Comparing two of the most-used red lake pigments in printing inks and packaging across chemistry, shade, performance, and when to use each.
Both PR48:1 and PR57:1 are azo lake pigments built on the same BONA chromophore but with different metal salts. The result is two reds that look similar at first glance but behave differently in practice. Choosing wrong means either color matching problems with industry-standard CMYK or paying for performance you don’t need.
| Property | PR48:1 | PR57:1 |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | Barium salt of BONA-based azo | Calcium salt of BONA-based azo |
| CI Code | CI Pigment Red 48:1 | CI Pigment Red 57:1 |
| CAS Number | 7585-41-3 | 5281-04-9 |
| Shade | Bright bluish red | Cleaner, more bluish red (rubine) |
| Lightfastness | 5-6 (Blue Wool) | 5-6 (Blue Wool, slightly higher) |
| Heat stability | 180-200°C | 180-200°C |
| Alkali resistance | Moderate (3/5) | Limited (2/5), sensitive to alkalis |
| Acid resistance | Good (4/5) | Good (4/5) |
| Solvent bleed resistance | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) |
| Cost tier | Lower (good economics) | Slightly higher |
| Primary use | Offset / flexo printing inks for packaging | Process magenta CMYK in offset printing |
| Industry standard for | Bright bluish-red spot color | Process magenta (the M in CMYK) |
Choose PR48:1 for cost-effective bright bluish-red spot colors in packaging and publication printing where premium magenta isn't required. Performs well in solvent-borne paints, plastics, rubber compounding, and high-volume offset/flexo printing where price matters.
Choose PR57:1 when you need the industry-standard process magenta for CMYK printing. It's the reference shade for the M in CMYK and matches Pantone process magenta. Slightly cleaner shade and marginally better lightfastness justify the small price premium for premium printing applications.
Not without color shift. PR57:1 is the industry-standard process magenta, and substituting PR48:1 changes the shade noticeably (more orange-shade red instead of clean rubine). For commercial CMYK printing where Pantone process matching matters, stick with PR57:1.
Yes, both are REACH compliant when sourced from a quality manufacturer. Both are tested per EN ISO 17234 and EN ISO 14362 to confirm they don't release any of the 24 banned aromatic amines. Always request the 24-amines-free certificate per shipment from your supplier.
The calcium salt is more sensitive to alkaline conditions than the barium salt of PR48:1. In alkaline media (cleaners, cement), PR57:1 can shift shade or fade faster. For applications with alkali contact (cement-based products, alkaline cleaning resistance), PR48:2 or PR48:4 is a better choice.
Neither is ideal for plastics due to limited heat stability (180-200°C). For PVC pipe and HDPE/PP masterbatch, choose heat-stable alternatives: PR122 (quinacridone), PR254 (DPP), or PR170 (naphthol AS). PR48:1 and PR57:1 are primarily ink and paint grades, not heat-stable plastic grades.
Share your binder system, processing temperature, and required performance, and we'll recommend the right grade and ship a free 50-100g sample for qualification.