Tom,
If you are referring specifically to stains, there are two different kinds. The difference is one is solvent based and the other is water based. Both have finely ground pigments where your color comes from. These stains need a protective coat due to the fact that you get little to no penetration of material into the wood.
There are other methods to color wood:
Dyes
Chemicals
Gas
These three either penetrate or react with the natural chemistry of the wood itself. These too need protection but not to bind pigments to the material. The wood needs to be sealed to protect it from moisture or water.
These different coloring processes require different skills and experience to look correct. Take some boards and experiment and decide which works best for you and the final look that you are after.
Then your next big decision will be finish type!
If you are referring specifically to stains, there are two different kinds. The difference is one is solvent based and the other is water based. Both have finely ground pigments where your color comes from. These stains need a protective coat due to the fact that you get little to no penetration of material into the wood.
There are other methods to color wood:
Dyes
Chemicals
Gas
These three either penetrate or react with the natural chemistry of the wood itself. These too need protection but not to bind pigments to the material. The wood needs to be sealed to protect it from moisture or water.
These different coloring processes require different skills and experience to look correct. Take some boards and experiment and decide which works best for you and the final look that you are after.
Then your next big decision will be finish type!