The selection of a pigment for a particular application is determined by cost, and by the physical properties of the pigment itself. The following are some of the attributes of pigments that determine their suitability for particular manufacturing processes and applications:

• Lightfastness and sensitivity to damage from ultra violet light
• Heat stability and
• Duration of heat stability
• Food Approval
• Dispersion
• Opacity or transparency

Powder pigment blends offer superior performance in certain applications, and can also be more cost effective in the long term.