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It is a popular yet mistaken belief that images printed at home with an inkjet paper fade more quickly than traditional photographs. All photographs are affected by (among other things) light, atmospheric pollutants, high temperatures and humidity, all of which may cause fading – inkjet printed images are no different to professionally developed photographs in this respect.
Images will last longer if the causes of fading can be reduced or eliminated. Colour images will last longer when displayed under lower light levels. Equally the life of prints may be shorter if subjected to intense lighting such as in an art gallery. Prints intended for long term display may be framed behind glass or plastic to protect them from fading caused by exposure to gas such as ozone or cigarette smoke.
Fading can be a problem when prints are displayed unframed (i.e. without any protection), such as when pinned to a notice board or stuck to the refrigerator door, and is largely caused by gas. Prints displayed in the kitchen may also be especially prone to fading due to the high temperatures and humidity caused by steam and the vapours from cooking.
When printing images, the ink should be left to dry naturally (i.e. away from direct sunlight or sources of heat); complete drying may take approximately 24 hours. We recommend that printed images are not displayed out of doors or exposed to direct sunlight or high temperatures. Images should be kept at normal room temperature where possible, and away from humid rooms such as the kitchen or bathroom.
To protect images from direct exposure to air and reduce fading, store them in albums or framed behind glass. Prints stored in an album will last longer than photos that are framed. However, avoid self-adhesive type albums and those with PVC overlays – these albums may actually increase fading and discolouration.
How long will my photos last?
Since actual display, storage and environmental conditions in the real world differ considerably (for example the light levels in homes and art galleries are quite different) it is not easy to give a definite answer unless conditions can be controlled in some way. For images that are stored in an album we quote an image life of up to 100 years (when printed using genuine Canon inks and selected Canon photo papers*). This is based on accelerated dark storage testing at 23°C and 50% RH (relative humidity) and is representative of conditions in a typical home environment.
To get the optimum results, remember to use paper and inks designed for use with your printer and follow the advice for display and storage.
Photo Paper
Canon offers an extensive range of specialty paper to suit all needs and accommodate the ever-increasing trend of home photo printing. New photo papers have been introduced that make printing at home even more versatile and fun. Photo Paper Plus Double Sided PP-101D for example is a high quality photo paper that is printable on both sides and is especially suitable for album printing. The paper is also included as part of a Photo Album Kit PAK-101, which contains everything needed to make a personalised digital photo album or scrapbook when using the latest PIXMA photo printers.
The synergy between Canon’s digital cameras, the new PIXMA range of printers and photo paper allows users to create lab quality photos at home. Easy connectivity via PictBridge allows photo printing straight from compatible digital still and video cameras, making it easier than ever to print photos at home.
* PR-101, PP-201, GP-501, GP-401, SG-101
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