| Epson 1280 & Canon
BCI-6 ink tests |
Test Date:
Winter 01-02 |
Click for
test details and specific methodology |
These tests were conducted
without any glass or UV spray protection.
Two papers from major name brands were also selected for test compaison.
They are labeled brand X and brand Y. As you can see,
the results were
comparable for all three:
| Paper |
Printer/Ink |
No. Of Years Before Images Begin To Fade |
UltraPro Satin
Brand X
Brand Y
76 lb. Denali Two |
1280/Epson
1280/Epson
1280/Epson
1280/Epson |
7
6
6
7 |
Now, if we know from the
manufacturers of Brand X and Brand Y that their papers will last up
to
20-25 years under glass, by
multiplying our test numbers and presuming
a similar outcome for Brand X and Brand Y had we tested them under
glass,
then we can
assume a great probability that our product will last 20-25
years under glass. But, just to make sure about that, our tests currently
underway
include our UltraPro Satin under glass.
Next, we tested the Canon S-800 with Canon BCI-6 inks.
What about longevity using Canon S-800? Well, it's close to Epson as
you can see below when compared to our 1270 tests from last
year. It
demonstrates
once more the premise that image longevity may or may not be enhanced
by the pH (acid-free or neutral) or
cotton fibre content.
| Paper |
Ink |
No. Of Years Before Images Begin To Fade |
UltraPro Gloss
UltraPro Satin
Aurora Art* |
Canon BCI-6 |
5
4
3 |
Polar Gloss**
53 lb. Premium Gloss
Premium Matte |
Canon BCI-6 |
5
5
12 |
* Aurora has since bee upgraded
with respect to coating and paper - its coating now better resists fade
with dye inks
** Polar Gloss before it was upgraded to slow fading with dye inks
Test Methodology
Our independent test facility* has just released the data from our last
test. They used an established technique of exposing our
samples
to 50
kilolux of unfiltered cool light fluorescent light for 3 months (simulating
a period of 25 years). Each patch has 12 unique
parts for measurement.
These tests do not account for other causes of image failure which we
now know can have a significant effect. Measuring effects from
pollution
(indoors and outdoors) and humidity are very difficult to qualify and
are not addressed with our tests.
As before, the lab measures the deterioration of the intensity of all
of 12 patches. When fading or other change has been recorded to
each
a specific point, the sample is declared to have "failed".
For instance, if the "Pure Cyan" test reaches a point of 30%
deterioration,
that is the End Point for that sample regardless if no registered decline
by any other of the 11 patches exists. The
bottom line: we are looking
for the worst case scenario.
This does not mean that your image will "disappear", rather
it will change a bit in shade which can be recognized by the human eye
especially
if you compare to another identical image freshly printed on
the same printer with the exact same settings as before.
Here
is the specific test criteria for each paper:
| Test |
Patch |
Parameter |
Cyan Fade
Magenta Fade
Yellow Fade
Black Fade |
Pure Cyan
Pure Magenta
Pure Yellow
Pure K Neutral |
30% Loss
30% Loss
30% Loss
30% Loss |
Cyan Fade
Magenta Fade
Yellow Fade
Red Green Imbalance
Red Blue Imbalance
Green Blue Imbalance |
CMY Neutral
CMY Neutral
CMY Neutral
CMY Neutral
CMY Neutral
CMY Neutral |
30% Loss
30% Loss
30% Loss
+ or - 15% change
+ or - 15% change
+ or - 15% change |
Cyan Stain
Magenta Stain
Yellow Stain
|
Dmin
Dmin
Dmin |
0.10 Density Change
0.10 Density Change
0.10 Density Change |
*All tests conducted at the Rochester Institute of Technology
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