Fading: the facts

[50s]

Was looking for a UV testing meter to check that any UV filtered plexi I might purchase is indeed as described eg 99% UV protection. If any one is interested, I found these which might be useful.

In my search for such a meter, I was shocked to discover this:


Source


Specifically, I thought if I got some plexi that had the highest filtering, I would virtually arrest any further fading. Fading caused by UV light apparently accounts for only 40% of the causes of fading. Protecting from normal light is also required, which is difficult, as some of us want to be able to see our posters.

From memory the cost of plexi virtually doubles going from 97% to 99% UV filtering. From the chart above, paying that difference seems such a waste now.


There are heaps of websites discussing this. Here are some I found:
Here are 2 case studies:
Ellen Carrlee Conservation 
Ukiyo-e Gallery

Some facts:
Because warm or moist conditions accelerate deterioration, temperature and relative humidity (RH) should not exceed 20C and 60%, respectively. Source
Temperature and humidity fluctuations should be held to less than 10 degrees & 15% respectively. Source

(That last source is a really interesting read).

[brude]

Great info, Steve.
Thanks for the post and the corresponding links!

[Disheveledamethyst]

This is enormously relevant to me...

[Cj]

Wow!!! I truly had no idea about the uselessness of UV filtering. I always thought UV filtering was the way to go...apparently not. Thanks for posting.

[Disheveledamethyst]

So, let me get this straight... The hundred dollar conservation frames I bought are only protecting me from 10% of the fading?

[erik1925]

Thanks for this info, Steve.

One article Steve posted a link to, showed the results of an experiment, using a 19th C, Japanese wood block print, exposed to daylight, over a period of 6 months; it was divided into thirds, with 1/3 behind UV film, 1/3 unprotected and the 1/3 control section covered with foil. The experiment was extreme, as no one would (hopefully) place a print or poster on a wall that receives direct sunlight; the results were still astounding, especially in the assumed belief (by many) that UV plexiglass provides protection against all types of light. The UV-covered section appeared (to the naked eye) just as faded as the unprotected area. The test also used a modern reprint, which showed little effect from the sun's rays during the same length of time.

Translating this to film posters, it would suggest that older posters are more susceptible to noticeable fading, versus newer posters that have been printed on glossy paper with modern inks. But all works on paper are at risk from light, UV or otherwise.

[CSM]

Very interesting...I wonder about UV plexi though?

And for some reason I am not surprised the modern paper showed little to no change...

[erik1925]

Since there is more recent talk about UV protection and how well UV plexi and films work, thought it might be helpful to bump this thread back to the first page. There is some good info here.

[Thomsen]

Yeah, it really ought to be made 'sticky'.

[bigmike]

Even though I agree, the poster should never be in direct sunlight.

But check this out.

Tru Vue Optimum Museum Plexi.

93% UV blocking, 96% light transmission, 2% reflection Optical

Almost $900 a sheet!

[CSM]

Even though I agree, the poster should never be in direct sunlight.

But check this out.

Tru Vue Optimum Museum Plexi.

93% UV blocking, 96% light transmission, 2% reflection Optical

Almost $900 a sheet!

Have fun with that!  Is there really any need unless you are framing a $300,000 poster or $30,000,000 piece of art?

[Tang Lung in Rome]

Bet thats what Jack Nicholson uses....he even has a Picasso or something in the bathroom lol

[CJ138]

"Never waste a hard on and never hold a fart"-Jack Nicholson.