Press Releases

Sawgrass’ SubliJet-HD Pro Photo XF Inks Earn Wilhelm Imaging Research Print Display Permanence Rating of 64 Years

Published

8 years ago

September 29, 2016

Virtuoso-SJHD-VJ628-PRC-ProPhotoXF-Print

Sawgrass’ SubliJet-HD Pro Photo XF inks for the Virtuoso 25” (630mm) 8-Colour HD Product Decorating System have earned a print display permanence rating of 64 years from Wilhelm Imaging Research (WIR) when used to imprint ChromaLuxe high-definition photo panels. These inks deliver prints that last more than three times longer than those made on silver halide photo paper with other types of photographic ink.

“Print display permanence is a top concern for those who imprint fine art and photographic images, as the quality and lifespan of the images are incredibly valuable to customers,” said Darcy Mauro, President of Sawgrass. “Because we know that light can have a significant impact on the longevity of a print, we developed SubliJet-HD Pro Photo XF inks to provide extended image quality for these applications when exposed to light.”

Wilhelm Imaging Research, the world’s leading independent print permanence testing laboratory, conducted comprehensive, multi-factor print permanence tests under standard interior light conditions on ChromaLuxe high-definition photo panels imprinted with SubliJet-HD Pro Photo XF prints. The results found extended colorfastness and image permanence of 64 years and more than three times that of prints made on silver halide photo paper.

When displayed, unframed prints made with the latest generation of ChromaLuxe aluminum photo panels are far more stable and longer lasting than Kodak Endura or other current silver-halide papers, including silver-halide prints framed under UV-absorbing acrylic or glass or when face-mounted to UV-absorbing acrylic.

“Very complex interactions take place between sublimation inks and the ink receptive polymer coatings of dye sublimation prints, both during the short, high-heat image transfer step involved in making the prints and, very gradually over time, during the long-term display and storage of the prints,” said Henry Wilhelm, Director of Research at WIR. “What a print looks like when it emerges from the heat press tells you nothing at all about how long it will last. You can consider permanence – or the lack thereof – to be the invisible factor in sublimation printing.

“In terms of how long your prints will last, sublimation on metal photo panels is a new and rapidly advancing technology, and all aluminum photo panels – frequently referred to in the marketplace simply as ‘Metal Prints’ – are by no means the same,” Wilhelm continued. “If your lab is using untested products, both you and your customers are flying blind.”

SubliJet-HD Pro Photo XF inks were developed in partnership with ChromaLuxe for increased UV stability, image longevity and performance on ChromaLuxe media. Introduced earlier in 2016, this eight-cartridge set features three black inks – KXF, LkXF and LlkXF – which add extended longevity to prints, in addition to enhanced skin tones, neutral blacks and detail that fine art and photographic prints demand.

SubliJet-HD Pro Photo XF is one of five ink sets designed for use with the Virtuoso 25” (630 mm) 8-Colour HD Product Decorating System. Together, both printer and inks deliver true photographic-quality output, with smoother gradients and shading for skin tones, pastels and black-and-white images – all of which are crucial to producing the high-end prints that are in increased demand.

Both printer and ink set were named 2015 Specialty Graphics Imaging Association (SGIA) Roll-to-Roll Dye Sublimation on Metal Product of the Year, as their amazing eight-colour output eclipsed that of some of the world’s leading ink manufacturers in a blind, head-to-head comparison.

With an array of colour management options that include PowerDriver, print environments for Ergosoft, Wasatch RIP software and, soon, CreativeStudio, the 25” (630 mm) 8-Colour HD Product Decorating System is ideal for interior signage, fine art and photographic reproduction or high-volume production of personalised gifts and promotional products.

For more information about SubliJet-HD Pro Photo XF or the 25” (630 mm) 8-Colour HD Product Decorating System, contact Ingrid Van Loocke at ivanloocke@sawgrassink.com or visit SawgrassInk.com.

Let’s Talk About It

Creating a More Diverse and Inclusive Screen Printing Industry

LET’S TALK About It: Part 3 discusses how four screen printers have employed people with disabilities, why you should consider doing the same, the resources that are available, and more. Watch the live webinar, held August 16, moderated by Adrienne Palmer, editor-in-chief, Screen Printing magazine, with panelists Ali Banholzer, Amber Massey, Ryan Moor, and Jed Seifert. The multi-part series is hosted exclusively by ROQ.US and U.N.I.T.E Together. Let’s Talk About It: Part 1 focused on Black, female screen printers and can be watched here; Part 2 focused on the LGBTQ+ community and can be watched here.