence to its suitability in a variety of mediums. Some of the striking features are given here:

• Excellent light and weather fastness
• A good baking stability that makes them suitable for automotive and other industrial paints
• High tinting strength
• Good over spray fastness when applied in paints
• Gives heat stability of around 300° C in the case of Polyolefins Plastics
• Excellent solvent resistance properties
• Easily dispersible
• Consistency and uniqueness of shades

While choosing a pigment depends on application, following broad factors can be taken as a guide:

• Hiding efficiency
• Colour
• pH value
• Bulking value
• Density
• Refractive index
• Hardness
• Oil absorption

Comparison of Pigment Families

Property Behaviour	Inorganic Pigments	Classical Organic Pigments	Specialty Organic Pigments	Organic Dyestuffs
Opacity	Usually high	Translucent to Transport		Very Transparent
Colour Strength	Low to moderate	Considerably stronger than Inorganic Pigments		Strongest
Dispersability	Usually Good: Often Abrasive	Adequate	Poor to good	Not required; Soluble
Heat Resistant	Usually 5000 F; Some 2000 C	1500 C-3000 C	2000 C- 3000 C	2500 C- 3500 C
Migration resistance	Excellent	Moderate -Good	Good - Outstanding	Very Poor - good
Light Fastness (on a Blue scale	6 to 8	2 to 6	6 to 8	2 to 7
Weather resistance	Outstanding for selection	Insufficient	Excellent for Selection	Good for selection