ink

Inks

Much has been published regarding the display life of IRIS giclée prints. The IRIS was originally used as a pre-press proofing device where longevity wasn't a requirement. Brilliant color, unsurpassed detail and an ability to print on any stock was important, and this the IRIS could provide. The first IRIS prints were distinctly fugitive but inks have improved dramatically since those early days as artists began to see the potential for this printer. Now, in 1998, there are three choices for IRIS printmakers and artists.

Currently available ink sets

The Lyson ink set (consisting of ID Cyan (ink from the industrial design (ID) set from IRIS), Lyson Fine Arts (FA) yellow, FA Magenta II and FA Black) This ink set may also be known as WTG-3.
IRIS Equipoise four color ink set
IRIS Equipoise all black ink set.

At Silicon Gallery we use the Lyson WTG-3 ink set. This offers the same, if not slightly greater longevity than the Equipoise ink set. The Equipoise ink set has increased the color range or gamut of the magenta ink. This is achieved by sacrificing the even fading rates of the ink set after the 20 - 24 or 32 - 36 year period cited in Wilhelm’s literature. The Lyson (WTG-3) ink set has been tested by Wilhelm Imaging Research, Inc. Using Somerset Velvet paper the print has a predicted display life of 20-24 years, on Arches Cold Press it is 32-36 years. In order to achieve longevity this ink set has a narrower color gamut (range) than the standard IRIS inks.

The IRIS Equipoise ink set has also been tested by Wilhelm Imaging Research, Inc. Using Somerset Velvet paper the print has a predicted display life of 20-24 years, on Arches Cold Press it is 32-36 years. On Arches for IRIS paper the inks have a display life of 20-24 years and IRIS canvas it is 10-12 years. This ink set has a wider color gamut, particularly in the magenta, than the Lyson WTG-3 inks but sacrifices long term evenness in fading results.

The new Lyson ink set WTG-4 is currently undergoing tests and will be available at Silicon Gallery shortly. Preliminary data indicates that the display life for this ink set will exceed 60 years. This has a narrower color gamut (range) than the Equipoise and WTG-3 ink sets.

Wilhelm Imaging Research, Inc conducts accelerated tests at 75ºF and 60% relative humidity and the display life predictions are based on display at 450 lux for 12 hours per day (typical of fluorescent lit office conditions). Illumination conditions do vary however, and images will last longer when displayed under lower light levels. Likewise, the life of prints will be shortened when displayed under illumination that is more intense than 450 lux (some high intensity tungsten halogen lighting fixtures in commercial galleries have display illumination levels that exceed 1,000lux). The display life predictions can be viewed as an “index” of relative stability. At the end of the rated period the image will have by no means disappeared or faded into an unrecognizable form. Early stage fading results in loss of brilliance, richness and highlight detail in an image. The display life predictions provided by Wilhelm Imaging Research, Inc. take into account the typically greater tolerance of “neutral” fading where an image simply becomes lighter as opposed to color shifts caused by unequal fading rates of the cyan, magenta, yellow and black colors that make up an image.

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