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Originally Posted by candyly Hello, I am rather new to this and my question is, what exactly IS the difference between the two types of ink? I can't find any useful info when "googling" the question and was hoping for some help here. Thanks!  |
Dye inks are pigment rich, water-based and either subject to fading or are permanent (heat setting is usually required), and dry quickly on most surfaces.
Pigment inks contain glycol (a glycerin product), are water-based, thicker in viscosity than dye inks, dry slowly (often do not dry on non-porous surfaces), tend not to fade, and are often used with embossing powder for thermal embossing.
Embossing ink is thick and intended primarily for thermal embossing (with embossing powder) and is either clear or lightly tinted.
Either pigment or embossing ink can be blended with a dye ink to allow for thermal embossing.
Hybrid inks are water-based, permanent (often do not require heat setting), dry quickly, are not as thick in viscosity as a pigment ink, and rarely can be thermal embossed (unless blended with a pigment or embossing ink).
Solvent-based inks cannot be thermal embossed, are permanent when dry, often are not recommended for use on fabric; usually are permanent on non-posous surfaces, and require care when using due to the solvents included in the ink.
The sites of ink companies usually have a chart listing the types of ink they produce and the best uses for those inks. Ink companies usually provide recommended uses and substrates on the packaging of each pad.
One tip...always buy the reinker when purchasing a pad. Those little bottles are as handy as can be; reinking the pad is only one of the many ways that ink can be used.
Pigment Ink/Dye Ink
