Pigment Specifications

Understanding the Specifications

Names & Classification: Pigments are identified by common names and by Colour Index Generic Names and Constitution Numbers. The Colour Index is a standard reference maintained by textile and dye organisations that lists manufactured colour products under dual identifiers (generic names and constitution numbers). This system resolves conflicting historical or proprietary names and makes it easier to compare pigments across manufacturers and mediums.

Composition & Identification: At their core, pigments are chemical compounds that are insoluble and chemically unreactive in a paint medium. The table lists the chemical composition and synonyms for each pigment so you can see whether it is an organic or inorganic mineral and learn about its historical uses.

Lightfastness & Permanence: Lightfastness measures a pigment’s resistance to fading or colour change when exposed to light. Pigments with high lightfastness retain their original colour and brightness over time. The permanence rating takes into account exposure to light, moisture and other environmental factors; choosing high‑lightfastness pigments is crucial for artworks intended to last.

Physical Properties: This column includes opacity, particle size and tinting strength. Fine pigments often offer improved hiding power but may trade off lightfastness, while coarser pigments can provide unique texture. A higher colour strength means less pigment is required to achieve a standard depth of shade.

Standard Depth: Standard depth of shade is an industry‑wide benchmark for comparing tinting strength. The higher a pigment’s colour strength, the less pigment you need to reach a specific depth of colour. This indicator helps you gauge the pigment’s efficiency when mixing paints.

Safety & Handling: Some pigments contain heavy metals or other hazardous materials. Always wear a dust mask and gloves when working with dry pigments, keep work surfaces clean and avoid inhalation or ingestion. Natural Pigments recommends transferring dry pigments to sealed containers, labeling them clearly, and following all warning labels to minimise risk.

Paint Making & Resources: Hand‑mulling pigments into a binder breaks down agglomerates and disperses pigments evenly, improving colour saturation and opacity. If you’re interested in making your own paints, explore our tutorials and paint‑making kits, which include mullers, glass plates and protective equipment.

Finally, our pigment catalogue extends beyond the specifications table. Explore our collections of earth pigments, curated pigment powder sets and shop all pigments to find the perfect hue for your studio.