Digital graphics fading

[Jason Xuereb]

Which inks?

Solvent? Dye? Pigment?

I’m assuming solvent/eco solvent on MD-5.

3 Years apparently. 4 Years with lamination.

What are you producing?

[John Childs]

Where are the prints going?

Inside, maybe lamination not necessary for three years.

On a vehicle, even with full solvent inks, anything more than very short term promotional use, gets laminated.

[Jason Xuereb]

I’ve had some stuff on monomeric vinyl without lamination up for about 1.5 years now. Still looks good.

I got some on the same stuff but liquid laminate for about a year and looks as good as the day we installed it minus the dust 🙂

This was before I knew my casts and calendered.

We’ve had the banner on the fence for 6 months and its still fine.

I guess it depends on your intended uses.

[David Rowland]

I think he’s asking about the ink… johns right but to be honest I can see the early prints now fading slightly, one with liquid laminate.

[Peter Normington]

quote nnsg:

Does anyone know how long a digital printed graphic on MD-5 will last before fading etc. I have always laminated mine but have recently found out that I might not need to do this?

The only people who can give you a definitive answer, and back it with warranty would be the printer supplier, ask them, and also to put in writing, it may be not as long as you think,

different laminates also have varying degrees of uv protection, which is quite diferent from abrasion protection. a laminate may even accelerate fading,
so really no help am I?

peter

[Chris Wool]

any print of some value should be laminated.
i see some stickers i have done fade in 12 months on a car that’s hardly ever washed on the other hand same type of sticker on a car that’s had a coat of polish and garaged over night still looks as new.

a coat of polish will make florescent last twice as long.

chris

[Jamie Kimp]

It would be for vehicles and wall signs etc, Best laminating them then?