Pigment-based inks produce a mark that does not sink deeply into paper or other material. Some can even be scraped off of a surface with a razorblade or knife. These inks are usually less acidic than dye-based inks, especially historical types made from walnut husks or oak galls, and do not damage paper as badly. Most pigment inks do not fade in sunlight or suffer damage from bleaching.
The oldest and most common pigment inks use carbon powder in a gum binder and are technically a type of watercolor. These water-based inks can be made by simply mixing a gum and water solution with pigment. They typically use a higher concentration of pigment than watercolor paints. Chinese inks for brush-writing are still made this way. Other inks may use shellac, resin or oil-based binders. Colored inks use different pigments, but essentially the same manufacturing process.
Pigment writing and drawing inks are easier to remove from paper than dye-based inks. If bound with a water-soluble binder, they can even be completely washed away. Pigment inks often smudge in humid conditions, rendering them difficult to read. Since the ink is made up of many tiny particles, it is more likely to clog a pen or other instrument than dye-based alternatives.
Pigment-based ink for inkjet printers is structurally the same as writing or drawing ink, but has a few special characteristics. The pigment particles in printer ink are ground very fine and encapsulated in a resin material. According to MacWorld, these inks are more archival and more expensive than dye-based printer ink. Pigment inks also offer lower brilliance and a reduced color gamut compared to their dye-based cousins. This type of ink is usually found only in high-end photographic inkjet printers.