Sourcing light-fast pigments for gum printing

I have been on the hunt for pigments that I can use for my tri colour gum bichromate over palladium prints... I get to the point of talking
with the owners of these groups and then for some reason , communications are failed.
Today I use Calvins pigments and are really happy with them but with the way the world is today I would love to buy a bulk order of pigments that I could manipulate
to use for the rest of my companys printing days, my assistant is 36 years of age and she is pretty good so I forsee a long run for us.
Any thoughts on where to source pigments with a Blue Wool scale rating of 8.

I'm of little help, as I only know (but can vouch for) Kremer in Germany.

Carnie Bob said:

Any thoughts on where to source pigments with a Blue Wool scale rating of 8.

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The resource that I've always found invaluable is the excellent information on pigments collated by Bruce MacEvoy on his website handprint.com
It's kind of hard to navigate, but for your purpose, the overview of popular pigments on this page is the most relevant: https://handprint.com/HP/WCL/palette1.html
Each of the pigments on the list you can click and find more info on, including light-fastness tests and additional notes, often based on his own testing on top of manufacturer's specifications.

Another list I'm less familiar with, but that may be complementary (with a lot of overlap) is this one: https://artistpigments.org/pigments

Once you've determined a 'hit list' of pigment names, it's fairly easy to find more information on those pigments.

Several times I've started with that list to determine which pigments might be relevant for my purposes and then start shopping from there. I find it's a whole lot easier to first figure out what I need and only then determine where I can best get it (in the price & quantity I need).

Finally, it's important to determine whether you're looking for a pigment, a pigment dispersion or something like a paint (i.e. a vehicle that includes the pigment). The color pastes of Calvin are essentially highly concentrated dispersions. You could also purchase dry pigments, but would have to face the challenge of dispersing them yourself. This can be done (Calvin does it, too, and so do I at a much smaller scale), but if you need good consistency and maximum chroma & covering power, it's kind of an art in itself - with a good deal of science mixed into it.

Hi Koraks

I see my post now is a thread, I am not looking for carbon transfer pigments but for gum bichromate, I understand they may be the same thing but if possible can you change the name of the title

thanks a bunch

Carnie Bob said:

Hi Koraks

I see my post now is a thread, I am not looking for carbon transfer pigments but for gum bichromate, I understand they may be the same thing but if possible can you change the name of the title

thanks a bunch

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Absolutely, it's done! Not sure how I managed to slip carbon transfer in; evidently my own preoccupation! As you said, in general the pigments that will work for carbon will also work for gum.

koraks said:

Absolutely, it's done! Not sure how I managed to slip carbon transfer in; evidently my own preoccupation! As you said, in general the pigments that will work for carbon will also work for gum.

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thanks Koraks

I have an example using the most permanent blue in the world, and even some of the original pigment itself. It was hand-ground and involved intercontinental travel to procure; and I inherited it. Only one or two places in the world sell it; and it typically costs more than gold per ounce. In other words, I'm talking about a variety of ground precious stone of exceptional color purity. Now that should factor in the "blue wool" scale! I could even dust it on my cat to get a blue cat.

Getting a comparable cyan process hue involves the highest quality suitable turquoise or malachite. No problem - just take out a loan with the Fuggers and get a second mortgage on the Vatican, like the Renaissance Popes did in order to afford interior decorators like Michelangelo.

Do you want a practical answer instead? I can help if it's a basic process CMY set. Pre-dispersed, mfg on industrial scale, probably available in your own city, affordable, and highly consistent batch to batch. Not quite as transparent or bright as some art store watercolor alternatives, but more permanent.

I'll send you a private message, since you already know just how much fun I have making you itch on a public forum!

DREW WILEY said:

I have an example using the most permanent blue in the world, and even some of the original pigment itself. It was hand-ground and involved intercontinental travel to procure; and I inherited it. Only one or two places in the world sell it; and it typically costs more than gold per ounce. In other words, I'm talking about a variety of ground precious stone of exceptional color purity. Now that should factor in the "blue wool" scale! I could even dust it on my cat to get a blue cat.

Getting a comparable cyan process hue involves the highest quality suitable turquoise or malachite. No problem - just take out a loan with the Fuggers and get a second mortgage on the Vatican, like the Renaissance Popes did in order to afford interior decorators like Michelangelo.

Do you want a practical answer instead? I can help if it's a basic process CMY set. Pre-dispersed, mfg on industrial scale, probably available in your own city, affordable, and highly consistent batch to batch. Not quite as transparent or bright as some art store watercolor alternatives, but more permanent.

I'll send you a private message, since you already know just how much fun I have making you itch on a public forum!

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No Cat Dusting!

Somebody even spliced DNA from a jellyfish into the cat genome, and produced a fluorescent green kitten! No- they aren't going breed and sell these; but it's still an outrageous bioengineering stunt.

As I'm typing, our little cat Bandita is sitting beside me. She has a black eye mask like a raccoon, and specializes in stealing office supplies like pencils, paper clips, erasers, etc.