Fluorescent Final Report - RIT

Digital Print Fluorescent Light Stability
Test Report for Universal Woods, Inc.
Andrea Venosa
Image Permanence Institute
Rochester Institute of Technology
70 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, NY 14623-5604
(585) 475-5199
(585) 475-7230 (Fax)
Introduction
Universal Woods, Inc. contracted with the Image Permanence Institute (IPI) to run
comparative fluorescent light stability tests on two targets (two ink/media combinations)
provided by them.
Procedure
Light stability studies were conducted on two different digital prints, simulating
fluorescent room illumination without glazing, initially for approximately 50 years. For
one of the samples, the exposure period was extended for a total of approximately 100
years because it had not reached an endpoint after the initial exposure period. For this
test, cool white fluorescent light with an illumination intensity of 50 kilolux was used.
The prints were exposed to the high-intensity fluorescent light for a total of 84 (or 168)
days. Eighty-four days of constant, high-intensity exposure is approximately equivalent
to 51 years of display under cool white fluorescent light, assuming a typical display
intensity of 450 lux for 12 hours per day. IPI’s fluorescent unit was custom built. It uses
forty-two GE F72T12- CW-1500-0 Cool White fluorescent tubes to achieve the high
intensity. A non-reactive and non-yellowing white material (100% cotton cellulose, 4-ply
white mount board) was used as a backing for the sample. The temperature and humidity
across the specimen plane were 70°F ±5°F and 50% RH ±3% RH.
The following table indicates the sample names provided by Universal Woods and
the sample codes that will be used throughout this report:
Sample Name Provided by Universal Woods Sample Code
ChromaLuxe Gloss White Aluminum with Sublijet CW
Long Lasting Fuji Pearl Photo Paper LL
Universal Woods provided targets consisting of cyan, magenta, yellow, red, green,
blue, and black patches, each at ten levels of darkness in roughly equal increments. All
target patches were measured in Status A visual, red, green, and blue density using a
GretagMacbeth Spectrolino spectrophotometer before testing and at one week intervals
during exposure. In density mode, this device conforms to ANSI/NAPM Standard
IT2.17-1995, ANSI/NAPM Standard IT2.18-1996, ANSI/NAPM Standard IT2.19-1994,
ISO Standard 5-4:1995, ISO Standard 5-3:1995, and ISO Standard 5-2:1991. Sample
patches were read in ANSI/ISO Status A visual, red, green, and blue as specified in
ANSI/NAPM Standard IT2.18-1996 and ISO Standard 5-3:1995. Results for each
material are based on the averages of the two replicates corresponding to each sample.
The calculations used to determine the amount of colorant fading suffered by the
samples during testing (calculated as percentage of change from original density) are
described below:
Percent Density Change in Pure Primary Color Patches

a) Pure cyan: %ΔdC(R)t = [(dC(R)t - dC(R)0) ÷ dC(R)0] × 100
b) Pure magenta: %ΔdM(G)t = [(dM(G)t - dM(G)0) ÷ dM(G)0] × 100
c) Pure yellow: %ΔdY(B)t = [(dY(B)t - dY(B)0) ÷ dY(B)0] × 100
Percent Density Change in Secondary (Mixed) Color Patches

d) Magenta in Red: %ΔdR(G)t = [(dR(G)t - dR(G)0) ÷ dR(G)0] × 100
e) Yellow in Red: %ΔdR(B)t = [(dR(B)t - dR(B)0) ÷ dR(B)0] × 100
f) Cyan in Green: %ΔdG(R)t = [(dG(R)t - dG(R)0) ÷ dG(R)0] × 100
g) Yellow in Green: %ΔdG(B)t = [(dG(B)t - dG(B)0) ÷ dG(B)0] × 100
h) Cyan in Blue: %ΔdB(R)t = [(dB(R)t - dB(R)0) ÷ dB(R)0] × 100
i) Magenta in Blue: %ΔdB(G)t = [(dB(G)t - dB(G)0) ÷ dB(G)0] × 100
Percent Density Change in Composite Neutral Patch

j) Cyan in neutral: %ΔdN(R)t = [(dN(R)t - dN(R)0) ÷ dN(R)0] × 100
k) Magenta in neutral: %ΔdN(G)t = [(dN(G)t - dN(G)0) ÷ dN(G)0] × 100
l) Yellow in neutral: %ΔdN(B)t = [(dN(B)t - dN(B)0) ÷ dN(B)0] × 100
The calculations used to determine the color balance in neutral (composite neutral,
gray) density patch (calculated as the percent of average density) are described below:
Percent Color Shift in Composite Neutral Patch

a) Cyan-magenta shift: %∆dN(R-G)t = |%∆dN(R)t - %∆dN(G)t|
b) Magenta-yellow shift: %∆dN(G-B)t = |%∆dN(G)t - %∆dN(B)t|
c) Yellow-cyan shift: %∆dN(B-R)t = |%∆dN(B)t - %∆dN(R)t|
The calculations used to determine the changes in dmin are described below:
Changes in dmin
a) Red density change: Δdmin(R)t = dmin(R)t – dmin(R)0
b) Green density change: Δ dmin(G)t = dmin(G)t – dmin(G)0
c) Blue density change: Δ dmin(B)t = dmin(B)t – dmin(B)0
Other than dmin stain, all parameter calculations were performed for an initial density
of 0.5 and 1.0. Many manufacturers feel that cyan, magenta, and yellow patches almost
never appear in real images and that these patches fade unusually fast. However, IPI does
not fully agree with these manufacturers and includes the analysis of these patches.
The Standard does not specify applicable acceptable endpoints because the amount
of image change that can be tolerated is subjective, and will vary with the product type
and specific consumer or institutional requirements. The endpoints selected by IPI agree
with the illustrative endpoints chosen by the ISO 18909:2006.
The overall predicted display life is based on the time to reach the first of the
endpoints given below.
Parameter Patch Endpoint
Cyan fade Pure cyan 30% loss
Magenta fade Pure magenta 30% loss
Yellow fade Pure yellow 30% loss
Black fade Pure black 30% loss
Magenta fade Red 30% loss
Yellow fade Red 30% loss
Cyan fade Green 30% loss
Yellow fade Green 30% loss

Cyan fade Blue 30% loss
Magenta fade Blue 30% loss
Cyan fade Composite neutral 30% loss
Magenta fade Composite neutral 30% loss
Yellow fade Composite neutral 30% loss
Red-green color balance Composite neutral 15% change
Red-blue color balance Composite neutral 15% change
Green-blue color balance Composite neutral 15% change
Parameter Patch Endpoint
Cyan stain White +0.10
Magenta stain White +0.10
Yellow stain White +0.10
Note that all the predictions are based on the following assumptions:
1. Only photochemical reactions are responsible for optical changes in the

colorants.
2. The reaction rates are governed only by the amount of light. In other words, the
rate-determining step depends only on the rate that photons are delivered to the
reaction.
3. Light fading obeys reciprocity law. Reciprocity law says that the total chemical
change is constant for a given constant exposure, independent of the intensity,
where exposure equals intensity multiplied by time.
4. Only cool-white fluorescent light is used for typical display.
5. The intensity of the typical display condition is 450 lux.
6. The exposure time for typical display is 12 hours per day.

Results
Predicted years to reach endpoints in the 0.5 density patches are given in the table below:
Predicted Years to Endpoint – 0.5 density

patches
Sample CW LL
Cyan fade >102 40
Magenta fade 70 35
Yellow fade >102 48
Black fade >102 45
Magenta fade (Red) 64 39
Yellow fade (Red) 63 50
Cyan fade (Green) >102 46
Yellow fade (Green) >102 50
Cyan fade (Blue) >102 42
Magenta fade (Blue) >102 40
Cyan fade (neutral patch) >102 47
Magenta fade (neutral patch) >102 45
Yellow fade (neutral patch) 102 >51
Red-green color balance >102 >51
Red-blue color balance 70 >51
Green-blue color balance >102 >51

Predicted years to reach endpoints in the 1.0 density patches are given in the table below:
Predicted Years to Endpoint – 1.0 density

patches
Sample CW LL
Cyan fade >102 40
Magenta fade >102 38
Yellow fade >102 49
Black fade >102 >51
Magenta fade (Red) >102 43
Yellow fade (Red) 60 >51
Cyan fade (Green) >102 50
Yellow fade (Green) >102 >51
Cyan fade (Blue) >102 44
Magenta fade (Blue) >102 45
Cyan fade (neutral patch) >102 >51
Magenta fade (neutral patch) >102 >51
Yellow fade (neutral patch) >102 >51
Red-green color balance >102 >51
Red-blue color balance >102 >51
Green-blue color balance >102 >51
None of the materials reached endpoint criteria for dmin density gain.
Discussion
Measurements
Color Fade.
Sample CW: The weakest colorant was yellow, causing this sample to reach its
endpoint after 60 simulated years of display. Magenta was the next weakest colorant.
Sample LL: Magenta was the weakest colorant, causing this sample to reach its
endpoint after 35 simulated years of display. Cyan was the next weakest colorant.
See Appendixes A and B for graphs.
Stain.
None of the samples reached endpoint criteria for staining (discoloring of the
media) during the light exposure. See Appendix C for graphs.
Color Balance.
This parameter is analyzed with the purpose of determining the degree to which
image neutrality has been affected due to colorant fade caused by light. There should be a
relatively equal colorant loss (cyan, magenta and yellow) for the image to remain neutral.
When this loss is unequal (crosses the ±15% limit), the image will exhibit a specific
colorcast, and original colors may show shift in hue.
CW reached an endpoint for color-balance after 70 simulated years. Its color

shifted toward blue. LL didn’t reach an endpoint for color-balance during the extent of its
exposure (51 simulated years). See Appendixes A and B for graphs.
Visual Observations
When the tested samples where visually assessed against the control samples, the
following observations where made:
• In general, the visual assessment of the samples matched the numerical

interpretations for the color patches.
• Even though the numerical data indicated that no endpoint was reached for
dmin density gain in any of the samples, slight yellowing could be observed
in LL.
• Slight bleaching of the dmin area was observed in sample CW.
Conclusions
Overall Life Expectancy

The following table indicates simulated years of exposure to reach the first endpoint.
Predicted Years to Reach First Endpoint
Paper only Image area Image area

Sample
(dmin) (0.5 density) (1.0 density)
CW >102 63 60
LL >51 35 38
The materials are ranked below in order from best to worst performer based on time
to reach the first endpoint:
1) CW
2) LL
It must be understood that these results pertain exclusively to the particular array of
materials tested including printer, colorant, and media.
Appendix A
Graphs of Densitometry-based Changes in Samples during Exposure in
Patches 0.5 Density Units
Percent Cyan Colorant Retention in 0.5 Pure Cyan Patch During Exposure to 50
Kilolux Filtered Cool White Fluorescent Light (70ºF and 50%RH)
120
100
Percent Cyan Colorant Retention
80
ChromaLuxe Gloss White Aluminum with

Sublijet
60 Long Lasting Fuji Pearl Photo Paper
Endpoint 70%
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Simulated Years of Exposure (assuming 450 lux, 12 hours per day)
Percent Magenta Colorant Retention in 0.5 Pure Magenta Patch During
Exposure to 50 Kilolux Filtered Cool White Fluorescent Light (70ºF and 50%RH)
120
100
Percent Magenta Colorant Retention
80

Sublijet
Endpoint 70%
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Percent Yellow Colorant Retention in 0.5 Pure Yellow Patch During Exposure to
50 Kilolux Filtered Cool White Fluorescent Light (70ºF and 50%RH)
120
100
Percent Yellow Colorant Retention
80

Sublijet
Endpoint 70%
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Percent Black Colorant Retention in 0.5 Pure Black Patch During Exposure to 50
120
100
Percent Black Colorant Retention
80

Sublijet
Endpoint 70%
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Percent Magenta Colorant Retention in 0.5 Red Patch During Exposure to 50
120
100
80

Sublijet
Endpoint 70%
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Percent Yellow Colorant Retention in 0.5 Red Patch During Exposure to 50
120
100
80

Sublijet
Endpoint 70%
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Percent Cyan Colorant Retention in 0.5 Green Patch During Exposure to 50
120
100
80

Sublijet
Endpoint 70%
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Percent Yellow Colorant Retention in 0.5 Green Patch During Exposure to 50
120
100
80

Sublijet
Endpoint 70%
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Percent Cyan Colorant Retention in 0.5 Blue Patch During Exposure to 50
120
100
80

Sublijet
Endpoint 70%
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Percent Magenta Colorant Retention in 0.5 Blue Patch During Exposure to 50
120
100
80

Sublijet
Endpoint 70%
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Percent Cyan Colorant Retention in 0.5 Neutral Patch During Exposure to 50
120
100
80

Sublijet
Endpoint 70%
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Percent Magenta Colorant Retention in 0.5 Neutral Patch During Exposure to 50
120
100
80

Sublijet
Endpoint 70%
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Percent Yellow Colorant Retention in 0.5 Neutral Patch During Exposure to 50
120
100
80

Sublijet
Endpoint 70%
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Percent Red – Green Color Imbalance in 0.5 Neutral Patch During Exposure to
100
80
60
Percent Red – Green Color Imbalance
40

20 Sublijet
Long Lasting Fuji Pearl Photo Paper
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 Endpoint +15%
-20 Endpoint -15%
-40
-60
-80
-100
Percent Red – Blue Color Imbalance in 0.5 Neutral Patch During Exposure to 50
100
80
60
Percent Red – Blue Color Imbalance
40

20 Sublijet
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 Endpoint +15%
-20 Endpoint -15%
-40
-60
-80
-100
Percent Green – Blue Color Imbalance in 0.5 Neutral Patch During Exposure to
100
80
60
Percent Green – Blue Color Imbalance
40

20 Sublijet
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 Endpoint +15%
-20 Endpoint -15%
-40
-60
-80
-100
Appendix B
Graphs of Densitometry-based Changes in Samples during Exposure in
Patches 1.0 Density Units
Percent Cyan Colorant Retention in 1.0 Pure Cyan Patch During Exposure to 50
120
100
80

60 Sublijet
Endpoint 70%
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Percent Magenta Colorant Retention in 1.0 Pure Magenta Patch During
Exposure to 50 Kilolux Filtered Cool White Fluorescent Light (70ºF and 50%RH)
120
100
80

60 Sublijet
Endpoint 70%
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Percent Yellow Colorant Retention in 1.0 Pure Yellow Patch During Exposure to
120
100
80

60 Sublijet
Endpoint 70%
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Percent Black Colorant Retention in 1.0 Pure Black Patch During Exposure to
120
100
Percent Black Colorant Retention
80

60 Sublijet
Endpoint 70%
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Percent Magenta Colorant Retention in 1.0 Red Patch During Exposure to 50
120
100
80

60 Sublijet
Endpoint 70%
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Percent Yellow Colorant Retention in 1.0 Red Patch During Exposure to 50
120
100
80

60 Sublijet
Endpoint 70%
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Percent Cyan Colorant Retention in 1.0 Green Patch During Exposure to 50
120
100
80

60 Sublijet
Endpoint 70%
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Percent Yellow Colorant Retention in 1.0 Green Patch During Exposure to 50
120
100
80

60 Sublijet
Endpoint 70%
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Percent Cyan Colorant Retention in 1.0 Blue Patch During Exposure to 50
120
100
80

60 Sublijet
Endpoint 70%
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Percent Magenta Colorant Retention in 1.0 Blue Patch During Exposure to 50
120
100
80

60 Sublijet
Endpoint 70%
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Percent Cyan Colorant Retention in 1.0 Neutral Patch During Exposure to 50
120
100
80

60 Sublijet
Endpoint 70%
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Percent Magenta Colorant Retention in 1.0 Neutral Patch During Exposure to 50
120
100
80

60 Sublijet
Endpoint 70%
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Percent Yellow Colorant Retention in 1.0 Neutral Patch During Exposure to 50
120
100
80

60 Sublijet
Endpoint 70%
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Percent Red – Green Color Imbalance in 1.0 Neutral Patch During Exposure to
100
80
60
Percent Red – Green Color Imbalance
40
20
Sublijet
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Endpoint +15%
-20
Endpoint -15%
-40
-60
-80
-100
Percent Red – Blue Color Imbalance in 1.0 Neutral Patch During Exposure to 50
100
80
60
Percent Red – Blue Color Imbalance
40
20
Sublijet
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Endpoint +15%
-20
Endpoint -15%
-40
-60
-80
-100
Percent Green – Blue Color Imbalance in 1.0 Neutral Patch During Exposure to
100
80
60
Percent Green – Blue Color Imbalance
40
20
Sublijet
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Endpoint +15%
-20
Endpoint -15%
-40
-60
-80
-100
Appendix C
Graphs of Densitometry-based Changes in Samples during Exposure in dmin
Cyan Stain in Dmin Patch During Exposure to 50 Kilolux Filtered Cool White
Fluorescent Light (70ºF and 50%RH)
0.22
0.18
0.14
Red Density Change
0.1
Sublijet
0.06
Endpoint 0.1
0.02
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
-0.02
-0.06
Magenta Stain in Dmin Patch During Exposure to 50 Kilolux Filtered Cool White
0.22
0.18
0.14
Green Density Change
0.1
Sublijet
0.06
Endpoint 0.1
0.02
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
-0.02
-0.06
Yellow Stain in Dmin Patch During Exposure to 50 Kilolux Filtered Cool White
0.22
0.18
0.14
Blue Density Change
0.1
Sublijet
0.06
Endpoint 0.1
0.02
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
-0.02
-0.06

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Digital Print Fluorescent Light Stability

Test Report for Universal Woods, Inc.

Sample Name Provided by Universal Woods Sample Code

ChromaLuxe Gloss White Aluminum with Sublijet CW

Long Lasting Fuji Pearl Photo Paper LL

Percent Density Change in Pure Primary Color Patches

Percent Density Change in Secondary (Mixed) Color Patches

Percent Density Change in Composite Neutral Patch

Percent Color Shift in Composite Neutral Patch

Parameter Patch Endpoint

Cyan fade Pure cyan 30% loss

Magenta fade Pure magenta 30% loss

Yellow fade Pure yellow 30% loss

Black fade Pure black 30% loss

Magenta fade Red 30% loss

Yellow fade Red 30% loss

Cyan fade Green 30% loss

Yellow fade Green 30% loss

Magenta fade Blue 30% loss

Cyan fade Composite neutral 30% loss

Magenta fade Composite neutral 30% loss

Yellow fade Composite neutral 30% loss

Red-green color balance Composite neutral 15% change

Red-blue color balance Composite neutral 15% change

Green-blue color balance Composite neutral 15% change

Parameter Patch Endpoint

Cyan stain White +0.10

Magenta stain White +0.10

Yellow stain White +0.10

1. Only photochemical reactions are responsible for optical changes in the

4. Only cool-white fluorescent light is used for typical display.

5. The intensity of the typical display condition is 450 lux.

6. The exposure time for typical display is 12 hours per day.

Predicted Years to Endpoint – 0.5 density

Cyan fade >102 40

Yellow fade >102 48

Black fade >102 45

Magenta fade (Red) 64 39

Yellow fade (Red) 63 50

Cyan fade (Green) >102 46

Yellow fade (Green) >102 50

Cyan fade (Blue) >102 42

Magenta fade (Blue) >102 40

Cyan fade (neutral patch) >102 47

Magenta fade (neutral patch) >102 45

Yellow fade (neutral patch) 102 >51

Red-green color balance >102 >51

Red-blue color balance 70 >51

Green-blue color balance >102 >51

Predicted Years to Endpoint – 1.0 density

Cyan fade >102 40

Magenta fade >102 38

Yellow fade >102 49

Black fade >102 >51

Magenta fade (Red) >102 43

Yellow fade (Red) 60 >51

Cyan fade (Green) >102 50

Yellow fade (Green) >102 >51

Cyan fade (Blue) >102 44