Digital Prints

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Mastering Digital Printing
Based on who’s doing the testing and which paper is used, pigmented inks currently offer
the most permanent prints available by inkjet printing (more than 100 years predicted by
Wilhelm Imaging Research for several ink/paper combinations, based on WIR’s test conditions).
This exceeds the predicted lifespan of traditional photo prints on Fuji Crystal
Archive, the longest-lasting wet-chemistry color photo paper, again according to WIR.
Inkjet printers running pigment inks (either OEM or third-party) still have the upper
hand in terms of lightfastness before noticeable fading occurs, although some dyeink/paper
combinations are closing the gap. For example, WIR rates Epson’s UltraChrome
inks on Epson Premium Glossy Photo Paper, Epson Premium Semigloss Photo Paper, and
Epson Premium Luster Photo Paper indoors under glass at 85, 77, and 71 years, respectively
(again, based on WIR display conditions). At the same time, HP’s #57 and #58
(Deskjet 5550) and #85 (Designjet 30/130) dye inks on HP Premium Plus Photo Paper
and HP Premium Plus Photo Satin papers are rated indoors under glass by WIR at 73 and
82 years, respectively. As you can see, those longevity ratings are very close! (Don’t forget
that it’s the specific combination of inks and paper that counts with permanence ratings.
Henry Wilhelm points out that that same 73-year rating with HP inks on HP paper drops
to only two years when an office supply store paper is substituted!)
The conclusion on permanence? Pick your printers—along with their built-in or thirdparty
ink and paper options—carefully if you’re interested in print longevity.
HP’s “durable-dye” based Designjet
130 (shown)and 30 printers are the
first inkjet printers to offer predicted
WIR permanence ratings (on matched
HP media) in the same range as many
pigment choices.
Courtesy of Hewlett-Packard Company