Pigment/Dye Ink System on Canon Pixma Printers Explained

Canon Pixma series printers are preferred by many businesses because of its exceptional speed, print quality, and remarkable features. It is for this reason that Canon continuously innovate printers of this type for different working environments. One notable printer is the Canon Pixma iP4600. It is a mid-range inkjet with impressive speed image quality that makes it one of the best in the market for photo printing.

The technology infused in Canon Pixma iP4600 is responsible for its outstanding speed while the Pigment/Dye Ink System is for the image quality. Pigment/Dye Ink System, as the name suggests, is a mixture of pigment-based ink and dye-based ink. For the Canon Pixma iP4600 it operates with 5 individual ink tanks or ink cartridges. One tank is pigment-based ink (PGI-220BK) and the remaining four are dye-based inks (CLI-221 Series). The ratio between these 2 different inks produces images in rich and vivid colors.

Pigment/Dye Ink System - Ink Versus Dye

Pigment-based Ink

A pigment ink contains a carrier liquid and tiny pigment particles - the combination of these results to a colored powder mixed in water. There are 2 advantages to pigment-based ink. One it is fade resistant; in comparison to dye ink, it fades much slower due to its UV light resistance properties. And two, its water resistant, which makes it an ideal ink for shirt and textile printing. The only downside to this particular ink is its susceptibility to rub off since its particles cannot be absorbed on paper easily.

Dye-based Ink

Dye ink is a fusion of water and water-soluble dye that creates a thicker zero particle mix. As mentioned above, it easily fades after prolonged exposure to sunlight for a period of time. And compared to pigment ink, it has a lower water resistance level that makes it susceptible to bleeding, smudges, and smear. Yet, its resultant image quality remains superior over pigment ink due to its complete liquid property, which results to subdue color tone. Additionally, this liquid property allows easy absorption when printed on inkjet paper. Moreover, dye ink is cheaper than the pigment based ones.

Pigment/Dye Ink System - How Both Work Together in the CANON PIXMA IP4600?

The difference between the two types of pigment inks serves as basis for users to choose which is more apt for their needs. But the idea of putting them together in an inkjet is at an advantage since the output is exceptional. Hence, users of Canon Pixma series printers which uses the Pigment/Dye Ink System can only expect to achieve quality, crisp, and clear image printouts that are fade and water resistant.

Purchasing the Ink Tanks

Canon Pixma iP4600 uses PGI-220bk and CLI-221 ink tanks. These replacement ink cartridges are widely available online. You can purchase an OEM which is costlier or you can opt for cheaper ones like compatible and remanufactured cartridges. Regardless, you will get exceptional print quality.