Inkjet Prints

Digital Prints2006 – more photos from digital output than film Only 14% of images printed - almost all on home inkjet printers2003 – digital cameras outsold traditional cameras in Canada

4 Common Printing MethodsInkjetDye sublimation Digital photo processor (photo labs/colour snap shots)Electrography (laser prints)

Dye Sublimation

Digital Exposure to Photo Paper

Inkjet PrintersContinuous flow

Iris print/Giclée

Drop-on-demand or impulse jetThermal (Canon Bubble Jet)Piezoelectric (Epson printers)

Typical Inkjet Ink FormulationColourant (dye or pigment)Deionized water and cosolventsSolubilizingagent/dispersantBasepH bufferDefoamer

Wetting agentHumectantChelating agentCorrosion inhibitorBiocideBinderViscosity modifier

Iris Print

Iris 30741989 – 2000ishPoor light stability

Iris PrintDate Printer/Ink Paper Light Framed

Under GlassLight Framed

UV Filter

1991 Iris 3074 Arches BFK Heavy WCIris Semi Matte Coated

InkJet

4 years1.4 years

4 years1.8 years

1996 Iris 3074Nash Inks

Somerset Velvet uncoated

22 years 25 years

2000 Iris 3074Equipoise Ink

Somerset Velvet uncoated

22 years na

2000 Epson Stylus Pro 7500,

9500, P2000Epson

Archival inks

Epson Premium Lustre Epson WC

>225 years>225 years

>250 years>250 years

Drop on DemandPrinter Inks

Dye based inksPigment based inksCombination

Drop on Demand

Thermal Ink Jet FactoidInk cartridge heats up to +299°CHeat creates a vapor bubble that expands to eject a tiny ink droplet at +30 mphThis action repeats several times per second!

Dye Based Inks

Traditionally better colour gamutEpson Ultrachrome 3 (hybrid)

More fugitive in lightWater and high RH sensitiveGaseous pollutants

Gaseous ContaminantsDye based ink on porous paper

www.imagepermanenceinstitute.org

PapersInkjet Fine art papers

Acid-free, buffered, lignin free, OB freeEpson UltraSmooth Fine ArtMoab Entrada (Legion)Arches Infinity

Coated

Coated PapersSwellable and Porous

Increases ink stability, image qualityReduces ink burring and/or bleeding

SwellableSwells with moisture from water based inks 3 layers including:

Protective top layer – fixes the ink in placeSecondary layer – absorbs additional inks

PorousSurface is coated with small, inert particles

Inorganic oxides – silica alumina and titanium dioxide

Ink deposited in the tiny cavities Particles prevent ink spreading

Swellable Porous

Higher gloss‘Feels’ smooth

Rub test: water = slippery

Less gloss more matte‘Feel’ slightly sticky‘Short drying time

Rub test: water = no change

Dye Pigment

Water soluble Water resistantVisible difference in surface gloss

Double Sided Papers

www.inkjetart.com/photo_papers/duo/duplex.html

Identification

Image Permanence InstituteDigital Sample Book

Deterioration PathwaysLightRelative humidityTemperature

LightLight stability studies varyPigment based inks generally recommended

Light Testing

www.wilhelm-research.com

www.wilhelm-research.com

WIR

Life ExpectancyLongevity – Paper Choice Matters

Printer Paper Display YearsEpson 2200 Espon W/C 90

Hammermill Jet Print ~30

Epson 820,825.. Epson Colorlite Semigloss 27CompUSA High Gloss 5

Traditional Photo Fujicolor Crystal Archive 60Processing Kodak Ektacolor Edge 8 22

March 2003

Epson C 86

www.wilhelm-research.com

Epson Fiber Paper

Ultrachrome Inks

HP Vivera Inks

Canon Inks

Chromalife – dye based +100 WIRLucia – pigment based – 12 colour

Currently being tested

ExhibitionFrame to conservation standardsGlazing – porous papers

StorageISO 18920-2000 Reflection Prints Storage PracticesExtended term storage

Maximum temperature -3°CMaximum RH 30 – 50%

New technologies degradation rates unknown

PEM2 DataloggerImage Permanence InstituteClimate Control Notebook DEMO

Storage EnclosuresPaper

All materials must pass the PATBuffered paper (pH 7 – 9.5) for all B/W photographic media. Use side seam envelopes with emulsion side away from the seam

ISO 18902-2000

Acid Migration

Negative Storage EnclosuresPaper –

Advantages/DisadvantagesOpaque – protect from light but also means more handling as the photo has to be removed to be seenPorous – off-gassing chemicals can escape –rh ↑↓Cost – generally less expensive than plasticsIdentification – write with pencil on paper

Storage EnclosuresPlastic

All materials must pass the PATSafe plastics include polypropylene, polystyrene, HD polyethylene, polyesterAvoid plastics with PVC, plasticizers and other additivesTrade names include Print File, Clear Vue NOT recommended for dye based inkjet prints

Negative Storage EnclosuresPlastic –

Advantages/Disadvantages

Clear – can easily see image inside –less handlingHandling – plastic can abrade the image – avoid frosted and LDPENot porousIdentification – not as easy to write on as paper

Dye Inks + Water + Wrong Paper =

2 Minutes

AcquisitionInformation to collect

Process categoryPrinterType of ink Type of paperSurface coatings

New InfoMotion Picture Film DatabaseAvailable from the CCA later this year

FACETwww.dlib.indiana.edu/projects/sounddirections/