Judy, This is the time factor estimated until color shifting takes place. Usually the magenta is the first color to go. These estimates must be taken with a 'grain of salt' because they're obtained under artificial conditions. We've been through this over and over here and many have come to a common sense position. If you're using good archival inks on acid free paper and you have tested your images for a reasonable period of time without seeing any fading, there's a good chance you'll be sending images out into the world with a reasonable chance to live at least as long as a conventional photo. No guarantees, though. Only 'real' time will tell. Michael > ** Original Message follows... > > On Mon, 29 Jan 2001 Sdmey4@aol.com wrote: > > MIS has been making Archival pigments for the Epson 3000 for some time. They > > are rated at 49 years from RIT. > > http://missupply.com I believe. > > I'm wondering if anyone can elaborate a bit on the meaning of, for > instance, "49 years." Is that time until shift or fade is perceptible, or > close to destruction, or ....? > > Judy > > ............................................................................. > Judy Seigel, Editor > World Journal of Post-Factory Photography ===== "HOW-TO and WHY" > <http://rmp.opusis.com/postfactory/postfactory.html> M e t r o P h o t o g r a p h i c Specializing in Portrait Design and Digital Photo Restoration - Turn off HTML mail features. Keep quoted material short. Use accurate subject lines. http://www.leben.com/lists for list instructions.