How do you test pigment ink?

[pelermon]

Yes - I thought it was on this forum, because the guy that sells ink on ebay ( I think it is mikling?) was the one that was threatened by the other company to remove the post.
Anyway, one of the moderators or experts with some chemistry knowledge told of a way to do a simple check with a solvent.
I wish I would have noted that instructional.

Might as well say it - The company was Atlantic Inkjet (I noted that because I wanted to know if it is true or not - but, it sounds like there dyes are good quality) and I don't think mikling was the one making the claim about the pigment either, but he had some information on the company's name changes.

Thats the beauty of these forums.

 

[pelermon]

For colors it's readily visible. But for black I use the egg yolk test. Get a piece of plastic and put a few drops of yellow in it, This will make a puddle of ink. Then place a drop of the ink in question in the yellow. A dye ink will immediately mix in and turn the yellow ink black. A pigment ink will just sit there in the middle and not mix at all. You can even try shaking it a bit, it won't mix.

Amazing - Thanks

 

[pelermon]

I gather the color match, fineness of pigment particles, and the ability for those particles to stay suspended and not settle (clogs head) are the most crucial properties of the pigment inks.
Of course solid content, UV protection, solvent quality, adhesion properties, and many other properties are a consideration as well.