R
Richard Steinfeld
A new report has been released by the renowned German Instituten von
Pigmentenundleicht Gesellshaft of Hannover, in which inkjet printer ink
was tested for permanence when exposed to various environments. Inks
were tested with papers likely to be encountered, as well as exposure to
anticipated normal environmental conditions. All testing was performed
to meet appropriate DIN as well as ISO standards. Testing was
underwritten by the printer manufacturers. Here is a list of the inks,
papers, and environmental conditions, as well as the results:
Category I: Major Printer Manufacturers
Hewlett-Packard HP Premium Inkjet paper Laboratory Air
Epson Epson Premium Inkjet paper Laboratory Air
Canon Canon Premium Inkjet paper Laboratory Air
Category II: Discount Suppliers
Pearl River Bridge HP Premium Inkjet paper Ocean spray, fog
Huang and Suzie's Canon Premium Inkjet paper Cave air, mildew
Staples HP Premium Inkjet paper Laboratory Air
Your Pigment Madhouse Epson Premium Inkjet paper Birdcage floor
Ink-O-Rama Cheaphaus Butcher paper, roll IRT Times Square Station (by
the hot dog stand)
Category III: Premium Aftermarket Ink Specialists
Computer Friends Butcher paper, roll Chicken blood
Inktek Newsprint Hershey's Chocolate Syrup
Formulabs Parchment (genuine Egyptian) Cave air, mildew
MIS Charmin Sulfuric Acid mist
Results:
The inks produced by the major printer manufacturers delivered
outstanding performance and consistent saturation and color balance.
Inks from the discount suppliers were inconsistent. After four weeks of
aging, the test prints showed color shifts with some blotching. The
Specialist Aftermarket Inks showed brown stains or a brownish cast. Some
of the paper was torn or dissolved. In one case, the ink proved to be an
outstanding bacterial medium, taking on the coloration of the culture
that was growing. Some samples emitted a foul odor.
Dr. Richard Steinfeldt, director of the Institute, commented: "Of
course, the original equipment inks were superior in all respects.
Results were totally consistent, with rich, vibrant colors that almost
jumped off the paper with their realism. With the Discounters, one takes
his chances -- they are always bad investments. Frankly, inks in
Category III produced the worst results of all. We were totally
disappointed. In one case, aging produced unsanitary prints with the
danger of infection and allergic reactions. One of our researchers had
to go to the hospital with uncontrollable sneezing. If you want to avoid
the dangers of bad health and hospitalization, avoid these so-called
Premium "specialist" inks: do not buy them; they are disgusting. Always
buy only the inks made by your printer's manufacturer. You cannot go
wrong. They are your best value: always worth the money. You should
always buy their paper, too."
Pigmentenundleicht Gesellshaft of Hannover, in which inkjet printer ink
was tested for permanence when exposed to various environments. Inks
were tested with papers likely to be encountered, as well as exposure to
anticipated normal environmental conditions. All testing was performed
to meet appropriate DIN as well as ISO standards. Testing was
underwritten by the printer manufacturers. Here is a list of the inks,
papers, and environmental conditions, as well as the results:
Category I: Major Printer Manufacturers
Hewlett-Packard HP Premium Inkjet paper Laboratory Air
Epson Epson Premium Inkjet paper Laboratory Air
Canon Canon Premium Inkjet paper Laboratory Air
Category II: Discount Suppliers
Pearl River Bridge HP Premium Inkjet paper Ocean spray, fog
Huang and Suzie's Canon Premium Inkjet paper Cave air, mildew
Staples HP Premium Inkjet paper Laboratory Air
Your Pigment Madhouse Epson Premium Inkjet paper Birdcage floor
Ink-O-Rama Cheaphaus Butcher paper, roll IRT Times Square Station (by
the hot dog stand)
Category III: Premium Aftermarket Ink Specialists
Computer Friends Butcher paper, roll Chicken blood
Inktek Newsprint Hershey's Chocolate Syrup
Formulabs Parchment (genuine Egyptian) Cave air, mildew
MIS Charmin Sulfuric Acid mist
Results:
The inks produced by the major printer manufacturers delivered
outstanding performance and consistent saturation and color balance.
Inks from the discount suppliers were inconsistent. After four weeks of
aging, the test prints showed color shifts with some blotching. The
Specialist Aftermarket Inks showed brown stains or a brownish cast. Some
of the paper was torn or dissolved. In one case, the ink proved to be an
outstanding bacterial medium, taking on the coloration of the culture
that was growing. Some samples emitted a foul odor.
Dr. Richard Steinfeldt, director of the Institute, commented: "Of
course, the original equipment inks were superior in all respects.
Results were totally consistent, with rich, vibrant colors that almost
jumped off the paper with their realism. With the Discounters, one takes
his chances -- they are always bad investments. Frankly, inks in
Category III produced the worst results of all. We were totally
disappointed. In one case, aging produced unsanitary prints with the
danger of infection and allergic reactions. One of our researchers had
to go to the hospital with uncontrollable sneezing. If you want to avoid
the dangers of bad health and hospitalization, avoid these so-called
Premium "specialist" inks: do not buy them; they are disgusting. Always
buy only the inks made by your printer's manufacturer. You cannot go
wrong. They are your best value: always worth the money. You should
always buy their paper, too."
