Fading characteristics of dye based and pigment based inks on artists' uncoated and coated printmaking papers

Parraman, Carinna

Abstract

The objective for this paper was to present an overview of colour changes or fading, the relationship of ink on paper and using microphotography to illustrate the changes. In consulation with John Purcell Paper, Cranfield Inks and funding through Hewlett Packard's Art and Science Programme, research was undertaken into documenting how inks degenerate on a micro level. This paper demonstrated the results. The paper used the Hewlett Packard/Centre for Fine Print Research first International Digital Portfolio as a case study, which highlighted issues relating to fading, colour profiling and printing onto coated papers. In order to ensure that the Digital Portfolio lasted we undertook an accelerated exposure on a small range of coated papers. Whilst these tests indicated pigmented inks were more stable on enhanced papers than dye based inks we wanted to obtain a better understanding as to how ink faded, look at the relationship between paper and ink and undertake a record of fading characteristics. In March 2002 lightfast tests on a range of papers were made, followed by a more detailed investigation in December 2002 which involved the use of colour measurements and the documenting of the surface of the paper through microphotography.
This paper was given at the Second International Conference on: Preservation and Conservation Issues Related to Digital Printing and Digital Photography at Heriot-Watt University.

Citation

Parraman, C. (2003). Fading characteristics of dye based and pigment based inks on artists' uncoated and coated printmaking papers. In R. Thompson, & A. Manning (Eds.), Conference Proceedings of the Second International Conference on: Preservation and Conservation Issues Related to Digital Printing and Digital Photography, 53-59. Institute of Physics

• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2003
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 53-59
• Book Title: Conference Proceedings of the Second International Conference on: Preservation and Conservation Issues Related to Digital Printing and Digital Photography
• ISBN: 0750309911
• Keywords: colour changes, fading, ink on paper, microphotography
• Publisher URL: http://www.iop.org/publications/index.html