October 15, 2007...7:33 pm
Why I’m Stuck on Archivalability
Before I start this article, let me first clarify a few things. The term “archival” typically means that the materials (in this case, a photo), will last at least 100 years, if not more, before the first noticeable fading occurs. In modern photographic printing, there are basically 3 avenues here.
The first is traditional darkroom processes using long chemical processes (sometimes more than a couple hours) to create an archival print - these are often referred to as gelatin silver print (black and white) or cibachrome (color). Secondly, there is the “lab print” and for the sake of a short discussion on archivalability, it doesn’t matter if that lab is the drug store or a pro lab - machine prints do not generally carry an archival rating, and will generally last between 20 and 60 years. The third method is the “Giclée” print (aka archival inkjet, pigment inkjet, etc.) and this is a very high end inkjet print using archival inks and papers (and my preferred method for digital printing). For what is probably more information than you’d ever want or need, the official house of testing for archival ratings is Wilhelm Imaging Research.
Now what was I going to write about? Oh yeah…
As I grew up in my parent’s house, I was surrounded by art. Almost every wall in the house had something on it, usually an oil painting or some sort of print. There wasn’t anything by any world renowned artists, but my father especially always kept his eyes open looking for another piece.
The point is though, that I grew up with that art. Those pieces are very important to me now, they are relics of my childhood. Most importantly, they formed the groundwork for my art appreciation as an adult.
This is why everything that I produce for my fine art prints is made with archival materials and processes. This is also why I make sure to offer my portraiture clients a premium printing option for archival level prints. The art you buy is a reflection of who you are and sets the tone of your home. After we pass, art is one of the few things that our heirs can use to create the same mood in their own home, in homage of us.
Looking at this a different way… let’s say that you’re 40 years old and considering between two photos that you feel equally about. One is $50 more than the other, and is also an archival print. You might say to yourself that the $50 isn’t worth it because chances are that by the time the non-archival print begins to antique, you won’t be able to see it. But what about your heirs? This is not to be so presumptuous as to assume that my photos will some day be worth 10’s of thousands of dollars (though I promise not to complain if they do), but from an emotional value, your heirs will likely be disappointed that the non-archival print doesn’t last their lifetime.
So to the point, the title, the topic, of this article: Why I’m stuck on archivalability. It is quite simply because I value your decision to purchase my work as much as you do, and for just a little more trouble, I can make sure that your decision reaps benefits for you for many years to come, and for your heirs.
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