D&C Lakes and Oxides

The dyes used in these pigments are highly concentrated, meaning their colours are very intense. 

Lake dyes are produced from dyes and manufactured with metallic salts. Created from refined petroleum, they are organic synthetics, and contain atoms such as carbon. Lake pigments with greater colour strength are referred to as ‘high dye’ pigments, and contain a high quantity of dye. ‘Low dye’ lake pigments contain lower amounts of dye, resulting in a reduced colour vibrancy. The colours in lake pigments and dyes do not bleed, due to their inability to dissolve in oil. These powders are also UV stable. It is best to add a little powder at a time, until the shade is correct for your chosen application. This material is excellent for plastic applications and other oil-based products.

Oxide powders contain metal derivatives from common mineral elements such as iron. They are UV stable and don't bleed.

D&C dyes have high absorbency rate. As lake pigments are water-soluble, they simply disperse in powder form. Initially, if the water it’s in is agitated, it will simply tint the water, leaving some residual sediment floating in the water. When left for a short amount of time, the dye in the lake pigment will deepen the colour of the water. Even so, the result is only a pale hue.

A common D&C Lake is the colour additive Aluminium Lake. Whilst it doesn't contain the element aluminium in its pure form, it is instead composed of aluminium oxide, which is a popular colouring agent in medical pills.