Inkjet Prints
Digital Prints 2006 more photos from digital output than film Only 14% of images printed - almost all on home inkjet printers 2003 digital cameras outsold traditional cameras in Canada
4 Common Printing Methods Inkjet Dye sublimation Digital photo processor (photo labs/colour snap shots) Electrography (laser prints)
Dye Sublimation
Digital Exposure to Photo Paper
Continuous flow Iris print/giclée Inkjet Printers Drop-on-demand or impulse jet Thermal (Canon Bubble Jet) Piezoelectric (Epson printers)
Typical Inkjet Ink Formulation Colourant (dye or pigment) Deionized water and cosolvents Solubilizing agent/dispersant Base ph buffer Defoamer Wetting agent Humectant Chelating agent Corrosion inhibitor Biocide Binder Viscosity modifier
Iris Print Iris 3074 1989 2000ish Poor light stability
Iris Print Date Printer/Ink Paper Light Framed Under Glass Light Framed UV Filter 1991 Iris 3074 Arches BFK Heavy WC 1996 Iris 3074 Nash Inks 2000 Iris 3074 Equipoise Ink 2000 Epson Stylus Pro 7500, 9500, P2000 Epson Archival inks Iris Semi Matte Coated InkJet Somerset Velvet uncoated Somerset Velvet uncoated Epson Premium Lustre Epson WC 4 years 1.4 years 4 years 1.8 years 22 years 25 years 22 years na >225 years >250 years >225 years >250 years
Drop on Demand Printer Inks Dye based inks Pigment based inks Combination
Drop on Demand Thermal Ink Jet Factoid Ink cartridge heats up to +299 C Heat creates a vapor bubble that expands to eject a tiny ink droplet at +30 mph This action repeats several times per second!
Dye Based Inks Traditionally better colour gamut Epson Ultrachrome 3 (hybrid) More fugitive in light Water and high RH sensitive Gaseous pollutants
Gaseous Contaminants Dye based ink on porous paper www.imagepermanenceinstitute.org
Inkjet Fine art papers Papers Acid-free, buffered, lignin free, OB free Epson UltraSmooth Fine Art Moab Entrada (Legion) Arches Infinity Coated
Swellable and Porous Coated Papers Increases ink stability, image quality Reduces ink burring and/or bleeding
Swellable Swells with moisture from water based inks 3 layers including: Protective top layer fixes the ink in place Secondary layer absorbs additional inks
Porous Surface 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 Dye Less gloss more matte Feel slightly sticky Short drying time Rub test: water = no change Pigment Water soluble Water resistant Visible difference in surface gloss
Double Sided Papers www.inkjetart.com/photo_papers/duo/duplex.html
Identification
Image Permanence Institute Digital Sample Book
Deterioration Pathways Light Relative humidity Temperature
Light Light stability studies vary Pigment based inks generally recommended
www.wilhelm-research.com Light Testing
www.wilhelm-research.com
WIR
Life Expectancy Longevity Paper Choice Matters Printer Paper Display Years Epson 2200 Espon W/C 90 Hammermill Jet Print ~30 Epson 820,825.. Epson Colorlite Semigloss 27 CompUSA High Gloss 5 Traditional Photo Fujicolor Crystal Archive 60 Processing Kodak Ektacolor Edge 8 22 March 2003
www.wilhelm-research.com Epson C 86
Epson Fiber Paper
Ultrachrome Inks
HP Vivera Inks
Canon Inks Chromalife dye based +100 WIR Lucia pigment based 12 colour Currently being tested
Exhibition Frame to conservation standards Glazing porous papers
Storage ISO 18920-2000 Reflection Prints Storage Practices Extended term storage Maximum temperature -3 C Maximum RH 30 50% New technologies degradation rates unknown
PEM 2 Datalogger Image Permanence Institute Climate Control Notebook DEMO
Storage Enclosures Paper All materials must pass the PAT Buffered 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 Enclosures Paper Advantages/Disadvantages Opaque protect from light but also means more handling as the photo has to be removed to be seen Porous off-gassing chemicals can escape rh Cost generally less expensive than plastics Identification write with pencil on paper
Storage Enclosures Plastic All materials must pass the PAT Safe plastics include polypropylene, polystyrene, HD polyethylene, polyester Avoid plastics with PVC, plasticizers and other additives Trade names include Print File, Clear Vue NOT recommended for dye based inkjet prints
Negative Storage Enclosures Plastic Advantages/Disadvantages Clear can easily see image inside less handling Handling plastic can abrade the image avoid frosted and LDPE Not porous Identification not as easy to write on as paper
Dye Inks + Water + Wrong Paper =
2 Minutes
Acquisition Information to collect Process category Printer Type of ink Type of paper Surface coatings
New Info Motion Picture Film Database Available from the CCA later this year FACET www.dlib.indiana.edu/projects/sounddirections/