Digital BW, The Print

The test of the UltraChrome inks, using matte black on EAM, has reached 100
hours in my fluorescent light fader.  The light level in this tester is
weaker than those used by some others, so the results after 100 hours are
preliminary.  That said, I think they have proved to be rather good
indicators of ultimate performance.

The 2200 UltraChromes were tested against the PiezoTone-selenium (PT-S)
inkset on EAM, and the MIS FS-N inkset on EAM.

The bottom line is that the UltraChrome inks look very impressive.  In terms
of fading, they appear to have midtones that are about as stable as the
PiezoTone inkset midtones, and the black ink could turn out to be even
better than the MIS VM/FS black.  I've put the densitometer numbers below.

All the inksets look essentially unchanged, so I have not posted a scan.

The big question in my mind is whether the UltraChrome color inks will shift
significantly over time.  Even though the 2200 uses 2 blacks, the image is
still going to be heavily dependent on the color inks.  If they fade at
different rates, the color shifting will be unacceptable for B&W printing,
even if the color can be controlled/neutralized when first printed.  (The
test strips I was given were not specially profiled, and, as such, have a
color tint that I find unappealing.  However, a good profile could
presumably take care of this starting-point tone.)

With the color shifting being a critical issue, I'm stopping the fade test
as currently configured.  I will shift to another configuration for long
term testing.  I'll put in a test strip composed of MIS Archival (including
new yellow) pigments.  With the MIS Archival color pigments I use the VM/FS
black.  So, we'll be able to see a comparison of the relative color shifts
as well as how the best blacks compare.

I'll continue to have a PiezoTone-Selenium in the fader, as the PT inksets
currently have the most light-fast quad midtones I've tested.

I'll let the test with these comparison strips run quite a while so we can
see what the color shifting/differential fading of the color pigments will
look like long term.

I might add that there has been confusion regarding Epson's longevity claims
for the UltraChrome inks.  The Australian Epson website claims 75+ years on
EAM/EEM.  Caponigro has been quoted as reporting Wilhelm numbers as 30+
years on EAM.  I called Epson and talked to several people.  The pre-sale
information person says they are trained to say 100 years.  Another tech
support person said 75-100 years on EAM.  Wilhelm does their testing.

I have tested no inkset that is more fade-resistant, with the possible
exception of the 2000P/7500 pigments.


X-Rite readings (order is cyan, magenta, yellow, and visual):

2200	50% Control: 0.55, 0.55, 0.51, 0.57;
	     100 Hr: 0.54, 0.55, 0.51, 0.57;

	100% Control: 1.71, 1.74, 1.77, 1.73;
	      100 Hr: 1.72, 1.75, 1.78, 1.73;

PT-S  50% Control: 0.68, 0.69, 0.68, 0.69;
	     100 Hr: 0.68, 0.69, 0.69, 0.69;

	100% Control: 1.70, 1.72, 1.72, 1.71;
	      100 Hr: 1.67, 1.69, 1.70, 1.67;

FS-N  50% Control: 0.71, 0.70, 0.69, 0.71;
	     100 Hr: 0.69, 0.68, 0.67, 0.69;

	100% Control: 1.64, 1.65, 1.67, 1.65;
	      100 Hr: 1.63, 1.65, 1.67, 1.64.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com

Paul,

The UC inks may last 75-100 years, but the Enhanced Matte paper will 
begin to yellow at 30 years, at least according to Royce Bair at 
inkjetart.com; I quote him here:

"The Enhanced Matte image permanence drop was NOT in going from the
roll version to the sheet version (not a coating difference issue)
The 30 years vs. 75 years (with UltraChrome inks) and the 30 years
vs. 100+ years (with the Archival Inks) is due to paper YELLOWING.
Within about 30 years, both the roll and sheet versions of the
Enhanced Matte paper will yellow due to the paper's slightly acid
pH.  The image itself, will not start to show noticeable fading
until about 75 years (UltraChrome) or about 100+ years (Archival).

NOTE: this data would also apply to Epson's "Archival Matte"
paper, which is virtually the same paper as Epson's Enhanced
Matte.  Why didn't Wilhelm notice this 30/100+ years problem in
the beginning?  Probably because yellowing is not a something
can be seen as quickly as light fading, where this can be
simulated (accelerated) by increasing the light intensity, then
interpolating the data.  Yellowing can be simulated by increasing
temperature and humidity, but the reaction takes longer, and is
not necessarily able to be interpolated in a linear fashion as
nearly as light and time."

Dan