ink jet printing could fade?

[clou]

I have been doing digital scrapbooking for a short while now. Since the time has come to begin printing out my LOs, I have been reading all I can on the subject. It seems that most people who are printing at home are using ink jet printers. I know the inks are dye-based inks which fade quickly over time. I have personally decided to print only laserjet bc of the lasting qualities of the process. I would love to hear what others are thinking on this matter? Can we talk about ink jet versis laser jet/

[Kristen]

I print on an Epson inkjet that uses inks specifically designed to be light- and water-fast and last for decades without fading. HP & Canon (probably others) also have lines of printers/inks designed for longevity.

I seem to remember reading (so this is very vague) that inkjet prints brighter/more vibrant than laser. You've have to test them yourself to see if it makes a difference.

Wilhelm Imaging Research (http://www.wilhelm-research.com) is the place to find out about photo printing - traditional and ink-jet. I don't know if they have info about laser printing.

[Sonesta]

This is a very interesting subject. I am in the process of starting my "scrap for others" business, and I am also weighing how I will need to print the pages. I am considering using an outside source (i.e. Costco) right now, but have to take into consideration whether an outside source would print pages using someone else's photos (i.e. professional wedding photos, sports photos, etc.), but that's another subject. In this case, I would definitely need a printer that I could confidently print at home, without worry that I was giving my customers a second-rate ink.

[shazzt]

I understand that the Epson pigment inks are highly rated for longevity. I am not sure about others. My little Canon's inks fade quite badly after a time but different models use different ink so it pays to check with the manufacturer.

[ddor]

Quote by Kristen
I print on an Epson ink-jet that uses inks specifically designed to be light- and water-fast and last for decades without fading.

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I totally agree with Kristen I also have and Epson Stylus printer and will use nothing but Epson Inks (ever thought they cost more). I have had no problem with fading in over 15 years of printing.

Of course I also take very good care of my prints, just as you would or should with a watercolor. Make sure anything it touches is acid-free and not exposed to strong sunlight.

I love my Epson Printer.
Marj

[clou]

I have read that the pigment inks are the long lasting inks too...
With stamping, the dye based inks are known to fade & the pigment based inks are known to last & last. You said your inks for the Epson cost more. Have you been able to come up with a cost per 12 x 12? Is your Epson a wide format printer?

[ddor]

They cost more that generic ink that some use. My printer will print 13 wide and as long as you want. I just don't print larger than 8X10.5, mostly because of the cost of larger paper. I also don't have a need to print larger.

The reason I mentioned that Epson inks cost more is because if you use a generic ink it can void your Epson Warranty. There are Epson printers that do print a larger format.
Marj

[carlalee]

Well if you want to get uber geeky about printers, ink and such, try these folks. They will tell you every thing you ever wanted to but were afraid to ask! THT -c-
http://www.wilhelm-research.com/

[clou]

I don't mean to seem "uber geeky" about printing/inks BUT the whole point of our scrapbooking is to preserve our heritage for future generations. It seems to me that the inks we are using might be one of the most important things to get "anal" about. If we don't get that right, we are wasteing our time & money.

[Tina]

I use a canon pixma ip printer with Canon Chromolife 100 inks.

here is a Press Release on the product:

ChromaLife100 System

Canon's newly introduced ChromaLife100 system, comprising genuine Canon dye-based inks and specialized photo paper, delivers an exceptionally broad color gamut while making possible photo prints that resist fading for up to 100 years when stored in an archival quality photo album. Results based on accelerated testing by Canon under controlled temperature, humidity, and gas conditions. For the 100-year figure, Canon simulated storage in an album with plastic sleeves. For the 30-year lightfastness figure, Canon simulated display of a photo in a glass frame in an indoor location without direct sunlight or other high intensity light. The 10-year gastfastness figure is based on a testing ratio of gases typical to indoor air composition (O3: NOx:SOx--3:19:1) with 100 times concentration in order to accelerate color fading. Canon cannot guarantee the longevity of prints; results may vary depending on printed image, drying time, display/storage conditions and environmental factors. See WWW.USA.CANON.COM/CHROMALIFE100 for additional details.