Canon prints fading quickly - HELP!

[Skippy29]

I'm using the Canon i950 printer with the "Pro" Canon paper. My prints are fading horribly after just 2-3 months, what gives? They are not in direct sunlight either...as a matter of fact some faded that quickly even being inside a file drawer.

What gives?

[clickit]

Are you using Canon ink?

[Skippy29]

Yes, factory Canon inks..

[ejwebb]

Many factors contribute to this problem - including cigarette smoke and other gases and pollutants in the air in your area and in your house. That is why it is recommended to mount photos behind glass. Some even use spray on fixatives to combat this problem. You should read up on various papers and experiment to see what works best. The Ilford "Classic" line claims to be less prone to gas fading than their "quick-dry" papers and I love the Classic Pearl and Classic Gloss. Check out their website.

I have had Canon Photo Paper Pro (and Canon S820 printer) pictures up on my fridge uncovered for a few years with no fading but others pinned up in my office faded after a few months. Same with photos on my Dad's fridge - extremely faded and yellowed after a few months - but he and my stepmother smoke.

Hope this helps!!

[kraterz]

I'm yet to come across one canon printer whose prints last. Canon claims 25 yrs etc but it's more like 2-3 months under everyday use, for example, sticking a photo on the fridge. Epson's R800 and their 2000/2200 series printers produce prints which last far longer than Canon's. That said, I use an old Canon i550 for home, just for draft prints, because it's fast and cheap to use.

[ejwebb]

I have an Epson 870 - same issues with photos on my Dad's fridge. Not exclusively a Canon issue. Spray 'em or frame 'em!

[Steven M. Anthony]

Most times when a printer manufacturer claims decades for print life, it's usually on the condition that the print is framed.

[Longwatcher]

First recommend reading

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=50423

I hate Canon paper, use Kodak Ultima (not premium or everyday) or Ilford/Printasia (different names same paper (maybe)) to avoid fading with Canon OEM inks. I have even had better results using Epson paper with Canon inks.

I found that in my home the prints are okay, but at work prints on Canon paper were fading noticeably in about 6 weeks. I suspect the florecent lighting or large number of computers or closer proximity to the ocean (one or more of those three).

If you only like the look of Canon paper, then spray coat the print, you can find the spray at art supply stores and some camera stores. This will minimize the fade.

The problem has to do with out gassing. In order for the print to dry faster, it has to breath, so it remains porous, and this is the way Canon went with their paper. Kodak and Ilford both have coatings on their paper that absorbs the ink and then mostly seals over on top of it, providing the effect of coating the print. You should probably still apply a spray coating for longest logevity.

Kodak reports 100+ years longevity on standard household conditions (I trust this to 25 years and can confirm only 2+ years in open for Kodak and Ilford, 4+ behind glass so far for Kodak Ultima. Also note: Ultima is actually better for longevity then Professional.

Lastly remember that for color prints done with film processes the life expectancy was 10-15 years in open. B+W was about 25-40 in open. behind glass and/or in a controlled environment this goes up dramatically.

In summary, Canon printer good, Canon Inks good, Canon paper BAD.

Just my opinion and experience,

[photoshooter]

ilford paper the best i do the photos at our local short track we sell about 35 8 by 10 every fri night did it all last year and not 1 has came back faded do we use canon ink ? rotflmao nope we buy ours from eforcecity for i think 1.78 ea does it clog the print head we have had 3 print heads clog 1 with cheap ink 2 with canon you make the call 10.68 a set or 70.00 now i have done bumper stickers they last about 1 month if your lucky

[griff2]

I used to use a canon photo printer at work, and prints mounted on doors etc. stated to fade after a few months; prints mounted on my wall at home are still as good as ever - but they're behind glass. I've been using a HP5550 at home and haven't had one print fade on me yet, glass or no glass mounting.

[celsiusone]

What do you spray the pics with?

hmmm... i havnt had any problems with fading.. but then again, I use HP paper?

[Longwatcher]

What do you spray the pics with?


Lumijet has worked for me, but I know there are some other brands that work as well or better. Just make sure to wait 24 hours (if possible) before spraying to make sure the print is completely dry.

[fdi]

As someone else mentioned, print life claims are always assuming the print has been framed and is behind glass or acrylic glazing. That will help a lot. You can also use UV-filtering glass or acrylic which will help further. Indoor light will also contain UV but not as much as sunlight. The only true way to keep a print or tradition photo from fading is to keep it in the dark. Museums will rotate prints and keep them on “light” budget to help ensure really long life.

*******************************
Mark Rogers
Frame Destination, Inc.
http://www.framedestination.com
*******************************

[SSquared2000]

I have been using the Canon i900D (and Canon paper) and have not run into any fading yet. I have several photos on my desk at work (standing freely and leaning against my cubicle wall) with no protection on them. Many of these photos have been in two different buildings and have been out for 1.5 years.

I use Canon Matte and Photo Glossy Pro. I actually prefer matte over glossy, but I haven't found the matte in 4x6.

Longwatcher, thanks for the helpful information. Even though I have not seen any issues with Canon paper, I still may want to take a look at other paper types.

[soupdragon]

You mean I wasted my money on an I5000, spare inks and a bucket of pro paper.

That really sucks.

Anyone know how long lab prints last or are they just as bad.

If this don't improve real soon I'm going back to film.

[Longwatcher]

I have been using the Canon i900D (and Canon paper) and have not run into any fading yet. I have several photos on my desk at work (standing freely and leaning against my cubicle wall) with no protection on them. Many of these photos have been in two different buildings and have been out for 1.5 years.

I use Canon Matte and Photo Glossy Pro. I actually prefer matte over glossy, but I haven't found the matte in 4x6.

Longwatcher, thanks for the helpful information. Even though I have not seen any issues with Canon paper, I still may want to take a look at other paper types.

I think I mentioned in the sticky post on BCI-6 inks that the Canon Matte paper works better for longevity (although I like Epson Matte better), but I have had horrendous luck with the phtoto Glossy Pro paper in the office (again not at home though). Don't know what specifically is causing the difference, but huge difference. So maybe some condition in my office is not present in yours. I would love to know what it is.

My office has
- proximity to salt water (with frequent winds)
- Floresecent lighting (orange versus blue lights prevelant)
- a large number of computer equipment
- old wall heaters/air conditioners
- At the time, fairly new carpet and wall paper.

[Barb42]

Change out your inks - buy ink from a place you can trust does not buy counterfeit products. That means paying the going price and avoiding a company that offers ink cheap. I have had a Canon S9000 for some time and have never, never, had fading. I use canon paper and epson watercolor paper. I hang images in my cube at work and at home. When problem solving, do the simple things first and only one change at a time. Start with the ink on what you know is real Canon paper - again, be sure its not counterfeit. Canon, Epson and the others have their stuff tested by outside consultants who do only that. Only Kodak tests their own stuff - and the results are questionable. Most fading problems with the newer products occur when people are trying to save money buying inks on the cheap. When you buy a printer, you are also buying the ink technology. And you get what you pay for - always.

[SSquared2000]

Not sure if this will be helpful, but like I said, my photos lived in two completely different buildings (we moved 2 hours away and got a different job).

Building #1:

Photos pinned on my cubicle wall. Wall faced the outside window, so got sunlight coming in. Computer equipment all around (I'm a software developer). Flourescent lighting.

Building #2:

Photos lined up along my desk, leaning against cube wall. No windows, so all flourescent lighting. Computer equipment all around. I've now been here for 10 months like that.

I have pictures of pumpkins from November 2003. I like the pictures because I was so impressed with how well the G1 picked up the pumpkin colors. Even more impressed with how well the Canon printer printed the orange pumpkins.

I did print 2 pictures last night and the colors in the pictures are more vibrant than my other photos, but I am thinking it may have more to do with my new camera (Rebel XT).

I can do a test tonight by printing out new photos of the pumpkins and comparing with what I have at work.

[SSquared2000]

I printed out a photo and compared with the photo at work. I could not really see any difference between the pumpkins. The pumpkins are in a green cart with a yellow wheel, and this is where I noticed a difference. The older photo does have a somewhat lighter tone to it, but it actually helped in making the peeling paint much easier to see. The newer photo sort of oversaturated the green and I lost some of the emotion of the cart. In the end, I'm not really sure if the old photo has faded, or if the difference is in Canon vs. non-Canon ink. Both photos are printed on the same Glossy Photo Pro paper.

At this point, after 1.5 years, I can't really say there is a noticable fading.

[Longwatcher]

So it is looking like florescent lighting and computer equipment are not to blame.

I have always believed it was the proximity to salt water causing the problem at work.

[embdaw]

I have had bad luck with Canon brand paper. I have a i950 and use only canon brand ink. The paper is what seems to make a HUGE difference. I use NCR Satin finish photo paper (I can only find it at Kmart)....Okay, I know what you may be thinking, but this paper is VERY inexpensive $12 for 15 or 20 sheets (i cant remember).... but out of every brand of paper I have bought (and I have bought TONS of brands and styles of photo paper) this seems to last the longest and look the best... I have actually had photos unframed sit in the sun for a few weeks and only have very minimal fading... I dunno, it just seems to work good for me

but that is just my 2 cents...

:lol: