Book excerpt: What would life be like without color? Ever since one can think back, color has always accompanied mankind. Dyes - originally obtained exclusively from natural sources - are today also produced synthetically on a large scale and represent one of the very mature and traditional sectors of the chemical industry. The present reference work on Industrial Dyes provides a comprehensive review of the chemistry, properties and applications of the most important groups of industrial dyes, including optical brighteners. It also outlines the latest developments in the area of functional dyes. Renowned experts in their respective fields have contributed to the chapters on chemical chromophores, synthesis and application of the various dye classes, textile dyeing and non-textile dyeing. The book is aimed at all professionals who are involved in the synthesis, production, manufacture or application of dyes and will prove to be an indispensable guide to all chemists, engineers and technicians in dye science and industry.