Abstract: Disclosed are ink compositions comprising a liquid vehicle and a colorant, wherein the colorant comprises polymer-enclosed color-imparting particles, wherein the particles are enclosed by a friable polymer. Also disclosed are methods for making an ink composition and methods for improving the transparency of an ink composition comprising a pigment colorant.

Abstract: Articles are disclosed wherein a color-imparting non-hiding coating layer is deposited on a surface thereof. The coating layer is deposited from a protective coating composition comprising color-imparting particles having a maximum haze of about 10% and a film-forming resin. Methods of using the coatings, and the substrates coated therewith, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A protective and decorative coating composition including about 2 to 10 different colorants which in combination with a resinous composition produce a desired visible coating. A majority of the colorants has a maximum haze of about 10% and exhibits an absorbance peak in the visible spectrum wherein at least about 50% of the total absorbance in the visible spectrum occurs at wavelengths within about 50 nm of the wavelength of the peak absorbance.

Abstract: A coating composition for applying to a substrate and containing a resinous binder with fluorescent colorants in an upper layer and light-absorbing particles in a lower layer. The coating composition exhibits a first color when exposed to light of a first intensity, the first color being dominated by absorbance of light by the colorants and the light-absorbing particles. When exposed to light of a higher intensity, the coating composition exhibits a second color dominated by fluorescent light emitted by the colorants.

Abstract: A coating composition containing a resinous binder with colorants and reflective pigments. The colorants absorb visible light at a first wavelength and produce fluorescent light at a second wavelength band when exposed to visible light. When applied to a substrate, the coating composition appears as one color on face from the specular reflection of the colorants off the reflective pigments and a different color on flop from the fluorescent light produced by the colorants.

Abstract: A protective and decorative coating composition including semiconductor particulate colorants which in combination with a resinous composition produce a desired color. The colorants are semiconductor particles which exhibit sized-quantized absorption of visible light and have a particle size of up to about 12 nm.