WHAT MAKES A PRINT ARCHIVAL?

NOT ALL PRINTS ARE CREATED EQUAL.

PIGMENT-BASED INKS

In the world of fine art photography, the term “archival” signals more than quality, it signals longevity. But what exactly makes a print archival?

At its core, archival printing is about resisting time. It is the union of materials and methods designed to preserve art and photographs for generations, without fading, yellowing, or degradation.

THREE ELEMENTS DEFINE ARCHIVAL QUALITY:

PIGMENT-BASED INKS

Unlike dye inks, which are prone to fading, pigment inks use finely ground particles that sit atop the paper fibers.

These particles are more lightfast and chemically stable, giving prints exceptional resistance to UV exposure and environmental shifts.

HAHNEMÜHLE ARCHIVAL PAPERS

Archival papers, like Hahnemühle’s Fine Art papers, are acid-free and lignin-free, made from high-quality materials. They offer both stability and a natural texture that supports pigment adhesion and color depth over time.

CONTROLLED PRINT CONDITIONS

From soft-proofing and calibrated monitors to clean print environments and verified ICC profiles, the print process must be tightly managed. Archival quality is not just in the ink and paper, it’s in the precision of the craft.