Digital Cameras for Teachers
Printing & Printers
Printer paper and inks - Fade proof photos?
"Why do results vary so much with different printer-and-paper combinations? It's all in the chemistry. Each printer manufacturer has its own set of formulas and creates products that work together to give the best results." "The Fade Factor," Nov. 2002, PC World http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,105461,00.asp
If you want your home-printed photo to last as long as possible, then look for the word "archival" when it comes to papers and inks for producing photo prints that are fade resistant from 12 to 60 years, rivalling regular printed photos. The Epson 2200 (price: $699, with a cost of $1.25 per printed page) was made especially for archival photos with a longevity of up to 90 years. Simply because a photo printer is expensive, however, it does not mean its prints are higher quality or last longer, so you may need to do some searching.
To enhance your printed photos' chances of lasting longer, you can do the following:
- Use photo printers with archival inks and papers made by the same manufacturer, if possible. Canon, Epson, HP and Kodak and Fuji all make high-quality photo papers, and in some cases photo printers and inks. Lexmark has lagged behind in the archival race but is now doing some catching-up.
- Use high-end (more expensive), non-porous (UV resistant) photo papers
- Be careful to use archival (acid free) matting
- Put photos under glass to cut UV rays, keep photos in UV-resistant sleeves
- Do not use cheap ink refills and third-party suppliers
- Use a preserving spray protector such as Krylon's Preserve It! craft spray http://www.krylon.com/main/paper_finishes_template.cfm?levelid=5&sub_levelid=8&sub_productid=131&content=product_details
You can save money by using higher-quality third-party papers, though you will have to experiment to see which brands work with your printer. The bottom line: Select your printing hardware and supplies carefully, because printers, inks, and papers are not created equal.
For more information on testing of photo printer inks and papers, try the Wilhelm Research site: http://www.wilhelm-research.com
Digital Cameras for Teachers
EOU Malheur County Center (541) 889-7468 or (541) 889-6222
