Inkjet print storage: buffered or unbuffered enclosures?

[Oren Grad]

As I'm sure many here are aware, carbonate-buffered acid-free paper envelopes and other storage materials that are typically used for long-term storage of B&W silver prints are not recommended for use with dye transfer or chromogenic prints.

Can anyone point to a reference that discusses whether this also applies to pigment inkjet prints? I'd imagine not, precisely because the image is made of pigment rather than dye. But it would be nice to have information from a reliable source to confirm this.

[Don Wilkes]

I'd be inclined to look at Henry Wilhelm's website [http://www.wilhelm-research.com/], although it's become so vast that it's a bit daunting to go rummaging...

[Oren Grad]

Been there, done that.

The website is pretty hopeless. I do have Wilhelm's book, which has a detailed and somewhat skeptical discussion on the use of buffered storage materials generally. But this question isn't addressed. No surprise there - the book came out well before the big shift to inkjet for color printing.

[Bruce Watson]

As I'm sure many here are aware, carbonate-buffered acid-free paper envelopes and other storage materials that are typically used for long-term storage of B&W silver prints are not recommended for use with dye transfer or chromogenic prints.

Can anyone point to a reference that discusses whether this also applies to pigment inkjet prints? I'd imagine not, precisely because the image is made of pigment rather than dye. But it would be nice to have information from a reliable source to confirm this.

It's not the pigment, which is highly stable across a wide range of conditions. It's the paper the pigment is attached to. Fine art papers for inkjet prints tend to be unbuffered acid free cotton. They can soak up atmospheric pollution like a sponge, which in turn drives them acidic, which in turn starts the decay process.

I always use buffered boards with inket prints - both a backer board and a window matte. If I stored prints in any kind of a paper sleeve I would use a buffered archival paper for that duty as well. What I use instead is an archival clear plastic sleeve in a portfolio case. Can't remember which plastic they used though. Getting too old I guess

[Oren Grad]

It's not the pigment, which is highly stable across a wide range of conditions.

I understand the benefits for the paper base. The question is whether the pigment image itself is OK with the buffer; dye-based images evidently are not. I imagine the answer is yes, but I'd be happier if I could find a specialist in this area who has specifically addressed the question.

[Ted Harris]

Oren, if you want a definitive answer (if there is such a thing) try calling a conservator at the Boston MFA.

[jim kitchen]

Dear Oren,

You might start here... <http://www.superiorarchivalmats.com/sam/Article.html>

I also use Clearbags for storage, located here: <http://www.clearbags.com/>

jim k

[Oren Grad]

Thanks, Jim. I'm familiar with the ArtCare materials and with Michael Smith's article, which, however, doesn't address my question. "ClearBags" is new to me - thanks for the tip.

Ted: I've launched an inquiry at the MFA - we'll see whether it goes anywhere.

[jim kitchen]

Dear Oren,

Well, you might try this site too... http://www.imagepermanenceinstitute....ub/srv_pat.asp

jim k

[Oren Grad]

Fast forward...

HP responded via email that buffered storage enclosures are OK.

A conservator at the Boston MFA with whom I exchaged a couple of rounds of email essentially said that the answer to my question is not known.