How long will my ink jet image last if I protect it with a U.V. overlaminate?
Generally speaking, overlaminates with U.V. inhibitors will extend the life of your image by 3-4 times. Dye-based inks, when subjected to high levels of U.V. radiation, can fade in as little as a few days. This means that even with a protective overlaminate, your dye-based image can be damaged in as little as 2 weeks. Pigmented inks last significantly longer than dye-based. Laminated images printed with pigmented inks can expect a six to twelve month outdoor lifespan without experiencing significant U.V. fading.
