Pira Consulting
Print and Security
Lightfastness testing
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Light fastness, or colour fastness to light, is the resistance of printed or pigmented materials to fading or colour change due to exposure to sunlight or an artificial light source. The lightfastness of print is predominantly governed by the pigment type used. Red and yellow colours can often be problematic. Print exposed to high levels of sunlight such as on posters and compost sacks require a high degree of lightfastness. |
Pira test for print fade and lightfastness of paper, print and pigmented plastics using a Megasol lightfastness tester fitted with a xenon arc lamp source.
Filtered xenon arc lamps simulate UV and visible solar radiation more closely than any other artificial light source. They provide the best method for assessing the accelerated light ageing of products such as pigments, dyes and inks, which are sensitive to the long-wave and visible wavelengths of sunlight.
With appropriate filters fitted, direct sunlight, sunlight through window glass and in-store lighting conditions can be reproduced. A series of Blue Wool standards are included with every set of test samples to ensure that results are reliable and reproducible.
There are many international standards applicable to lightfastness testing, including ISO 105-B02, BS EN 20105-B02, BS EN 4892-2 and ISO 12040.
The Blue Wool standards included with each set of test samples conform to ISO 105-B01, BS EN 20105-B02 and BS 1006.
Related testing
For further information contact
Ray Funnell
T +44 (0)1372 802158
M
F +44 (0)1372 802245