PIGMA - PASSWORD TO PRESERVATION

It’s ironic that in our ever-increasing disposable society, the term "Permanence" has grown in importance for many people. Maybe that’s why hobbies like scrapbooking have become so popular, as a reaction to the quickening pace of our daily lives. Whether it’s a scrapbooking crop night at a friend’s house, or the ultimate in archiving---museum restoration, Pigma products have proven to be invaluable tools, from preserving memories to restoring historical documents.

While the new password for preservation is Pigma, the origin of Pigma ink was much different in design. In the days before Computer Aided Design, or CAD programs, architects and engineers employed large rooms full of people who did nothing but prepare plans for buildings, bridges, etc. The problem: drafting pens were expensive, costing at least $25, and many times, even more. Even though the pens were expensive, they still tended to clog and leak, among other problems. Imagine you’re a drafter and you’re halfway through a complex blueprint and your $25 pen leaks and you may have to throw away the whole original draft that you’ve been working on for days. From cost to clogs, drafting pens were a risky proposition.

PIGMENT POSITIVES

The advantage of pigment over dye is important in understanding why Sakura felt the need to develop a pigment ink-based drafting pen. Most pen inks in the 1980’s were dye-based, and pigment provided a huge advantage for providing permanence. Here’s why:
If pigments and dyes were cars on a highway, a pigment would be the biggest SUV and dye would be a compact. This is notable because in the battle of pigments vs. dyes, size matters.

Because of their increased size, pigment molecules break down more slowly and are more permanent than dye molecules. Dyes are much more susceptible to UV radiation and pollution for this same reason. For example, when light hits the small dye molecule it entirely damages it, but when light hits much larger pigment molecules only the surface is damaged. On the other hand, dye molecules’ smaller size also precipitate bleeding and spreading on a marked surface whereas pigments do not.

There are two elements of Pigma ink that make it such a superior product over dyestuff for people looking for permanence, including scrapbookers. Pigma’s color doesn’t change over time. When possible, Sakura uses single pigments for coloring, eliminating the possibility of pigment separation over time or exposure to outside elements. Secondly, Pigma ink also dries to a neutral pH, making it neither acid nor alkaline. As such, it doesn’t adversely affect the paper or other materials on which it’s used.

Another technical advantage of Pigma ink is that the dispersion of the particles within the water-based solvent is extremely stable due in part to the ink’s micron particle size. This prevents Pigma ink from settling and insures consistent shading, color hue, and ink flow. Sakura strives to produce each Pigma color from a single pigment producing uniform color.

PIGMA POSTSCRIPT

Although originally invented as a drafting tool, scrapbookers, crafters, illustrators, laboratories, museum curators, and many others who consider preservation of prime importance have adopted Pigma ink products. Because of its high resistance to alcohol, alkali, and acid, Pigma ink is a great complementary product with see-through markers (oil, alcohol or water-based) without the risk of running or other similar ink failure. These tests have produced no fading or discoloration.

In addition to the original Pigma Micron, there is virtually a Pigma for every preference. Pigma ink also comes in the broad and flexible Brush and the chisel-nibbed Graphic. For Pigma style, point-size and color availability, consult individual product pages HERE

When you buy Pigma today, you can count on it tomorrow.

Wolf Noble - Pigma Micron		Bill Haney - Pigma Micron

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