Well, we always know Image Speak Louder Than Words. No doubt.
This is a photo of one of my family members. This photo was taken 10 years ago in a photo shop with a certified stamp on the back . It was kept in original package and kept in the storage. It started to become smudgy within 2 years. It became unrecogonizable with 5 years. This is what left today, about 10 years after.
Thankfullness we now have digital storage to keep our precious memory last. What about your important documents and your beloved art prints hanging on the wall that occasionally exposed to light, humidity, and heat?
For dismiss those worries, we choose to use authentic pigment inks. Before we reveal the reasons, let’s start with the basics: pigment ink and dye ink are the two main types of ink used in printers. Pigment ink is made up of small particles of pigment suspended in liquid, while dye ink is a liquid that contains colorants that dissolve in the liquid.
First reason: Longevity and Durability
One of the key differences between the two types of ink is their durability. Pigment ink is generally considered to be more durable than dye ink, as the pigment particles are more resistant to fading and smudging over time. This is because the pigment particles sit on top of the paper, rather than being absorbed into the paper like dye ink, which can cause the color to fade over time.
In fact, a study conducted by Wilhelm Imaging Research found that prints made with pigment ink lasted up to 200 years, while prints made with dye ink lasted only 25-30 years, or much less, in my case. This is due to the fact that pigment ink is more resistant to fading from exposure to light, heat, and humidity, while dye ink is more prone to fading and discoloration under these conditions.
Second reason: Water resistasnce
That’s Another advantage of pigment ink over dye ink. Pigment ink is less likely to smudge or bleed when exposed to water, which makes it a better choice for printing documents that will be handled or exposed to moisture. Dye ink, on the other hand, can easily smudge or bleed when exposed to water, which can make it less suitable for printing documents or photos that need to be durable or long-lasting.
Third reason: True to color
In addition to durability and water resistance, there are other factors to consider when choosing between pigment ink and dye ink. For example, pigment ink tends to produce more vivid and accurate colors, especially when printing on matte or plain paper, while dye ink is better suited for printing on glossy or photo paper, where it can produce brighter and more vibrant colors.
What the disadvantages of pigment ink?
Much higher price of pigment ink is the main reason. In recent years, there is a new trend that using some dye ink color with some pigment ink(ususally black) together to prelong the durability of dye ink, and reduce the expenses of all pigment ink. Even if it is going to fade, at least the pigment ink color will stay. Some dye inks were labeled arcarval, I haven’t found any test data that how long it will maintain the quality on them yet.
Is there any cheaper choices，like third party ink?
I know some sellers use them to produce prints and sale them at a low price, since the costs of the third party ink are way cheaper, only cost 20% to 40% compare with the geniune ink from the branded ones. The issues with those inks are lacking test data support and might be inconsistance in quality with different batches. Personally I might use it for homework, meeting handouts, and anything that Idon’t want to keep for long. If you want to buy art prints for yourself or as presents, check what kind of ink or paper they are using. If you want to print photos or important documents at home, do your research and choose the right ink.
Summary
Overall, While genuine pigment inks are more expensive, their benefits in terms of longevity, print quality, archival properties, and overall aesthetic appeal make them the preferred choice for producing high-quality professional printing and art reproduction. This investment in premium materials reflects our commitment to delivering the best possible products to our customers.