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CHROMALIFE 100+
For longer-lasting, more vibrant photo prints
Album Storage Lifespan of up to 300 Years
With ChromaLife 100+ technology, your prints maintain their exceptional color and quality for up to 300 years*.
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ABOUT
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ALBUM LIFE
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LIGHT & GAS
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RESISTANCE
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PRINT QUALITY
ChromaLife 100+ inks and paper produce higher quality, more durable photos
In order to maximize the superb printing ability of the “FINE” print heads, Canon continues to develop ink and paper specifically for PIXMA printers to enhance their performance.
In 2005, ChromaLife 100 launched ― an innovative system that improved the beauty and permanence of printed images with the combination of genuine Canon dye inks and photo paper, and our very own FINE print head technology.
In 2008, further advancements were made with the introduction of new genuine Canon dye inks and photo paper. The new system, ChromaLife 100+, continues to provide longer-lasting and more beautiful photo prints.
Note: ChromaLife 100+ compatible inks include: CLI-251 and CLI-42. ChromaLife 100+ compatible photo papers include: Photo Paper Pro Platinum, Photo Paper Plus Glossy II, Photo Paper Pro Luster and Photo Paper Plus Semi-Gloss.
Up to 300 Years Album Storage Lifespan*
With the combination of genuine Canon dye inks and select genuine Canon photo paper (see Figure 1), our ChromaLife 100+ system can preserve your favorite images for up to 300 years* (when properly stored in an archival-quality album with plastic cover sheet and kept in the dark).
FIG 1. Select genuine Canon photo paper and dye-based inks, plus the FINE print heads, work together to produce superior quality color reproduction and permanence.
CRITERIA FOR ESTIMATION
Each image permanence data of album life, as well as light and gas fastness, are estimated based on each test of Indoor Thermal Stability, Indoor Light Stability and Indoor Ozone Stability, which are set as the “Digital Color Photo Print Stability Evaluation” (JEITA CP-3901) standard issued by JEITA (Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association).
Note for printing and displaying photos:
The image permanence estimates presented above may vary depending on display/storage conditions. The estimated numbers of years are the result of simulated, accelerated tests conducted by Canon Inc. and do not represent a product guarantee.
Making your printed images last longer:
Light, environmental gases, high temperature and humidity can accelerate color fading. When displaying your photographs, avoid high intensity lighting and use glass-filtered frames. Photos stored in the dark, using archival-quality albums or storage materials will tend to last longer than photos that are exposed to light. Avoid high temperatures and high humidity to promote the image permanence of your photos.
ESTIMATION OF PRINT LONGEVITY
Estimates for image permanence are made using the Wilhelm Imaging Research, Inc. endpoint criteria “WIR Visually-Weighted Endpoint Criteria Set v3.0” as follows: samples are printed with an optical density of 1.0 and 0.6 (each black, cyan, magenta, yellow) by the default printer driver settings associated with each media.
Light Fastness for Approximately 50 Years*
The combination of the 2008 new genuine Canon dye inks, FINE print heads, and Photo Paper Plus Glossy II or Photo Paper Pro Platinum photo papers resist color fading for approximately 50 years when displayed in a glass frame in a typical indoor space (estimating 500lux/10 hours per day) without direct sunlight.*
Gas Fastness for Approximately 10 years*
The atmosphere contains mixed gases that cause color fading. Ozone (O3), nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulfur oxide (SOx) must all be considered as factors that affect image permanence.
Gas fastness has been improved with the combination of new genuine Canon dye inks, our FINE print heads and Photo Paper Plus Glossy II or Photo Paper Pro Platinum photo papers. It achieved “gas fastness approximately 20 years” which is no longer than “gas fastness approximately 10 years” with the ChromaLife 100 system.*
CRITERIA FOR ESTIMATION
Light Fastness
Estimated light fastness is made under the following test conditions: light source - white fluorescent light 70,000lux; temperature - 24°C; humidity - 60% RH. A 2-mm thick glass is placed on the sample during accelerated testing.
Gas Fastness
Estimated gas fastness is made under the following test conditions: temperature (24°C) and humidity (60% RH) are controlled in an environment of mixed gases containing O3, NOx and SOx. The ratio of the gases is typical to indoor air composition (O3: NOx: SOx = 3:19:1) with 100 times concentration in order to accelerate color fading.
ESTIMATION OF PRINT LONGEVITY
Estimates for image permanence are made using the Wilhelm Imaging Research, Inc. endpoint criteria “WIR Visually-Weighted Endpoint Criteria Set v3.0” as follows: samples are printed with an optical density of 1.0 and 0.6 (each black, cyan, magenta, yellow) by the default printer driver settings associated with each media.
The point where monochromatic/reflective optical density shows loss of 20-35% (figure set respectively for each color, starting density of 1.0 and 0.6). The point where the difference in color balance of yellow, magenta and cyan (each component in composite black) reaches 12-18%.
Sharp, High-Resolution Images
Migration Resistance
Displaying or storing inkjet photo prints in rooms with high temperatures and humidity can cause ink migration.
The combination of the 2008 new genuine Canon inks, FINE print heads and Photo Paper Plus Glossy II PP-201 or Photo Paper Pro Platinum PT-101 photo papers provide long-lasting, vivid prints with resistance to ink bleeding or migration even in high temperature/humidity environments.*
About humidity resistance:
Each image permanence data of album life, as well as light and gas fastness, are estimated based on each test of Indoor Thermal Stability, Indoor Light Stability and Indoor Ozone Stability, which are set as the “Digital Color Photo Print Stability Evaluation” (JEITA CP-3901) standard issued by JEITA (Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association).
Improved Print Quality
Genuine Canon dye black ink reproduces sharp and dynamic colors in photo prints.
Black ink is a determining factor in the density and contrast of the image as a whole. Neutral black, which does not take on any color, can reproduce sharp and dynamic colors in photo prints (although creating a perfectly colorless, neutral black with inks is extremely difficult). Canon, however, has succeeded in bringing the tone of its genuine Canon dye black ink closer to neutral, and thus improved its visual blackness by combining a variety of dyes.
Photo black is more neutral. The black is deeper and the vivid colors in the photograph stand out.
Black ink is a determining factor in the density and contrast of the image as a whole. Depending on the coloration properties of the black ink, an image can either provide a dynamic three-dimensional feel, or end up giving a flat impression. The dye’s color tone is extremely important to image quality. Creating a perfect, colorless black with inks is extremely difficult; however, it is important to note that black sharpens the photo and brings out its beauty when it does not take on any color.
Making Photo Black Ink More Neutral
Canon has been working on neutralizing the photo black ink and succeeded in bringing the tone closer to neutral, thus improving its visual blackness by combining a variety of dyes.
Fig 1. Displays the black ink tone comparison between conventional inks and the 2008 new genuine Canon dye inks. Test samples with solid black were created. The colors were measured and plotted on a coordinate system with a* and b* as axes. The point closest to the coordinate axes 0 produces more neutral black.
Specifications are subject to change without notice. All viewscreen and printer output images are simulated.
* Based on accelerated testing by Canon in dark storage under controlled temperature, humidity and gas conditions, simulating storage in an album with plastic sleeves. Canon cannot guarantee the longevity of prints; results may vary depending on printed image, drying time, display/storage conditions and environmental factors. See www.usa.canon.com/chromalife100plus for additional details.
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