Editor:
You should always use archival inks and paper when you print your own photos to preserve your precious digital photographs. Otherwise, your very important photos might fade or the paper will break down in a few years.
The best printing inks are pigmented inks that last 150 years or much longer if they are not in bright lights, and some dye-based inks around 70 years. Wood pulp paper has an acid that will destroy the photo or art work in three or four years.
I have seen great works of art turn into dust at the bottom of a frame backed with acid paper or cardboard. Red ink in newspapers willfade in 24 hours in sunlight.
One of the best printers on the market for archival quality is Epson DuraBrite printers and some Canon printers, and the best papers are acid free. This information should be in all computer supply stores.
There is a long history with archival art and what you should know when buying art or taking digital photos. I was a professor of art at Emily Carr University for 30 years in the area of printmaking.
You cannot make important works of art that fade or fall apart in half a year.
Bob Evermon, Davis Bay
