Pigment

What is Pigment?

Silicone-safe colorant in powder or liquid form that is mixed into uncured silicone before pouring to determine the final color of the toy.

What Is Silicone Pigment?

In the fantasy toy manufacturing world, pigment refers specifically to platinum-cure-compatible colorants designed to be mixed into liquid silicone before curing. These are not ordinary paints or dyes — they are specially formulated to disperse evenly through the silicone matrix without interfering with the platinum-catalyzed cross-linking reaction. Pigments come in two primary forms: concentrated liquid dispersions that are pre-mixed in a silicone carrier for easy measuring, and dry powders (including micas and oxides) that must be thoroughly incorporated to avoid clumps or streaks. The pigment is added to the silicone after Part A and Part B are combined but before the mixture is poured into the production mold.

What Types of Silicone Pigment Exist?

The fantasy toy community uses several distinct pigment categories, each creating a different visual effect. Opaque pigments produce solid, light-blocking colors — the most common choice for single-color pours. Translucent pigments tint the silicone while allowing light to pass through, creating a candy-like or gem-like appearance. Mica powders add shimmer and metallic sparkle by suspending reflective mineral particles throughout the silicone. Glow-in-the-dark pigments contain phosphorescent compounds that absorb light and re-emit it in darkness. UV-reactive pigments fluoresce under black light. Many custom pours combine multiple pigment types — for example, an opaque base color with mica shimmer and a UV-reactive accent layer.

How Does Color Mixing Work?

Achieving a specific colorway requires precise pigment ratios, and this is where the maker's artistry truly shines. Too little pigment produces a washed-out, anemic result. Too much pigment can interfere with curing chemistry, create brittle silicone, or produce colors that bleed during washing. The ratio sweet spot typically falls between 1% and 8% pigment by weight, depending on the pigment type and desired intensity. Complex multi-color pours — like marble effects, color fades, and layered designs — require the maker to work with multiple pigmented batches simultaneously, pouring and swirling within the pot life window before the silicone begins to gel. A rogue color is the beautiful unpredictable result when a multi-pigment pour produces an unrepeatable pattern.

Why Do Safety and Compatibility Matter?

Not all colorants are safe for use in body-contact products. Pigments used in body-safe silicone toys must be specifically rated for skin contact and certified free of heavy metals, phthalates, and other harmful compounds. They must also be platinum-cure compatible — certain pigment chemistries can inhibit the platinum catalyst, causing incomplete curing and resulting in a tacky, unsafe product. Reputable makers source their pigments exclusively from specialty silicone suppliers and test every new pigment batch for cure compatibility before using it in production. When you order a custom pour from LustMonster and choose your colors, you can be confident that every pigment used is body-safe, cure-compatible, and precisely formulated for lasting vibrancy.