Cathryn,
 From the very preliminary looking around I've done, the Epson 
printers do rate high concerning fade resistant inks, as David 
mentions.  The paper choice and its interaction with the inks will 
also play a role in stability.  Wilhelm Imaging Research leads the 
work done in this area and has published extensive findings on this 
subject concerning the whole range of printers, inks and papers.
Visit their site and I'm sure you'll find your answer 
http://www.wilhelm-research.com/index.html.
Good luck,
Lisa

  At 9:50 AM -0700 8/18/06, David Harvey wrote:
>Cathryn,
>
>I tried to find the fairly recent posting on the ConsDist list in
>regards to this but couldn't find it. The only "archival" quality
>printer inks that I am aware of are the Epson inks that have been
>tested for stability.
>
>Perhaps one of the other conservators who are on the list can post
>more specific information on them as I don't have it readily at hand
>right now.
>
>Cheers!
>Dave
>
>David Harvey
>Conservator
>Los Angeles, California
>
>On 8/18/06, Dan Bartlett <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>Cathryn
>>
>>We have an HP DesignJet 120.  I seal prints on semi gloss photo 
>>paper with a single coat of Minwax clear satin polyurethane aerosol 
>>spray.  This keeps them from fading much longer than if unsealed 
>>(go figure).  The wall graphics in our special exhibits gallery 
>>have been in place since Nov '04 and most (but not all) are holding 
>>up really well.  The gallery lights are UV filtered, and the light 
>>levels on the graphic panels are pretty high.  Unsealed graphics in 
>>the same room have been replaced twice since the exhibit opened 
>>because of fading.
>>
>>I actually tried the Minwax because I was trying to make the inkjet 
>>prints water resistant.  It works for that application really well.
>>
>>Yours,
>>
>>Dan Bartlett
>>Curator of Exhibits
>>Midway Village & Museum Center
>>Rockford, IL
>>
>>
>>---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
>>From:         Paul Fritz <[log in to unmask]>
>>Reply-To:     Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>>Date:          Fri, 18 Aug 2006 10:30:30 -0400
>>
>>>Cathryn,
>>>
>>>We also use a HP 800ps plotter for our in-house work.  We haven't had
>>>any issues with fade in any of our locations.
>>>
>>>We attempting to switch some of our signage to adhesive backed vinyl.
>>>We are hoping that it will prove even more stable.
>>>
>>>You could also try an over-laminate of some sort.   They come in rolls
>>>and can be hot or cold applied.
>>>
>>>Paul Fritz
>>>
>>>Cathryn Rowe wrote:
>>>>  Hi, I am a graphic designer at SNOMNH in Norman, OK. I am trying to
>>>>  find a printer that can print pieces that won't fade as quickly as
>>>>  what we have now. We currently have an HP 800ps. Prints that were made
>>>>  on the glossy paper we were using (Q1939A, recently discontinued)
>>>>  fade/discolor after 2-3 months. The latest thing we had to replace was
>>>>  a black sign. It had faded to a chocolate color around the edges while
>>>>  the rest of the sign had faded to a grayish color. We use TwinTak to
>>>>  adhere most of our signs to foamcore. UV light has been checked in the
>>>>  galleries and there isn't any. The banners that we print for our front
>>>>  lobby have barely faded at all (at least, not noticeably from the
>>>>  ground), & they are mostly exposed to sunlight. It is not practical
>>>>  for us to laminate or place plexi over every piece. Also, the couple
>>>>  of pieces we have under plexi have still faded around the edges.
>>>>
>>>>  When I talk to HP, they suggest getting the 5500 uvps. Since UV light
>>>>  is not our problem, I didn't know if the UV inks would really make
>>>>  much of a difference in terms of fading. I have gotten samples and
>>>>  have placed them in various areas around the museum, but am trying to
>>>>  get more information while I wait to see what happens.
>>>>
>>>>  Any recommendations, similar problems, experiences with either
>>>>  printer....would be appreciated. Feel free to email me directly at
>>>>  [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>.
>>  >>
>>>>  Thanks!
>>>>  ________
>>>>  Cathryn Rowe
>>>>  Graphic Designer
>>>>  Exhibits
>>>>  Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History
>>>>  email: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>>--
>>>*Paul C. Fritz*
>>>**Pamplin Historical Park & the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier*
>>>6125 Boydton Plank Road
>>>Petersburg, VA 23803
>>>(804) 861-2408 -- Tel
>>>(804) 861-2820 -- fax
>>>/Visit us at/
>>>www.PamplinPark.org <http://www.pamplinpark.org> *
>>>
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-- 

Lisa Elkin
Conservator of Natural Sciences Collections
Office of the Associate Dean of Science for Collections
American Museum of Natural History

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