# Liquid Latex Painting vs Compounding Pigment

Human page: https://retifist.com/literature-reviews/liquid-latex-painting-vs-compounding-pigment

> **Safety.** Read TDS/SDS. Food-contact colorants ≠ wear clearance.

## Executive summary

**Compounding pigment** tints NR before film formation. **Surface paint** is a separate layer — often a **different polymer**. Consumer “latex paint” bottles need TDS polymer ID. Use this when decoding product names.

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## Three classes

| Class | Path |
| --- | --- |
| Compound pigment (dispersed in latex) | Liquid latex work[^1][^2][^3] |
| NR surface coat / prevulc deposit | Decoration branch[^4] |
| Acrylic/wrong polymer | Rejected for NR compound |

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## Compound prep

Dispersion **<5 µm**; emulsify oils first.[^2][^3]

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## Surface stretch

See [Printing & Surface Decoration](/literature-reviews/printing-surface-decoration-sheet) — elastomer ink architecture required.

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## Endnotes

[^1]: Vanderbilt — Class 3 dyes/pigments; raw film needs compounding.
[^2]: Vanderbilt — emulsion prep; oil-spot failure.
[^3]: Vanderbilt — dispersion <5 µm.
[^4]: Vanderbilt — prevulc dry-only branch (deposit context).

<details>
<summary>Deep dive: Dispersion vs emulsion failure modes</summary>

Hegman QC; drop test; homogenize limits.[^2][^3]

</details>

<details>
<summary>Deep dive: Styrene-acrylic vs prevulc NR</summary>

Name collision warning — polymer family from TDS.

</details>