Special Effect Pigments

Special Effect Pigments

Kolortek's Special Effect Pigments cover nine product categories, each based on a distinct physical or chemical mechanism that produces effects beyond standard color or pearlescence. The range spans angle-dependent color shift, temperature-activated color change, UV-reactive color change, daylight fluorescence, phosphorescent glow, laser-diffracted holographic patterns, magnetic cat eye effects, metallic bronze luster, and the multi-angle iridescence of the Aurora series.

Chromashift Pigments produce a two-color angle-dependent shift — the perceived color changes as the viewing angle moves, using thin-film interference on a highly transparent substrate. Thermochromic Pigments change color in response to temperature, available in Colored-to-Colorless and Colored-to-Colored formats across activation temperatures from 16°C to 45°C, including a BPA Free food-grade series. Photochromic Pigments are UV-reactive — pale or colorless indoors, they shift to a deep color within one second of UV or sunlight exposure, returning to their rest state when UV is removed.

Fluorescent Pigments convert absorbed light including UV into visible emission, producing neon-bright colors under daylight that exceed the luminance of conventional pigments. Glow in Dark Pigments are phosphorescent — they store light energy and release it as sustained glow after the light source is removed, available in strontium aluminate (long-duration) and zinc sulfide (shorter-duration, lower cost) grades, including water-based compatible series. Holographic Pigments use laser-engraved diffraction gratings to produce rainbow spectral patterns that shift with viewing angle and light direction.

3D Cat Eye Magnetic Pigments contain magnetically alignable particles — when subjected to a magnetic field during application, they form a focused depth line that creates a three-dimensional cat eye visual effect in nail gel and coating films. Gold Bronze Pigments are copper-based metallic powders supplying opaque warm metallic finishes across gold, bronze, and copper tones. Aurora Pigments produce a multi-angle iridescent color play combining holographic and pearlescent characteristics for high-impact decorative and cosmetic applications.

TDS and SDS are available for all special effect series. Contact Kolortek to request samples or discuss which effect type and grade is appropriate for your application.