What are the technical requirements to produce an Archival Fine Art Print?
When trying to understand the specifics of an archival fine art print, it is essential to learn about the types of prints that can be produced using current technologies. The first element to consider is the plotter (printer). There are many types of large-format printers, each using different ink technologies. Available ink systems include solvent, eco-solvent, dye-based, and pigment-based inks, among others.
Printers that use solvent or eco-solvent inks, or the sublimation process, are primarily intended for the advertising industry. They are used for printing banners, billboards, and outdoor prints exposed to sunlight and other environmental conditions.
Such systems are designed for products with short-term durability. They are appropriate for advertising campaigns, which typically rotate within periods of less than one year. Common substrates for these printing techniques include canvas, vinyl, RC papers, and surfaces such as metal, wood, and acrylic.
By contrast, these printers and their inks are not suitable for Fine Art printing. Neither the inks nor the substrates can guarantee long-term stability. They are engineered for products that can be easily replaced. Chemical reactions within these materials contribute to color degradation and physical changes in the substrate over time.
In dye-based ink printers, the inks are generally alcohol-based. Over time, they undergo chemical reactions that cause accelerated color fading, especially when exposed to light. For this reason, dye-based inks have largely fallen out of use in professional Fine Art printing. This degradation occurs regardless of the substrate, though certain materials may accelerate it further.
Finally, we arrive at pigment-based inkjet printers, which constitute the basic—and necessary—technical conditions for Fine Art printing. These inks offer a significantly wider color gamut. When combined with certified archival papers, they provide color stability and permanence for hundreds of years: the inks do not fade, shift, or vanish over time, maintaining their original chromatic integrity under proper conservation conditions.
To achieve an Archival Fine Art Print, it is essential to consider both the printer technology and the ink set used. Personally, I recommend printer systems that deliver the highest possible color performance—specifically those using electrically actuated printheads rather than heat-based systems, as the former ensures consistent color output from print to print.
In particular, the Epson 12 color system, which includes green, orange, and violet, allows for a substantial expansion of the achievable color gamut. When this technology is combined with proper color management, EPSON claims it can reproduce up to 99% of the Pantone color range. When certified archival substrates are used, whiteness and luminance can exceed 96%.
This complete integration of pigment inks, advanced color systems, precise color management, and archival-grade substrates is what I define as a true ARCHIVAL FINE ART PRINT.
