Inkjet ink for photos ?

[AlanS]

I am using an Epson 740....the color prints are fading...any ideas? different ink? is there a system that is designed for photos?

[canit]

In all the tests I've read Epson is ahead of the pack. Epson has special ink and paper(fade resistance) for what you want to do.

[NDC]

No there isn't a special ink for the Epson 740 series or the other series of Epson Printers. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[Bleeding Edge]

It could be a number of things:

-Third party inks or refills are being used.

-The print is being exposed to sunlight.

-The print is exposed to florescent lights that simulates natural lighting.

-Low quality paper is being used.

[otheos]

the new Epson series (100 light years or something) are guaranteed printouts for,, erm 100 years. check at their website, but I am sure this is for the new 2000 series not the 740, sorry.

[canit]

Epson DOES have a series of fade resistant printers, papers and inks. There is an article in the December issue(yes it is out now) of Digital Photographer, "Affordable Image Printers". In it reads "depending on the ink/paper combination used and the proper display conditions, image output on these units(Stylus Photo 870, 875DC,1270) can retain their color for up to 26yrs. The new Epson photo inks come standard with the printers and are used with either the breakthrough Epson premium glossy photo paper or the matte paper-heavyweight to achieve real photo-lab-quality prints with fade resistance."

[Bleeding Edge]

To re-emphasize, (just as Canit too points out) this 100~200+ year “life expectancy” of fade resistant inks (HP uses UV pigment-based inks,) is highly subject to the use of proper media; the application of additional surface treatments; and environmental conditions. (As with any print.)

The test conditions (with any make; Epson, HP,..) usually has the image under glass in a controlled museum environment. Humidity and temperature are consistently stable. No sunlight. No simulated sunlight. No accidental exposures to such.


My brother has couple of large format inkjet printers, and let me tell you, the UV pigment-based inks are very costly. $225 for the black ink alone and an additional $225 for each color. $900 to change ink! (The ink delivery system is so cool though. There’s the bag of liquid ink that has a tube with a compression fitting, that fills the ink cartridge which re-supplies the ink to each printhead cartridge as needed. It’s like a refueling station.)

Anyhow….

Outdoor graphics, like: vehicle graphics; murals; banners; billboards and stuff have an much shorter life-span than the rated fade expectancy of these inks. Even artist’s oil paint (that’s mostly [ratio] pure high quality pigment cut with linseed oil,) can’t withstand the bleaching effect of the sun and the enviorment. The color will eventually change. And in a shorter time than expected.

-Several years ago, there was an issue with a painting hanging in a newer modern museum. It was a permanent piece, a minimalist painting (I think it was a Rosenquist. Maybe it was one of Mark Rothko's...) It was hanging in the same place for a couple of years. A person (a friend of the artist) noticed that the painting on the wall was the wrong color and informed the museum that it was a fake. (She had seen the finished painting at his studio.) -Of course, to the museums extreme embarrassment, it turns out to be the real one that was being exposed to sunlight for a short amount of time every day over a number of years. They ruined a modern masterpiece. –Carelessness.

Below is the WIR test methods:

Wilhelm Imaging Research tested prints generated on HP DesignJet 2500CP/3500CP printers and printed with HP pigment-based UV inks. Using procedures developed by Wilhelm Imaging Research, the prints were framed under glass and exposed to approximately 30,000 lux for 24 hours a day. As a result of the testing, Wilhelm projects that the prints can last for more than 200 years before noticeable fading occurs, if displayed under typical museum lighting conditions (450 lux for 12 hours per day). The tested images were printed on Arches Hot Press Paper and Legion Waterford DI Paper. Wilhelm Imaging Research also is currently conducting ongoing tests using HP Studio Canvas, with current results indicating a 140-year lifetime before noticeable fading occurs.

[This message has been edited by Bleeding Edge (edited 10-03-2000).]

[Axel]

The paper makes a large difference - Ever notice that a magazine has the high gloss paper that almost feels like plastic - that has to do with the clay content in the paper as well as the fibers used to make the paper. Photographic printer paper has more clay content in it - the clay quickly absorbs and holds the ink - this stops it from bleeding out as much and - once dry - stays bonded to the clay and fibers better - so it doesn't fade as fast over time. Otherwise - light will fade just about anything over time. Reds typically go out first - can't comment on the specific science of it - but it has to do with wave lengths and the chemical properties of the elements used to actually produce the color of ink.
Ink for royal purple robes was once made from sea-shells - U.S. money was once printed with ink made from butterfly wings - natural products with complex chemical molecules that break down over time - thus the color fades....