Most artists prioritize paper, canvas, or color accuracy when printing their work. Those aspects matter. A great deal. But one of the biggest factors in print quality involves ink. Archival inks are the foundation of a print that lasts, and they do more heavy lifting than most people realize. Here’s why we use them for every print we produce.
Why We Use Archival Inks for Giclée Prints
Long-Term Fade Resistance
Not all inks are created equal. Standard dye-based inks can appear vibrant initially, but they are more susceptible to light exposure and environmental changes. Over time, colors may shift or fade.
Archival inks use pigment-based technology. Rather than dissolving into the paper like dyes, the pigments rest on the surface as tiny, stable particles. The result is far greater resistance to UV light, humidity, and airborne pollutants.
When paired with acid-free paper or canvas, archival inks help prints retain their color and detail for generations. Their long-term stability gives artists and collectors peace of mind.
Greater Color Stability Over Time
Archival inks do more than last longer. They help preserve the artwork’s appearance over time.
Lower-quality inks often fade unevenly, causing certain colors to fade faster than others. A blue sky can gradually shift toward gray, and warm tones may cool over time. Gradual changes like these affect the overall integrity of the original piece.
With archival pigment inks, color balance remains far more consistent over time. Shadows remain rich, highlights stay clean, and subtle transitions retain their depth. The print you approve today will look the same decades from now.
Professional and Museum Standards
Museums, galleries, and serious collectors expect archival materials. Using pigment-based inks directly supports that expectation because they are formulated to resist fading and preserve color accuracy over time.
In professional settings, the term archival carries a specific and measurable meaning. It refers to durability verified through controlled testing; it’s not just a marketing claim. Industry standards evaluate how well prints withstand light exposure, humidity, and other environmental factors over extended periods.
Under proper display conditions, prints made with archival inks and acid-free substrates can last 100 to 200 years or more without significant fading. A lifespan of that length protects both the artwork itself and the artist’s reputation well into the future.
We produce all of our giclée prints on Epson professional printers using the latest Ultrachrome archival pigment inks, a system known for long-term stability and consistent color performance. Our equipment choice reflects a commitment to meeting the same archival standards trusted by museums and collectors.
Better Surface Interaction with Fine Art Papers
Archival pigment inks perform exceptionally well on 100% cotton, acid-free papers. These fine art papers hold pigment particles firmly in place, resulting in sharp detail and smooth tonal transitions. It’s a combination that produces rich blacks, accurate midtones, and clean highlights while preserving the paper’s natural texture.
Because the ink remains stable on the surface, we can reproduce brushstrokes and fine photographic detail without flattening or softening the original work. This kind of accuracy gives artists confidence that the print reflects what they originally created.
At Grand River Giclée, we intentionally pair archival inks with museum-grade papers so each print reflects the original artwork as faithfully as possible.
Final Thoughts
Archival inks may not be visible to the eye, but their impact is clear because they protect color, preserve detail, and help a print stand the test of time. When you trust us with your artwork, we approach it with longevity in mind. This is why we use archival pigment inks for every project we produce–so you can place your next order with full confidence. Your artwork deserves nothing less.
If you have questions about the materials we use or would like to place an order of your artwork, contact Grand River Giclée today.