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News & Events

A New Test for Photo Safety Has Been Published

ISO 18916—Photographic Activity Test for Filing Enclosures

The stability of photographic images is dependent upon three factors: the inherent stability of the image itself, the quality of the storage conditions, and the characteristics of any storage product in contact with the image. Over a decade ago, IPI developed the photographic activity test, which predicts the long-term effects of storage products on black-and-white and color photographs. This test is for all enclosure materials—including paper, plastics, inks, adhesives, and labels—that are in close contact with photographic images. The test uses a very sensitive indicator, which is artificially aged in contact with the storage product in question. This test procedure has proven to be very effective and has been standardized by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Recently this method was updated by ISO experts to include a wider variety of enclosure types and computer-printed images, such as inkjet prints made from dye-based and pigment-based inks, thermal dye diffusion (“dye sub”) prints, and electrophotographic (laser) prints. The updated version of the test has just been published as ISO 18916—Photographic Activity Test for Filing Enclosures, and it can be obtained from ISO at www.iso.org or from your national standards body.

IS&T Technologies for Digital Fulfillment Conference — March 2007

IS&T

IPI research scientist Daniel Burge presented a paper on digital print preservation at the March IS&T conference. The paper, Beyond Lightfastness: Some Neglected Issues in Permanence of Digital Hardcopy, was co-authored by Gene Salesin, Andrea Venosa, Peter Adelstein, and James Reilly. It addressed permanence issues for digital image hardcopy other than light fastness and gas fastness. Most manufacturers’ claims regarding image life are based on the time it takes a print to fade to an unacceptable degree when exposed to high-intensity light; results are then extrapolated to reflect the time it would take for the same degree of fading to occur under assumed display conditions in homes, offices, and other public areas. This approach neglects image decay brought about by other mechanisms (which may be either physical or chemical) that, during actual use, may appear before any significant light-induced decay. Therefore, the current practice of advertising image longevity based on display life doesn't tell the whole story and could be misleading. IPI's experimental work showed that inkjet prints can be sensitive to abrasion and surface cracking and can adhere to plastic page protectors in albums and glass in frames. Copies of the paper are available from IS&T at www.imaging.org.

PMA 2007

PMA 2007

The 2007 Photo Marketing Association International trade show and convention was held in Las Vegas, from March 8 to 11. The hottest new trend at the event was photo books. These books can be ordered on-line or at retail outlets, or they can be put together at home using traditional or digital processes. While these objects are convenient, and in many cases extremely attractive, there is no data to indicate how long they will last. In addition to image fade and paper yellowing, there is the potential for binding failure. Given the wide range of binding quality and page printing techniques, it's impossible to make predictions about photo books as a class. IPI hopes to secure funding from corporate partners to address these concerns.

Memory Trends 2006

Memory Trends 2006 Las Vegas

In October 2006, IPI had a booth at the Memory Trends trade show in Las Vegas. Several staff members were available to answer questions from retail store owners about preservation and questions from manufacurers about testing and product quality. As a fun project, items were collected from around the show to include in a time capsule, which was sealed and will be opened in 2016. The Memory Trends time capsule contains a recorded message, a show guide and photos from the Las Vegas event, and a journal containing signatures and “notes to the future” by show attendees. The IPI staff also taught a class on time capsules, in which participants made personal cards to include in the show capsule.