The broad chemical principles underlying the application of dyes and pigments to a wide variety of substrates - such as textiles, surface coatings and plastics - are explained and illustrated. The various technologies of colour application are discussed. The physical basis of colour and its instrumental measurement are covered and recent applications, for examples in electronics and reprographics, are also featured. The subjects covered are: dye and pigment molecules; chemistry of polymeric substrates; surface coatings: paints and printing inks; the application of dyes; pigments and their application; textile printing; introduction to the physical basis and measurement of colour; machinery for dyeing textiles; pigment dispersion technology; non-textile uses of dyes; and, environmental and toxicology issues.