Phthalocyanine Blue for Printing Ink and Industrial Coatings: A Selection Guide
Shanghai Baiyan Industrial Co., Ltd. was founded in 2010. The company is ISO9001:2015 certified, most products pass EU RoHS, and SGS certified products are exported worldwide. With own import/export rights and a sales network across Shanghai, Wenzhou, Fujian, Guangdong, Hebei and Chengdu, Baiyan supports ink and coating manufacturers looking for consistent phthalocyanine blue grades.
Phthalocyanine blue is a key colorant for printing inks and industrial coatings. However, the best grade depends on the ink type, coating system, and performance target. This guide covers the main selection points for offset ink, water-based ink, and coatings.
Offset Ink vs Water-Based Ink: What Changes?
Offset inks and water-based inks place different demands on the same blue pigment. In offset ink, the pigment must disperse well in the ink vehicle and support a strong, bright print. Both 1530 Blue BGS and 1502 Blue BX are positioned for offset ink. 1502 Blue BX is described as a high-concentration reddish blue, which can appeal when formulators need a redder blue shade in offset systems. 1530 Blue BGS is also used in offset ink and brings high hiding power and good dispersibility.
Water-based inks introduce another requirement: hydrophilicity. Because water-based vehicles are different from offset ink systems, a grade that wets out and disperses well in water-based formulations helps support stable processing and final appearance. Baiyan offers several grades for water-based ink: 1530 Blue BGS, 1501 Blue B, 1502 Blue BX, and 5329 Green G. Among these, 1501 Blue B is noted for high gloss and good hydrophilicity, making it a practical candidate for water-based ink, coating, color paste, and plastic applications. For formulators working with a pigment paste, good hydrophilicity and gloss can help the paste integrate smoothly into the final ink or coating.
In both offset and water-based inks, dispersion and gloss are important selection criteria. Good dispersion supports consistent color development, while gloss influences the final print or coating appearance. This is why grade selection should start with the ink system, not only with the color index.
Why Stable Beta PB15:3 (BGS) Is the Workhorse for Inks
Phthalocyanine Blue BGS — Baiyan’s 1530 Blue BGS — is a PB15:3 stable beta grade and the company’s flagship phthalocyanine blue. It is used in paint, plastic, offset ink, water-based ink and textile printing coating. Its key features are high hiding power and good dispersibility.
The stable beta form is especially relevant for inks and coatings because it is a known crystal form for phthalocyanine blue. In practical B2B terms, 1530 Blue BGS offers formulators a single grade that can be considered across multiple ink and coating platforms. For offset inks that need hiding power and reliable dispersion, it is a natural starting point. For water-based inks where dispersion and compatibility matter, it is also listed as a suitable grade. That breadth is why Phthalocyanine Blue BGS is often treated as the workhorse choice when the formulation needs a stable beta blue with high hiding power.
Matching Grade to System
Use the table below as a starting point. Always confirm the final choice through application testing in the actual ink, coating, or plastic system.
| Grade | C.I. / Form | Typical Systems | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1530 Blue BGS | PB15:3, stable beta | Paint, plastic, offset ink, water-based ink, textile printing coating | High hiding power, good dispersibility; flagship |
| 1500 Blue B | PB15:0 | Printing ink, paint, coating, plastic, rubber, stationery | Good dispersibility, bright shade |
| 1501 Blue B | PB15:0 | Water-based ink, coating, color paste, plastic | High gloss, good hydrophilicity |
| 1502 Blue BX | PB15:0 | Plastic, water-based ink, textile printing coating, offset ink | High-concentration reddish blue |
| 1520 Blue BNCF | PB15:2 | High-temperature paint, engineering plastic, coil coating | Nano-grade, high hiding power |
For water-based ink and pigment paste applications, 1501 Blue B can be a logical candidate because of its high gloss and good hydrophilicity. For offset ink and water-based ink where a redder, high-concentration blue is desired, 1502 Blue BX may be considered. For high-temperature paint, engineering plastic and coil coating, 1520 Blue BNCF is the listed nano-grade option with high hiding power.
Coating Notes: Hiding Power and Weather Fastness
In industrial coatings, hiding power and weather fastness are central selection criteria. 1530 Blue BGS is noted for high hiding power and is used in paint, plastic, offset ink, water-based ink and textile printing coating. 1520 Blue BNCF is a nano-grade pigment with high hiding power for high-temperature paint, engineering plastic and coil coating. 1500 Blue B is used in paint and coating with good dispersibility and a bright shade. 1501 Blue B is used in coating with high gloss and good hydrophilicity, and 1502 Blue BX is used in textile printing coating, plastic, water-based ink and offset ink as a high-concentration reddish blue. 5329 Green G (PG7) is a phthalocyanine green grade for textile printing coating and water-based ink when a green shade is required alongside blue.
For exterior or demanding coating environments, weather fastness 5/5 is a useful benchmark to discuss during sampling. Combine that target with hiding power requirements and the coating system chemistry to narrow the grade. If the application involves high-temperature paint, engineering plastic or coil coating, 1520 Blue BNCF should be part of the evaluation. If the focus is general paint, plastic or ink, 1530 Blue BGS, 1500 Blue B or 1501 Blue B may fit depending on gloss, hydrophilicity, and shade.
Quote-Request Checklist
To get a fast and accurate quotation from Baiyan, prepare the following:
- Ink or coating system: offset ink, water-based ink, paint, coating, textile printing coating, plastic, rubber, stationery, or another listed application.
- Grinding equipment: describe the mill, disperser, or grinding process used in production.
- Target shade vs C.I. number: confirm whether you need PB15:3, PB15:0, PB15:2, or a green PG7, and whether the target is a standard blue, bright shade, or reddish blue.
- Performance priorities: high hiding power, good dispersibility, high gloss, good hydrophilicity, nano-grade, or high-concentration.
- Regulatory and quality needs: ISO9001:2015, EU RoHS, and SGS certification requirements for your market.
- Sample quantity and delivery location.
Shanghai Baiyan Industrial Co., Ltd. is ISO9001:2015 certified, most products pass EU RoHS, and SGS certified products are exported worldwide. The company has own import/export rights and a sales network across Shanghai, Wenzhou, Fujian, Guangdong, Hebei and Chengdu.
For technical selection and quotation, contact Anne at +86 150 5830 7390 or Anne410139946@outlook.com.