Dye ink vs pigment ink: which fades faster on a wall print?

Photo Review states that pigment inks are generally more fade-resistant than dye-based inks [1]. It also notes that some recent dye inks have lightfastness ratings of 100 years or more [1]. So the label alone does not settle the question.

Ilford says testing has to be done for each individual media and printer type before a permanence claim can be made [3]. Photo Review names the ink and paper combination, plus handling and storage conditions, as factors in print stability [2].

For a buyer, the practical reading is simple. Do not choose on ink type alone. Ask what ink, paper or substrate and finish were tested together, and under which conditions.

Photo Review says light causes differential fading, and magenta dyes are the most susceptible to change [1]. A second Photo Review article says magenta dyes are particularly vulnerable to light fading, so prints shift toward cyan as they fade [2].

Cyan has a different weakness. Photo Review says cyan dyes are vulnerable to chemical contaminants, and describes a faded cyan making a print turn orange [1]. A second Photo Review article names ozone as one such contaminant affecting cyan dyes [2]. The first Photo Review article also warns that ink combinations can behave differently from single colours. A cyan that is stable alone may fade quickly when mixed with magenta to make blue [1].

When you check a sample over time, watch for an overall shift toward cyan, which Photo Review describes for magenta fading [2].

Photo Review describes Wilhelm Imaging Research (WIR) as using test procedures developed by ANSI and ISO. Prints are tested by accelerated aging [1]. Photo Review also warns that some manufacturers' own tests differ substantially from WIR's, so their results may not be directly comparable [1]. Photo Review is our only reference for how WIR tests are run, so check the original reports before quoting any figure.

Ilford adds that there are currently no ISO standards relating to inkjet print life predictions [3]. Its own tests simulate 225, 450 and 2000 lux for 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night, on unlaminated prints, and the endpoint is the first visible degradation [3]. Ilford says some claims are made under conditions that are not realistic for most of the professional market [3].

Photo Review also gives rating examples, such as unprotected prints on certain ink and paper combinations exceeding 75 years [1]. Read that as a result for one tested combination under one set of conditions. It is not a promise for your wall, your lighting or your print.

Fading is not the only difference. Photo Review compares the two ink types on several traits, including appearance and durability, summarised in the table below [2]. The ratings are as given in Photo Review's comparison table [2]; the article does not say what test, if any, sits behind them.

See the FAQ on glass for how glazing changes the appearance differences. For uncovered display, Photo Review says pigment inks will have greater lightfastness as a rule [2]. Glazing choices are covered in our acrylic vs glass glazing guide.

The Canadian Conservation Institute says that for the most rapid fading the only option is to reduce light exposure, and that for light-sensitive colours UV usually contributes less than half of the fading and often only one tenth [4]. Read this as a reason to treat light dose as a separate factor from ink type. The guides do not compare the two directly. Use it as a principle, not a rule for a retail space.

Photo Review adds that fading is faster in humid places, and recommends avoiding strong, direct sunlight [1]. It also says framing inkjet prints behind glass is an excellent strategy, and that the backing and mat should be acid- and lignin-free [1].

For a full treatment of exposure, see our guide to light, UV and fading of printed artwork on walls. For file and colour preparation, see the canvas print resolution and colour guide.

We are a private-label and OEM/ODM manufacturer in Noida, serving businesses and brands only. Our quote states the sample plan, and samples are paid, with the cost reimbursed or adjusted by agreement. If fade resistance matters for your range, say so in your brief and see sampling before a bulk order and how to brief a frame or board order. Send questions through our contact page, and we reply within 1 business day. Details are on our pricing, minimums and lead times page.

1. Making your prints last, Photo Review (Australia). photoreview.com.au
2. How to select the right photo paper and ink, Photo Review (Australia). photoreview.com.au
3. Image Permanence and Inkjet Printing, Ilford. ilford.com
4. Agents of deterioration: Light, ultraviolet and infrared, Canadian Conservation Institute, Government of Canada. canada.ca