Longevity

Acrylic laminations

For a long time we have been unsure about the durability of our technique. The tests we performed in 2010 with a UV tester at the TU Berlin proofed the UV stability of our technique. The colors of the pictures, which have been laminated using our technique, lasted longer than unsealed prints. The thickness of the silicone layer and the ventilation of the laminated pictures, before they will be processed further (i.e. sealing with a back panel) is essential for the durability. Two to three days are necessary for the acetic acid to discharge. Upon request, you can take a look at the test results. Our UV test is a simple approach and does not represent a detailed scientific analysis. A detailed scientific contribution, however, represents the diploma thesis by Sabine Angela Zorn “Das Diasec Verfahren – Schäden, Stabilität, Konservierung und Restaurierung“ from 2004.

Digita art prints

Extract from the website of the Edition Mengershausen:

Source: Edition Mengershausen

How resistant to aging are digital art prints?

Sooner or later, every artist, gallery owner, or art collector, who takes an interest in this comparatively young medium, will ask this question. We could – like currently many other marketing people – have a quick answer for you: »More than 100 years!« This figure is initially impressive, but in this shortened version untrustworthy, since we do not know under which circumstances the print will last »more than 100 years«: on what kind of paper, type of illumination, light intensity and duration. What temperature and humidity will the print be exposed? Will it be displayed behind glass or unprotected? It is quickly apparent: the topic of long-term stability is very complex because of all these different parameters. Nobody can truly state the stability of prints today without knowing their future conditions of display and archival storage.

However, in order to give you an overview of the aging resistance of digital prints, the Wilhelm Imaging Research Inc., Iowa, USA published a.o. the results of accelerated long-term tests of prints with the UltraChrome® inks we use.

The results of these studies suggest that our pigment prints on acid free, alkaline buffered art paper, like for example Sommerset Velvet for Epson, can be displayed after the defined conditions of the Wilhelm test behind common picture glass for at least 62 years until color changes can be noticed.

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