Canon printer color fade

[Skippy29]

I use a Canon i950 photo printer, and it prints out amazing pics. My problem is the color fades quickly. Like in a few weeks the color looks like hell. I use only the Canon inks and the PRO Canon photo paper. They are not getting sun faded. Anyone else having this problem? I am willing to try another printer but am afraid it will do the same thing.

[FlyingPete]

I gave up on Inkjets for the reason's you stated. However I haven't looked at the latest in reguard to these issue.

My last printer was an Epson Stylus Photo EX (A3), it also faded in a few weeks.

I couldn't justify the economics of running an inkjet for photos given the cost of getting them printed on real photo paper by professionals. The cost from our local printer (using a Fuji Digital Frontier on Crystal Archive Paper - www.frogprints.co.nz) worked out less than the good photo paper alone!

Just my two 6x4's worth.

[PacAce]

Take a look at this thread re fading:

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=46625&highlight=i9900

[Barb42]

I don't know if the ink is different from that used in the S9000, but I have not experienced any fading and my work in under all kinds of lighting. I did hear that Canon had a problem with counterfit inks. You might want to review your source. I use many different papers, and it works great.

[RogCincy]

I have to admit that with the cost of printing at my local shop or even online being so cheap I can't justify owning a printer.

[F1_Fan]

I have to admit that with the cost of printing at my local shop or even online being so cheap I can't justify owning a printer. It gets cost effective at larger sizes. I just printed a 8"x45" panorama on $4-5 of paper and a buck or two of ink.

As to the fade issue... ironically some Canon papers are said to be bad with Canon inks. Somewhere I read a rumour that it's the Photo Magenta ink that's to blame. For fade-free prints use Ilford Classic Pearl or Classic Gloss. I've got a test print on my office wall that receives sunlight for a few hours a day. After three months there is no fading.

You want to avoid nanoporous papers and use a resin coated (RC) paper. This is one of the tips I got during probably 10 of the most useful minutes of my life talking paper with the tech at my pro photo store.

This is what Ilford has to say:


*As with all nanoporous (instant dry) coated media, ILFORD GALERIE Smooth Gloss can be susceptible to 'gas fading' due to air bourne pollutants. Covering the image with glass for example, will ensure that a print from a dye based printer will last for up to 10 years depending on the manufacturers ink. Initial accelerated testing indicates that a GALERIE Smooth Paper product will last in excess of 30 years using a pigment ink desktop printer.

[XtremePhoto]

I just got rid of my last dye-based printer (a Canon i9100) and purchased two Epson UltraChrome ink printers. (R800 & 7600) I am using the R800 for on the spot printing at events and such. It is unbelievable how good the print quality is on the Epsons with ultra chrome inks and the archivability of the Epson inks is superb. You have many more options with Epson printers are far as papers are concerned, too; Matte rag, watercolor and semi-gloss (e Lustre) papers.

Gas fade is a problem with all dye-based ink printers and it all depends upon the handling of prints and the papers used to print. I have had great results with them and others have reported terrible results and bad fade.

I suggest you look into Ultra Chrome inks and Epson printers. They have all sizes to suit most needs. If you wants 4x6, 5x7 and 8x10 prints, look at the R800, it prints the best glossies that I have seen, that are truely long-lasting.

[Hellashot]

What paper are you using? I have a Canon i560 and use Epson 10mil paper, found it to do better than Canon paper but didn't try the very expensive Canon Paper Pro, and have found no evidence of fading of prints 3 months old.

I like doing my own printing because I have much more control over the finished product. Print Kiosks in stores now likely use middle of the line paper and you get what you get if you take to a place to have it printed. I can tweak color spaces, brightness to get it looking best plus use whatever paper I want.

[photoshooter]

hi i am a track photographer and sell photos we have went thru allkinds of paper we use a canon 900 and 9000 the best paper to use is ilford dries super fast we use cheap ink venus ink its like 2.10 a cartridge have no promblem with fadeing