Metal complexes, which were prepared from the reaction of an N‐salicylidene(4‐aminotoluene‐3‐sulfonic acid) Schiff base ligand (H2L) with Cu (II), Zn (II), and Ce (III), were characterized and confirmed by elemental analysis, molar conductance measurement, melting point, Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), electronic spectra, magnetic susceptibility, thermal analysis, and qualitative and quantitative antimicrobial studies. The geometry of the compounds was optimized using the semiempirical PM3 Hamiltonian with Restricted Hartree–Fock (RHF) and root‐mean‐square (RMS) gradient of 0.05 kcal/mol. The ligand and its metal complexes were physically incorporated into a water‐based paint and flexographic ink formulation to study their antimicrobial properties and performances as metal‐complex pigments. The results of their performance tests further enhanced their applications as pigments. The mechanical resistance of the prepared paint and ink was also studied to evaluate the possible drawbacks that were associated with the addition of the prepared pigments. Compared with the blank sample, the studies indicated that the physical incorporation of Cu complexes slightly enhanced the mechanical properties of the painted films (the gloss values, hardness, and adhesion) and printed paper (gloss, color strength [density], and abrasion resistance) according to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Further, regarding the antimicrobial test, the obtained results can be represented according to the following activity order: the prepared ligand > Zn complex > Ce complex > Cu complex before or after the incorporations of the paint and ink.