Imageandart

I'm using a Canon Pixma Pro 100 printer and due to the cost of original Canon ink cartridges CLI42 I've been buying third party suppliers on Ebay. The sellers all have very high positive responses in the tens of thousands. What I've noticed lately is that there has been fading on some of the prints that were not very old (less than a year). They were kept in regular room light and not in direct sunlight. Can any of you recommend a third party supplier whose inks do not fade and are archival?

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Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

WOW, big change in a year!

Hamltnblue Loc: Springfield PA

Only one way to know for sure, and that's to use inks that were made for your printer.
If that was a print that was sold to a customer, your credibility would be questioned.
If it was sold to a customer or family member and was of a deceased relative, they would be disappointed to say the least.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

What type of lights in the room? Florescent lights do put out some UV and can fade photos etc. The new LED bulbs don't.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Cut corners and this happens.
--Bob

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

If you use ink and media from Canon, you won't have this problem. If you use quality archival paper from any of the well-respected paper mfgrs, you might get some fading but not likely in your lifetime.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Of course, the particular printer is not the real question, which is are aftermarket inks fade resistant. The cost of UV additives is trivial at the percentages added. The formulation of inks is commonplace information, do you think that Canon has a private factory in China, my guess is no... as with many things relabeling is a common practice.

So why do prints fade, is it UV or Other factors? "Air fade of an inkjet photo print is caused by direct contact with airborne gases and pollutants, primarily ozone." High humidity "dissolves" pollutants and the degradation reaction is accelerated.
https://www.shutterbug.com/content/how-long-will-your-digital-prints-lastbryou-may-be-surprised-page-2

Robertjerl said: " Florescent lights do put out some UV and can fade photos etc." Early in my career, I did colorimetric analysis and fading was a problem so the lab was equipped with UV filters over the Fluorescent lamps.

"The only difference that we have found in all honesty is that the genuine ink holds up better long term under harsh UV conditions. In normal home situations, the generic ink photos will remain unchanged for many years"
https://www.inkhub.com.au/ink/common-myths-about-generic-printer-cartridges

Paper makes a difference as demonstrated by RedRiver Paper Company:
https://www.redrivercatalog.com/infocenter/printlife4.htm

RedRiver lists inks known to work well with their paper: Precision Colors, MIS Inks, Conetech Piezography / Inkjet Mall, Lyson. They give a link to Precision inks.

https://www.redrivercatalog.com/infocenter/3rdpartyinks.html
Precision Lab is unable to obtain cart blanks for the pro 100 but does offer refill kits:
https://www.precisioncolors.com/PC42cref.html

I have had no problem with fading, Lucky perhaps. I do put a microfilm of paraffin on the prints using the flat short brisel paint applies found in Walmart or Lowes etc. This is done to make the prints water-resistant and perhaps some Ozone resistance [if blocked by wax Ozone can not attack the ink].
" does not provide UV protection" However, the wax can provide a barrier to humidity and air pollutants which cited above are significant contributors to fading.
https://forum.luminous-landscape.com/index.php?topic=65647.0

As with many crafts what works for one may be used in another. Art Candles are susceptible to fading, but there are additives to protect the colors from UV. The same can be applied to the Paraffin that I use for my prints and so
thank you Imageandart for this thought-provoking educational question, in the future this UV additive will be mixed with the paraffin coating. [8oz for $12 also from Amazon]
https://www.candlescience.com/additives/uv-inhibitor/

traderjohn Loc: New York City

It looks like you get what you pay for.

tcthome Loc: NJ

https://precisioncolors.com/

also check out this guys channel & facebook page. He might recommend other suppliers of good ink the one above. You might need to learn the refill process which he has vids on also.


https://www.youtube.com/user/cheo1949

Imageandart

Thank you all for your knowledgeable insights. In the future, I will use genuine Canon inks for important images that need to last.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

The print is where the rubber meets the road, and all 3rd party inks will fade faster than OEM ink. That wouldn't be where I would try to save money.

charles tabb Loc: Richmond VA.

I had the same problem with price.
I now buy all my inks for my Canon P-100 from LD Products. (www.ldproducts.com)
I haven't had a problem with colors or fading as yet. It's been a year or more now.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I have that problem, and I use Canon inks! My prints fade so badly, I'm afraid to make prints to sell.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

And where is your data to back up that assertion?

unlucky2 Loc: Hemet Ca.

I print with a pro 100 and I use precision color "signature series" inks on Canon paper without a fading problem. I spray my prints with Hahnemuhle protective spray ($20 + for 400ml can). Refilling the cl42 cartridges is easy, fast and very economical. I think the key is the Hahnemuhle spray.