Difference Between a Dye and a Pigment

How do leather dyes and pigments differ?
Read our information to find out and help you understand how the finishes on a leather surface can appear different.

Leather Dyes

• Dyes are translucent in colour, a variety of subtle shading occurs when applied to the leather.
• Dyes are used in the leather manfucturing of aniline type leathers where a high level of colour transparency is required to produce a natural colour on the surface.
• Dyes are soluble in water and solvent based liquids.
• Dyes are less resistant to rubbing, therefore dye transfer can occur on to fabrics.
• Dyes are vunerable to light fastness, and can fade in sunlight.
• Dyes do not bond to a surface, they absorb in to the leather surface to create colour.
• Dyes are can be organic based.

Water Based Leather Pigments

• Pigments are solid in colour and give a more even coverage over the leather surface, pigmented leather surfaces can be repaired easily.
• Pigments are more resistant to rubbing, therefore it is rare for pigments to transfer colour on to fabrics.
• Pigments are very resistant to sunlight.
• Pigments bond to the leather surface as it is suspended in a carrier bonder.
• Modern pigments are usually derived from a man made chemical.
• Pigments are not insoluble within a liquid, thats why we may see the colour split from the carrier fluid when it settles, this is why we need to give the contents a good shake before use.