If i use an inkjet printer to print a graphic on adhesive backed decal paper, will the two part finish coats prevent sun fading?

John Gaylord
Keewaydin Custom Rods
Dublin, OH; Naples, FL
jgbuckeye@gmail.com

That would depend on the specific inks used. Pigment inks are resistant to fade while dye based inks will fade fairly rapidly. Unfortunately it is not always easy or even possible to tell which printers use which inks. Epson had a line of inks some years ago, I think they were branded DuraBrite or something similar that utilized pigment based inks, not sure if they are still on the market or not. It is unlikely that a single manufacturer would have both dye and pigment based inks available for the same model printer. If shopping for an inkjet printer for this task, I would try to find one that uses terms like archival quality, lasting prints etc. Some thread finishes may have UV blockers that improve performance to fade, I'm not familiar with the chemistry with those to offer and advice on that point. Laser printers are another matter and usually will demonstrate good fastness properties. If you already have a printer that you wanted to use, only way to really tell is print a page and put it in the sun. (Or send it to a friend in Arizona or Florida for a faster answer!)

John

I love fishing, but to be honest this whole catching thing has me stumped!

I have lots of experience, some not so good, some excellent, with decals with inkjet printers and I think John has it right.

If I were going to make a lot of rods with my custom inkjet decals on them I would have a printer specifically set up for the decals and use archival inks only. A recent article in Rodmaker indicates that the UV "filters" in epoxy are intended to protect the substrate, not the epoxy itself, so that indicates that there are pretty effective filters in epoxy.

I have decals that are 7 years old that look like new and I have two this year that lasted less than a year and dramatically changed color. It was cheap inkjet tanks which were refilled with inferior ink.

G'Day John I have an Epson Printer set up with a "Continuous Ink Supply" with Pigment ink & have had no problems with the colour being leached by the sun .I have had this setup for only around 12 mths & more than happy with the results .The cost of the CIS system is on the costly side but you finish off in front due to the size of the ink containers & the cost of your printing is halved overall .

Regards Baz

Bundeena
NSW Australia

I'm not sure whether you really mean paper media, but if you are not familiar with the white vinyl ad clear vinyls from Papillio, availabvle at some of the sponsors I believe, you should try it. It is very easy to use, very thin, colors show well, and it may be more color fast (no data). But for color fast, the ink is the key.