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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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