Purpose The purpose of this study is to prepare new pigments derived from Red Lake C (RLC) to be applied in the inks industry and to identify their chemical nature, as well as their physical properties. Design/methodology/approach A number of pigments that could be applied in special printing were prepared via the reactions of RLC with appropriate Ni(II) and Zn(II) salts in aqueous and ethanolic solutions. The obtained pigments were prepared as solid compounds and characterized using different instrumental analysis such as Ultraviolet-Visible, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, 1H NMR spectra and magnetic measurements. The physical properties of these pigments were investigated using “American Standard Testing Methods” (ASTM). After that, the pigments were applied in ink formulations to test their performance and open the way to their real applications in the printing inks industry. Findings The results of this work revealed that the performance of the new prepared pigments is closer to the performance of the commercial pigments which are already used in ink industry. Research limitations/implications Red lake C, as well as the new pigments, can be applied in other different industries such as coated papers, crayons, rubber and baking enamels. Originality/value The prepared pigments will be economically feasible and a good alternative to the original expensive commercial pigments which are already used in the inks industry.

Purpose This study aims to investigate the possibility of synthesizing cobalt doped willemite ceramic blue pigment by using Egyptian white sand as environmental and economical raw material for multi-applications in coatings and inks. Design/methodology/approach After the synthesis process, the prepared blue pigment was characterized via X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis technique. Then the blue pigment was integrated into both coating and ink formulations. The effect of the prepared multifunctional coatings on corrosion resistance and thermal stability was evaluated using different standard tests. Also, the effect of inclusion of blue pigment in flexographic printing ink formulation was done. Findings The results showed that the coating containing the cobalt doped willemite blue pigment offered good anticorrosive performance and high thermal stability. Additionally, the presented results revealed that integration of the blue pigment in flexographic printing ink formulation enhanced fineness, gloss, viscosity and color more than the commercial one “FX 430–201.” Originality/value In conclusion, relied on the eco-friendly principle which can be regarded as an economic and green strategy, it can be obtained that this new pigment can provide good multifunctions such as corrosion resistance and thermal stability in coatings and good fineness, gloss, viscosity and color in inks which can enable them to be widely applied in different industries.

Purpose The pursuit of manufacturing new inks with low financial cost is an urgent economic demand. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to synthesize some new pigments derived from Lithol Rubine (LR) via a successful simple route and to investigate their physicochemical properties for usage in the inks industry. Design/methodology/approach Two novel pigments were generated during the reaction of LR with Mn(II) and Co(II) salts in ethanolic solutions. The obtained pigments were isolated as solid compounds and characterized through elemental analysis, UV–vis, Fourier transform infrared, 1H NMR spectra, oil absorption, specific gravity, melting point, molar conductivity and magnetic moment measurements. Their dyeing and durability characteristics were examined using American Standard Testing Methods. The synthesized pigments were then applied in inks formulation. Findings The printing inks containing the two new pigments (LR–Mn and LR–Co) were compared to (GF 59-606 and GF 59-616), respectively. The results of this study showed that the performance of newly prepared pigments was comparable to that of commercial pigments currently in use in the inks industry. Practical implications LR and its new derivative pigments can be used in other different applications such as paper coating, crayon, rubber and paint industries. Originality/value The authors designed an efficient synthesis for some novel pigments. The synthesis technique is featured by a short reaction time, high yields and ease of use. The pigments developed would be good and cost-effective substitute for the original commercially available and expensive pigments used in the inks industry.