How Long?
As a general rule, you can handle and work with photo inkjet prints as soon as the come out of your printer. They are "dry to the touch" but in reality it takes about 24 hours for an inkjet print to fully cure and dry. There are some points you should know about and consider when you are printing.
Wait Before Deciding On Color Quality
The colors of a photo print change over the first hour or so of drying. Always allow at least an hour before deciding if you are satisfied with a print.
Framing? Wait at Least 24 hours
If you are going to frame an inkjet print under glass or plastic allow at least 24 hours of drying time. If the print is not fully cured a light haze can appear on your glass. This is called outgassing. The haze is the ink solvent continuing to escape from a print as it dries.
Read a Great Article on Framing and Mounting Techniques.
Speeding Up the Process
Put a sheet of plain copy paper on top of your print when it is complete. You will notice the copy paper begin to curl as it absorbs the escaping ink solvent.
For best results don't stack prints.
It will take up more space, but your prints will dry faster if allowed to sit out unstacked. Put a sheet of copy paper on each print to prevent dust and debris from settling on your work.
Ink Drying Wait Time - A General Overview
If you constantly ask yourself, "How long does it take for ink to dry after printing?" you're not alone. The answer depends a variety of factors and we've listed a general guide below.
The drying time for ink after printing varies based on several factors:
Ink Drying Times by Ink Type
Dye-based Inks: These are typically quicker to dry and are often touch-dry as soon as they come out of the printer. However, they can smudge if exposed to water or moisture shortly after printing.
Pigment-based Inks: These take longer to dry than dye-based inks. Pigment inks are more water-resistant once dry but can smudge if touched immediately after printing.
How the Type of Paper Affects Ink Drying Time
Standard Printer Paper: This absorbs ink more quickly, and therefore, the drying time is relatively short—usually a matter of seconds to minutes.
Photo or Glossy Paper: These are designed to produce a sharper, more vibrant image. They don't absorb ink as quickly, so drying times are longer. It's recommended to leave photos untouched for about 30 minutes to an hour.
Specialty Papers: Some thick or coated papers may have varying drying times.
Printer Settings: Printers often have settings that can adjust the amount of ink used. A high-quality setting will deposit more ink, leading to a longer drying time.
Environmental Factors
Humidity: Higher humidity can increase drying time significantly. The moisture in the air prevents the water in the ink from evaporating quickly.
Temperature: Cooler temperatures can also slow down the drying process.
Amount of Ink: Large areas of dark or saturated colors will take longer to dry compared to sparse or light-colored prints.
Tips for Ink Drying Time
For standard documents printed on regular paper, it's usually safe to handle them immediately after printing.
For photos or high-quality prints on specialty papers, it's a good idea to leave them untouched and spread out for several hours to ensure thorough drying.
Always handle fresh prints by the edges to avoid smudging.
If you're stacking or storing prints, consider placing a sheet of plain paper between them, especially if they haven't had ample time to dry.
Remember that drying times can vary significantly depending on the specific combination of factors involved, so it's always a good idea to err on the side of caution.
Related Article: How to Keep Printer Ink from Drying Out
