Opinions Wanted Yellow Lab

[Less]

Someone just brought a 36 x 48 metal framed photo with no glass or mat that turned yellow. The color under the frame looked much better. The photo changed color over one year. They had it mounted at Michael’s, framed locally. Why they came in is beyond Less. Looking for new advice I guess. The lab, based in CA told them someone must have used a chemical in the mounting process, and they would not replace it. The lab was not nice on the phone to them and did hint they may have changed the process over the years. Less sees nothing unusual about the way it was done, except no glass. I have a hard time believing that should matter. Less would guess poor paper or ink. I asked them if they cleaned the surface and they said no, which I believe since the discoloring is so even. Their friend who took the photo had it printed by the same lab at an early date. His print is framed with mat and glass, and supposedly no problem.

 

[Ylva]

Is the friend's print drymounted?

I don't think there will be any way of explaining this satisfactory; either the drymounting did something, or the no glass. Where did they hang it??? Are they smokers??? Burn a lot of candles???

 

[Jerry Ervin]

Did they clean it a lot with Windex w/ Ammonia D? You know, the 'good stuff'.

 

[homeaccents]

Are they smokers???

This was the first thing I wondered too.

 

[Bob Doyle]

If the color under the frame rabbet looked better than the image that was exposed to the light, and the elements, then I would surmise that the light, or elements, played havoc on the image.

Either the inks used weren't UV protective inks, or the image was hung in almost complete sunlight.

Ask the friend to reprint them another copy and this time cover it with UV glass. IMO the image got the protection they paid for, none, and should be proof to them that more uv protection would be warranted

 

[Jeff Rodier]

No glass means no good can come of it. Clear glass blocks UV in the mid 20% range. Being exposed to air accelerates aging. Bad choices make for bad outcomes.

 

[MabSadie2]

I'm going with no glass being the problem and not just because of light.

There's a thread on here somewheres about the aging affects of just plan air/ozone.

 

[Less]

interesting

http://www.gicleeprinterreview.org/ip/inkjetcanvas.html

Acidity - One primary determinant of longevity is the acidic content within an inkjet canvas. The introduction of acid to an inkjet canvas print will cause it to quickly yellow and deteriorate. Finding an inkjet canvas that is completely acid-free and ph-neutral is extremely important in preserving the longevity of your prints. Most inkjet canvas suppliers will boast an acid-free product but in actuality they are referring only to the raw inkjet canvas material, conveniently leaving out the acidic content of the inkjet receptive coating applied on top, which completely negate the initial claim. In order to maximize and ensure longevity, printmakers should therefore make sure that an inkjet canvas has both an acid-free raw inkjet canvas base and an acid-free inkjet receptive coating.

 

[Jim Miller]

...The color under the frame looked much better...

This implies that the problem is probably associated with exposure to airborne contaminants or light.

When customers in the future want to frame a photo without glazing, tell them this customer's cautionary tale.

 

[Less]

This implies that the problem is probably associated with exposure to airborne contaminants or light.

When customers in the future want to frame a photo without glazing, tell them this customer's cautionary tale.

Less could not guarantee the print would not do the same – perhaps slower. I would guess that the light and air accelerated the issues with the print. A print should survive fine on its own without such dramatic color shifting. Less would like to know what type of print and paper would cause such a dramatic change in any condition, and why would anyone risk losing future business by not replacing the print. I would not be pleased if I framed it with cc glass and it did the same. It would be a great experiment. If Michael’s mounted it, it is likely that the mounting materials are not the issue.

The customer did say that is was not in a sun filled room, but did have two small spot lights on it.

 

[Jeff Rodier]

The spot lights will greatly speed the fading. Even with UV glass it will occur but at a slower rate.

 

[AnneL]

What kind of bulbs were in the spotlights? Florescent light is actually worse than sunlight.

 

[Bruce Papier]

I know this is a strange question in this day and age, but was the photo printed chemically, not digitally? If so, the chemicals used were probably weak and the fading is a result.