Preserving the Magic: Ensuring Longevity of Inkjet Photos

Home inkjet printing of digital pictures has come a long way. For many, all-purpose home printers with one or two ink cartridges have given way to sophisticated photo printers with six or eight inkjet cartridges. Other users are happy with their general-use document printers.

While not everyone needs the latest inkjet printers, every picture-taker wants vibrant, long-lasting prints. Kodak scientists recognized that the formulation of inkjet paper - and how it reacts with typical environmental factors in the home - plays a pivotal role in how long an inkjet picture will last.

Newly introduced KODAK Ultima Picture Paper with COLORLAST technology is the result of their efforts.

Testing print longevity

How long does a printed picture last? Print longevity depends on several variables: fade resistance to light and pollutant gases in indoor air, resistance to dye smear from high humidity, and resistance to fade or yellowing when stored in a dark photo album or a box. Ambient temperature - especially heat - also influences print life. Many competitive claims of paper longevity are based only on one or two environmental factors, usually light resistance or ambient storage temperature.

KODAK Ultima Picture Paper with ColorLast technology is available in high-gloss and satin finishes in a variety of popular sizes.

Kodak researchers tested new Ultima Paper using accelerated light and pollutant-gas testing at Kodak Research & Development. In addition, two external testing labs evaluated and confirmed Kodak's accelerated light-testing results.

To confirm that these accelerated tests accurately represent real-world results, additional testing took place under less-accelerated conditions. The new Ultima Picture Paper was also tested for resistance to high humidity conditions at Kodak Research & Development and at an external testing lab. Finally, Kodak researchers performed Arrhenius dark-keeping tests (which track dye fade and print staining rates due to long-term effects of heat).

Current standard tests don't address the estimation of print life for digital photographic output across all four environmental factors (heat, light, humidity, and ozone). However, industry standards for traditional silver halide photos provided guidelines for accelerated testing for the effects of light and heat. Kodak researchers created conditions that approximate ozone and dark-keeping humidity in a typical home to assess Ultima Picture Paper's longevity expectations.

As a result, Ultima's picture longevity claims are based on the new paper's ability to resist picture degradation under all four conditions. All four - light fade, ozone fade, thermal fade, and humidity keep - affect the longevity of an unprotected print on display. Picture longevity is only as good as its weakest link. For instance, someone can claim print life of 80 years based on light fade -- yet actually have a print fade in six months due to ozone exposure.

Prints stored in photo albums usually will have improved print life over a print displayed on a table or on the refrigerator. Photos in albums are often exposed less to ozone, humidity, and light, but some fade can take place over time due to the long term effects of heat. In the real world, people display their pictures in many ways, often unprotected from everyday conditions. This reality drove Kodak scientists to emphasize picture longevity beyond the photo album.

Much depends on the ink and printer types used. With the latest inkjet printers and inks, the new Ultima Picture Paper with COLORLAST technology will last 100 years or more, and will last longer under typical home display conditions for the vast majority of head-to-head comparisons.

Raised expectations

Most picture-takers quickly learn that their inkjet prints are sharper and brighter when printed on inkjet photo paper. And most printer manufacturers recommend their own brand of paper for use with their printers.

KODAK Ultima Picture Paper, however, is designed to work with all desktop inkjet printers, giving consumers more quality choices and options. The new Ultima paper is available in high gloss and satin finishes, and in A and A4, 5 x 7-inch and 4 x 6-inch sizes. Its suggested retail price remains unchanged, despite its improvements; current retail price for 15 sheets is $12.99 (USD).