Frequently Asked Questions

A glow pigment – also called glow powder or glow in the dark pigment – stores light and releases it in the dark as a glow, without electricity. Our pigments are made of strontium aluminate doped with europium and dysprosium and coated with SiO₂. The powder does not dissolve; it is stirred into a carrier such as resin, varnish or paint.

Fluorescent materials only glow while they are illuminated – under black light, for example – and go out as soon as the light is switched off. Phosphorescent materials store the light and keep glowing in the dark afterwards. Our glow pigments are phosphorescent; under UV light they also glow particularly intensely. More in Afterglow explained.

Both glow equally brightly. Zinc sulfide glows for only a very slightly shorter time. Almost all our pigments are made of strontium aluminate; the orange glow powder is a sulfide (calcium sulfide) for special applications.

Green and yellow-green – the natural glow colour of strontium aluminate. Blue-green and untinted blue follow closely. Tinted shades such as orange, red, pink, purple or bold blue glow more weakly and for a shorter time. Purple can practically only be charged with UV light. A true red is not possible with glow pigments.

No. Like all modern glow pigments, ours are not radioactive. Radioactive luminous paints were used on watches in the early 20th century and are no longer used for this today.

Any light source. Guide values for a full charge: UV light from 365 nm 2–4 minutes, sunlight 6–9 minutes, fluorescent lamp 20–24 minutes, incandescent bulb about 25 minutes.

After a full charge and in complete darkness: pigments with a light, whitish daylight colour (green, yellow-green, blue-green, blue) up to 12 hours, lightly tinted shades up to 4 hours, dark tinted shades and white up to 2 hours. The glow is most intense in the first few minutes; after one to two hours it fades to a faint glimmer that is only visible in real darkness.

Usually for one of these reasons: the surroundings are not dark enough (even a street lamp outshines the glimmer), the material was not fully charged, the carrier is too dark or opaque, or it contains too little pigment. Your eyes also need a few minutes to adjust to the dark. Afterglow is an aid for orientation and effects, not a light source.

As often as you like. The pigments age only very slightly and can be charged with light again and again.

As a starting point, approx. 20% pigment relative to the carrier – so about 20 g for 100 ml of clear varnish. In opaque carriers such as white wall paint, 30–50% is needed. More pigment glows more intensely, but above about 30% in clear carriers the gain is small. Always test the mixture on a small sample first. The mixing calculator works out the amount for your quantity.

With almost any carrier that is light or transparent once dry: epoxy and casting resin, clear varnish, acrylic binder, glue, wallpaper paste, wax, silicone, plaster or modelling compound. The more transparent and lighter the carrier, the stronger the glow. Dark carriers and varnishes with UV filters absorb glow.

Yes, preferably into light paint such as white or pale yellow, with 30–50% pigment. Prime dark surfaces in a light colour first. For the most even effect, apply the pigment in clear varnish in several thin coats over the paint.

In thin, runny resin the pigment sinks, and then mainly the underside glows. Let the mixed resin thicken briefly before stirring in the pigment – or add it only to a top layer. Use the pure pigment for resin, not ready-made glow paint.

Yes, that is possible. However, this does not create a new shade as with painting colours, but both glow colours side by side.

Yes, the glow pigments are water-resistant thanks to their SiO₂ coating. The 1 mm glow granules, on the other hand, are not waterproof: they more or less dissolve in water and lose their glow. For use in or near water, use the 4 mm granules (bound in synthetic resin) or pigments embedded in resin or clear varnish.

Yes. Embed pigment or granules in a weather-resistant clear varnish or in epoxy resin, and seal heavily used surfaces with a transparent top coat. Cover glow paint and glow film outdoors with clear varnish or protective film.

The pure, untinted pigment withstands up to 1,200 °C. Tinted pigments should no longer be used above about 150 °C.

For painting and brushing on solid surfaces, ready-made glow paint is the easiest. For stirring into resin, varnish, glue or silicone, use glow powder. For sprinkling, pressing into fresh surfaces or as decoration, granules are suitable – for concrete, for example, pressed into the fresh surface and sanded.

Our strontium aluminate pigments are not classified as hazardous under CLP; details are given in the safety data sheet. Avoid dust and contact with skin and eyes when processing larger quantities. The exception is the orange calcium sulfide pigment: it is labelled as a hazardous substance and must not be mixed with water. You will find all data sheets under Safety data sheets.

The raw pigment is not a toy. Our glowing building bricks are tested to EN 71, as required for toys. Stickers and glow films are decorative items; age information is given on the respective product pages.

Within Germany we ship with DHL in 1–3 working days. Shipping costs €3.90 and is free from an order value of €150. For deliveries to other countries the price depends on the country; from €250 shipping is free there too. Details under Shipping and payment.

Yes, to all EU countries as well as Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Deliveries to Switzerland and Liechtenstein are subject to import charges, which the carrier collects on delivery.

In addition to this shop, you will find our products on Amazon and eBay.

Yes. Bulk quantities, raw materials and industrial enquiries are handled by our sister brand Lumentify (lumentify.com). Some products such as glow candles and glow silicone are made on request for larger quantities.

By email at info@lumentics.de, by phone on +49 151 55687366 or via the contact form. We are happy to advise you on carrier, mixing ratio and processing.