| Absorbers | Properties |
| Ink | + Low cost |
|
| + Available as solution |
|
| + Compliant with nearly all basis materials |
|
| * Wide spectral absorption |
|
| * Long term stable |
|
| − Huge differences between batches |
| Natural substances | + Low cost |
|
| * Mostly liquid |
|
| * Not compliant with solid basis materials |
|
| − Perishable, not long term stable |
|
| − Natural fluctuations, not reproducible |
| Artificial, macrobiological dyes | − Relatively expensive (approx. 90?g) |
|
| − Only solvable in special solvants |
|
| + Compliant with solid basis materials |
|
| * Narrow spectral absorption |
|
| − Limited choice in the infrared range |
|
| + Very reproducible |