Lightfastness of Printing Inks

The lightfast properties of printing inks can

be defined as the amount of resistance to
fade or color change of a printed surface
when exposed to daylight (or an artificial light
source) over a set period of time.

LIGHTFASTNESS, WEATHERABILITY OR
CHEMICAL ATTACK?

Prolonged exposure to daylight is only one of

many reasons for color fade. A lightfastness
rating is given as an ink property that can be
quantified under a narrow set of parameters in
the lab. However, if the same printed sample
were exposed to outside conditions, the resulting
color fade results would vary considerably from
the original lightfastness rating based on the
weather ability parameters of the exposed
sample. The same printed surface could also
react to Chemical Attack from solvents that
come into contact with the print from overprint
lacquers, varnishes, lamination adhesives or
even leaching of chemicals from the materials
stored in the package.
The scope of this paper is on lightfastness. As
the term suggests, it refers to the resistance of a
color to fading in the presence of daylight.
Daylight, as we know it, forms part of the
electromagnetic spectrum. This can be described
as a broad band of energy, radiated from the sun
in the form of waves. The part of the
electromagnetic spectrum seen below that
daylight occupies is measured in nanometers –
from 380 – 760nm.
SUNLIGHT SPECTRUM 250nm-2500
At the lower end of the daylight band is the
Ultraviolet content; these wavelengths extend
beyond 380nm to approximately 100nm. Located
just outside the daylight band, these wavelengths
are more energetic and are largely responsible
for color fading.
The UV wavelengths are characterized at three
different levels: UV-A, UV-B, & UV-C. It is only
UV-A & B that penetrate our atmosphere and it is
these we are concerned with. Of these, the UV-B;
the shortest wavelength, has the most potential
to fade colors (as well as cause burns of the skin
and other conditions).
The energy radiated via the electromagnetic
spectrum is not uniformly distributed throughout
the world. Also, the energy output varies
considerably depending on the seasons of the
year. Latitude, altitude, location and time of the
year have an enormous effect on the levels of
color fading. Discounting the effects of chemicals

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 and weathering, there are two basic factors at
work; the number of daylight hours and the BLUE WOOL SCALE app. Days

intensity of the UV radiation. 1 3

2 6
The largest seasonal variations in energy output 3 13
occur in the far northern and southern 4 27
hemispheres. For example; in Chicago USA, a 5 58
print exposed in July may fade in 20 days, 6 117
whereas in November it would fade in 140 days, 7 250
all else being equal. These types of variations 8 500
serve to emphasize that product-testing results Blue Wool Scale vs. app. Days of Outdoor Exposure
are always specific to a region and necessitates (New York Latitude)
the reliance on light testing equipment when
establishing fade resistance standards. The testing of fastness to light is highly specified
within standard methods. But this sets a
Prints can be tested either in location, usually benchmark only as far as a mechanical test.
under glass, or by a testing device that artificially Here is a typical table of Blue Wool Scale
creates the spectral remission that a print would assessment in a simulation of direct intense
be exposed to under daylight conditions. Both sunlight.
these methods incorporate the use of the Blue
Wool Scale (BWS).
BLUE WOOL SCALE app. Hours in Xenon
Fadeometer
Within the printing ink industry, fade resistant inks
1 20
are typically formulated on the basis of figures
quoted by the pigment suppliers and checked 2 40
using laboratory fade testing equipment. The 3 80
basis of the Blue Wool Scale is a series of dyed 4 160
wool strips. These strips are dyed with various
5 350
dyes graded from 1 (very low) to 8 (very high).
6 700
Each grade of dyed wool is carefully
manufactured to fade at a predetermined rate; 7 1500
each grade fading under test conditions at twice 8 3000
the exposure time of the next lowest grade. The
Blue Wool Scale vs. Xenon Fadeometer
test is conducted by exposing the eight blue wool
ASTM D 3492 Specifications
samples alongside the test print samples. Both
sets of samples are half masked. When the test
A prediction can be made based on the number
period is complete, all samples are unmasked
of days a print can be expected to last at the
and the degree of fade compared against a grey st
average optimum sunlight condition (March 21
scale that numerically indicates a level of fade st
and September 21 ).
and therefore assigning a number to the result.
Other methods of evaluation are being examined
Please note that this estimate is an average,
but currently the Blue Wool Scale is by far the
and that real world results may vary greatly
most popular method.
according to seasons. For example, a print
exposed during July, may last 20 – 25 days while
the same print exposed in November could
theoretically last up to 140 days. Additionally, you

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 may want to subtract additional days for
differences in latitude, altitude, location, exposure
to air pollution and other chemicals, humidity and
weathering effects. The bottom line is that, while
this estimate can be useful in choosing the right
pigmentation for your product, you, as the
customer, must ultimately monitor and test your
own results under your specific field conditions.
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
JAN M A R CH MAY J U LY S EP
Blue Wool 5 Pigmentation Fade Conditions at
varying months (New York Latitude)
PIGMENTATION CHOICES
There are a vast number of different pigmentation
choices available to printing ink manufacturers.
Pigments that are the highest grade of fade
resistance are usually the most expensive and
often these have much lower color intensity. For
these reasons, if the printer requires but does not
request light fastness properties, the ink
manufacturer will invariably supply inks based on
standard grade pigments. It is essential that if the
customer requires light fast pigmentation, he
must inform the ink supplier of these
requirements!
Please note that many standard grades of blue
and black as well as some greens and violets
have excellent fade resistance, while the
standard grade of yellow, red and purple have
poor fade characteristics. Optimally, the customer
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wants to choose the most inexpensive pigment
with adequate of fade resistance to meet
established end use specifications.
TECHNICAL HINTS
1. The light fastness of a color is determined by
the lowest value of any of the components in the
ink. Lightfast inks should contain lightfast
pigmentations top to bottom and bases used for
high fade conditions should be considered for the
entire ink.
2. In tints or pastels avoid use of heavy amounts
of transparent white and substitute with opaque
white, which substantially increases fade
resistance.
3. Avoid too-thin ink films. When properly cured,
the thicker film withstands light and weathering
better than a thinner film.
12
4. Where possible utilize a protective overprint
varnish with weather ability properties and
blocking agents with ability to screen out UV light
in the suns spectrum.
5. Check with your ink manufacturer on the grade
of pigmentation you are receiving in your
products.
6. Double check for any additional requirements
regarding chemicals that prints are subject to
come in contact and the ink/coatings ability to
withstand that environment.
7. Adhesion of the ink/coating is highly related to
inks durability of outdoor exposure. Make sure
adhesion is at its highest levels utilizing any
treatment or specialized inks necessary to
achieve those results.
Page 3 TechInfoLightfastPaper0109.doc