ChromaLuxe Achieves Three Times the Print Display Permanence Rating Compared to Silver-Halide Color Papers
Latest generation ChromaLuxe® aluminum sublimation photo panels printed with Epson UltraChrome DS and Sawgrass Photo XF inks achieve Wilhelm Imaging Research, Inc. (WIR) Display Permanence Ratings that are more than three times better than current silver-halide photo papers.
LAS VEGAS - (SGIA EXPO, BOOTH #3031) - ChromaLuxe today announced a major advancement in photographic printing technology, color brilliance, d-max, print longevity, and surface physical durability with a WIR Display Permanence Rating of 65 years for its ChromaLuxe aluminum sublimation photo panels when printed with Epson UltraChrome DS inks, and 64 years when printed with Sawgrass Sublijet-HD Pro Photo XF inks.
Widely recognized as the world's leading independent print permanence testing laboratory, WIR conducted comprehensive, multi-factor print permanence tests on ChromaLuxe. Although the 4-color Epson and 8-color Sawgrass inks have different dye formulations, and distinctly different individual ink fade patterns, both brands of inks proved to be well matched to the latest ChromaLuxe sublimation coating formulations, and both have achieved almost identical WIR Display Permanence Ratings.
With unprecedented resistance to surface abrasion, high humidity, atmospheric ozone, and contact with water, ChromaLuxe prints, available in sizes up to 4x8 feet, can be safely displayed without the need for framing under glass or acrylic, face-mounting, or surface laminating. When displayed, unframed prints made with the latest generation of ChromaLuxe aluminum photo panels are far more stable and longer lasting than Kodak Endura or other current silver-halide papers, including silver-halide prints framed under UV-absorbing acrylic or glass or when face-mounted to UV-absorbing acrylic.
"From the beginning, ChromaLuxe has committed substantial resources to research and development for our sublimation photo panels with the goal of constantly improving the image quality and permanence, d-max, and printing consistency. We are committed to providing the most advanced photographic sublimation print media for the most demanding photographers," said Kristina Lowe, Director of Marketing. "Working with leading sublimation ink suppliers and other industry partners, genuine ChromaLuxe prints now offer photographers an unmatched combination of display permanence, physical surface durability, and color brilliance."
According to Henry Wilhelm, Director of Research at WIR, "Very complex interactions take place between sublimation inks and the ink receptive polymer coatings of dye sublimation prints, both during the short, high-heat image transfer step involved in making the prints and, very gradually over time, during the long-term display and storage of the prints. What a print looks like when it emerges from the heat press tells you nothing at all about how long it will last. You can consider permanence – or the lack thereof – to be the invisible factor in sublimation printing."
"In terms of how long your prints will last, sublimation on metal photo panels is a new and rapidly advancing technology, and all aluminum photo panels – frequently referred to in the marketplace simply as 'Metal Prints' – are by no means the same," Wilhelm said. "If your lab is using untested products, both you and your customers are flying blind."Â Â Â
About ChromaLuxe
ChromaLuxe is the global manufacturer of premium print media, supplying high quality blank substrates for a variety of applications that require superb image quality and durability. All coatings and substrates are made in the USA with manufacturing and fabrication done in Louisville, KY. With additional locations in Belgium and Australia, ChromaLuxe serves its global customer base and provides products to more than 80 countries.
To learn more about ChromaLuxe, please visit: ChromaLuxe.com. Connect with ChromaLuxe on Facebook (facebook.com/realchromaluxe), Instagram (instagram.com/realchromaluxe) and Twitter (twitter.com/realChromaLuxe).
Contact:
Alesha Yaney
ChromaLuxe
502-855-3227
