Dye-based inks vs. pigment inks

[wickeddiana]

I have just started selling prints online of my colord illustrations. I print them myself with my Epson stylus photo 1280 printer. The prints come out pretty good. Still, I have to wonder if they might not look better if I use dye-based ink instead.
I keep hearing how Dye-based inks are much better than regular pigment inks. I would like to give it a try but have a hard time finding dye-based inks for my printer brand and model.
Does anyone know where I can get them for my kind of printer, or if its even available?

[PrintDriver]

You are selling prints.
And you don't know the difference between dye base and pigment base inks.
Lovely.

The reason you are having trouble finding dye base inks is for a couple of reasons. Epson only approves Epson inks for use in their machines and they have made a concerted effort to increase the longevity (read fade resistance) of their inks. Supposedly, the inks on a 1280, with the right paper can last 25 years. Dye base inks don't last nearly as long as pigment based inks. ie, they fade quickly, sometimes within months. Pigment based inks are generally far more UV stable and therefore more fade resistant.

While it is true that dyebase inks have a wider color gamut, the trade off, especially for 'art' prints is not equitable, nor ethical. In fact, you should be using archival grade inks when selling prints.

Let this be a lesson to all those who buy art prints.

[vtwin_gary]

thanks for beating me to this PD. I didn't want to try & explain.
i have an epson 9600 & sell loads of prints (to artist)
epson claims 100 years with the right paper/ink combo

[PrintDriver]

Depends on the printer and the ink/paper combo. And I once had an Epson sales rep tell me "Yep, 100years. In a sealed box under your bed." While the Wilhelm acceleration tests are backing up Epson's claims, I'll be interested to see what happens in a couple of years.

[wickeddiana]

[quote=PrintDriver]You are selling prints.
And you don't know the difference between dye base and pigment base inks.
Lovely.
quote]

Well I'm just starting out so I never had to consider this issue before. But isn't it good that I asked first?
Thanks for clearing that up.


But I have another question. Do you know if all Epson Inks are archival?

[PrintDriver]

Before one goes into business one should at least know the business.
Here is a 2003 article from Flaar. It's up to you to bring yourself up to date.
http://www.fineartgicleeprinters.org/pigmented_inks_archival_inks/archival_pigmented_inks.html
As I said, Epson has made a concerted effort in the past 3 years to increase the durability of their inks.

And no, not all Epson inks are archival.

[vtwin_gary]

my personal test:
print on archival matte paper vacuum mounted to foam core placed in a (south-ish) facing window it has direct sun from sunrise until early afternoon then was not really shaded. it has been there more than 3 years now. when placed next to a fresh print i can only tell a difference if i fold the new print & place the colors directly next to each other. if they are 1 inch apart i can't see a difference. that color shift happened in the first 3-4 months and no change since, but i'm waiting.

[wickeddiana]

Before one goes into business one should at least know the business.


And that is excatly what I'm doing here. Learning more about the business. :)

I sometimes use generic Epson-compatible inks. The reproductions look just as good as those made with the Epson Brand inks. I am just wondering if anyone else has experience with them and do they last as long as brand inks?

And maybe this is a stupid question but, if I where can I find Archival inks? How can I tell if the ink I buy is archival? The ink compatible with my printer doesn't say this on the box. Just wondering.

[PrintDriver]

This is not the place to be learning.
A print job at a place that specializes in art prints is the place to be learning.
Sorry to be so blunt but I deal with art quality prints nearly every day.

An Epson 1280 is not an art print machine. It is a desktop printer with home photo quality. If you are looking for archival inks for an Epson, you need to look at a different model of Epson. A more expensive one too.

A better idea than printing your own would be to find a professional printer and build a relationship. You be the professional artist and let someone else be the professional printer.

And a word about non-OEM inks. Almost all of them fade very very quickly. See the difference in inks and papers for an HP and an Epson, taken from the same Wilhelm chart. I think it speaks for itself regarding off brand ink and mismatched papers (these acceleration tests are done framed under glass at 450 lux, 12hour days).

[PrintDriver]

Not to drone on but 'archival' has many meanings. A print that lasts 73 years might be considered 'archival' even if the inks are not labeled as such. Archival media are usually considered to be acid free. Archival storage is also acid free. A framed print should be framed with archival qualities in mind. No sense using archival paper if you are going to back it with corrugated cardboard in the frame.

And fading is only one consideration. Yellowing from air exposure is another. Prints can even fade or shift color in dark storage.

Keep your inks, printer, and paper matched to the highest specs. Do your research. And buyer beware. LOL.