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Techniques for CollectorsArchiving ink - fade test results

9th Dec 2023 12:28 UTCPeter Nancarrow 🌟 Expert

Here are the results of a 10-year+ fade test to see which ink i wanted to use for mineral labels, writing numbers on specimens, etc. The paper was left on a south-facing windowsill (in England) from July 2012 until summer this year.

As you can see, standard ballpoints such as Bic Biro, Parker and Pentel ball pen, or Pentel "liquid gel" were totally unsuitable for this - HB pencil would be better! Staedler "Lumocolour", Edding 8400 CD marker and Sharpie Permanent Marker were good at fade resistance, but unsuitable for fine-line text.

A few others were moderate to good, but this test has confirmed my original choice to use Rotring ink, either in the "Tikki-graphic" pens for general use (e.g. large labels), or in an "Isograph" pen (as in the "Rotring Drawing Ink" line) for fine work such as micromount labels and map annotations.

I have been using these for some time anyway, as they have a pigmented ink recommended as suitable for archiving purposes, but I ran this test out of curiosity, and with a view to publishing the results in due course, so here you have it; I hope some will find this useful.

9th Dec 2023 13:10 UTCFranz Bernhard Expert

Very nice and educative, thank you!
Franz Bernhard

9th Dec 2023 13:59 UTCFrank de Wit Manager

Interesting test, thanks Peter.

For my labels, I use "Sakura Japan - pigma micron archival ink pens"

They come in a number of thick/thinnesses of which I use the 003 (0,15 mm) and 02 (0,30 mm) versions

(edit) more via https://www.jetpens.com/blog/Sakura-Pigma-Micron-Pens-A-Comprehensive-Guide/pt/932

11th Dec 2023 10:02 UTCElisabeth Collins

Thank you for your patience and dedication! Making me rethink my ‘archival ink’ choice (prior to labeling thank goodness!).

11th Dec 2023 18:22 UTCMartin Rich Expert

Acid free paper should also used to prevent decomposition.