Acid Dyes 

These dyes are easily soluble in water and sometimes soluble in polar solvents. It is important to note that the word acid refers to the molecular structure, and while many people are familiar with corrosive acids, that is not the case for an acid dye. Their unique properties allow for vibrant, bright and even fluorescent colors. 

Applications: 

  • Leather
  • Inks for pens and inket printers 
  • Coatings
  • Soaps and detergents
  • Cleaners
  • Antifreeze
  • Seed coatings
  • Pond dyes
  • Spray pattern indicators
  • Food, drug and cosmetics

Basic Dyes

These type of dyes are well suited for unbleached and recycled paper and boxboard in all types of applications. They can provide a brightness and strength, and their affinity for lignin-bearing fiber, along with their cost-effectiveness, make them a highly recommended choice for these uses. They are also easy to handle and apply, plus they work well in systems with automated control.

Applications:

  • Recycled paper
  • Recycled boxboard
  • Unbleached paper 
  • Unbleached boxboard 

Reactive Dyes

These type of dyes use a chemical reaction with the substrate, and this type of reaction allows for a very durable coloration due to the bonds that are formed during the process. They are less highly utilized due to the potential for hydrolytic bonds that they can form with water.

Applications:

  • Wool
  • Nylon
  • Cotton
  • Flax 

Direct Dyes

Unlike powder-based dyes that are soluble in water, direct dyes are often already in liquid form, eliminating dusting and providing optimal quality control. However, for certain applications that require deep shades on a cost-effective basis, like decorative paper, magazines and packaging, they are also available in powder form. They are well suited for large-scale, continuous applications and excel because of the bond formed between the dye and the cellulose fiber, but there are fewer bright colors as their structure is better suited to deeper shades. 

Applications:

  • Magazine and books: cover, text, printing and writing
  • Construction
  • Art and wrapping paper
  • Tissues
  • Paper towels and napkins
  • Packaging and paperboard
  • Newsprint
  • Soaps and detergents
  • Writing materials

Disperse Dyes

Because these dyes are insoluble in water, they are ideal for use in dying synthetic textile materials. Due to their insolubility, a dispersing agent in which the disperse dye is soluble is required when using them, and the dye must be applied in high temperatures. 

Applications:

  • Polyester fabric and yarn
  • Nylon fabrics
  • Polyester fabrics

Food, Drug and Cosmetic Dyes and Lakes

Food, Drug and Cosmetic (FD&C) dyes and lakes are certified by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for use in their respective applications. There are hundreds of products that are designed to meet the diverse range of needs found throughout these industries. With specific and vital regulations for each application, each product is designed to combine optimal performance, strength and brilliance with the safety needs set by regulators.

Products:

  • Powders: single dye and dye blends
    • Special powders: plating grades, triple grind
    • Granules: Dustmaster™, Extruclean™, low dusting
    • Liquids (water): single dye and dye blends
    • Specialty forms: delivered via glycerin, sugar and other carriers
  • Lake pigments: created by extending the water-soluble certified dyes onto a substrate of alumina hydrate

Lakes

Lakes are well suited to food packaging applications because they are water-insoluble and certified to be compliant with regulations. With the Lake Superior product, manufactured by a true state-of-the-art process, the more finely ground granules create more surface area for reflected light. Because they are insoluble, the lakes remain in particle form, meaning the smaller particle size is particularly beneficial to the performance of the pigment.  

Applications:

  • Inks
  • Films
  • Coatings
  • Can linings
  • Plastics 
  • Candles

Low Staining

These dyes are highly washable, easily rinsed, non-toxic and eco-friendly. They are useful in difficult environments in which bright, bold and saturated colors are required in a superior strength, with low particle sizes creating bright, brilliant colors. 

Applications:

  • Household and cleaning
  • Industrial
  • Automotive 
  • Children’s writing instruments

Pigments

Pigments create a high coloring power due to their insoluble colors and low particle size, causing them to be largely unaffected by the substrate into which they are incorporated. Because they are not incorporated, they remain in particulate form, meaning the smaller particle size is particularly beneficial to the performance of the pigment. 

Applications:

  • Non-aqueous and opaque systems
  • Mulches
  • Agriculture
  • Amenities management
  • Paper
  • Inks and surface coatings
  • Automotive
  • Homecare