The Effects of Various Adhesives on Dye and Pigment-based Inkjet and Dye Sublimation Prints

Abstract

This study explored the reactivity of various adhesives on dye and pigment inkjet and dye sublimation prints. Consumers have reported adverse experiences including colorant bleed and yellowing in areas that were in contact with mounting adhesives. An accelerated test was conducted to study chemical interactions that might result in colorant fade, colorant bleed, yellowing, adhesive transfer or physical distortions of the digital prints. Fourteen different adhesives were applied to fine art, polymer and microporous photo papers, inkjet-sized and plain document papers, and dye sublimation paper. Images were printed on the photo and document papers using various inkjet printers and on the dye sublimation paper using a dye sublimation printer. The types of adhesives tested included water-based liquids, pressure sensitive tapes, laminating films, self-sticking notes and spray photo-mounting adhesives. The test combinations included prints without adhesives, prints with adhesives kept at room conditions (21°C and 50% RH) and prints with adhesives incubated at 70°C and 50% RH for 84 days as specified by ISO 18932 Imaging materials—Adhesive mounting systems—Specifications. This study provides a better understanding of the vulnerability of inkjet and dye sublimation materials to certain types of adhesives. The results showed colorant bleed, yellowing, adhesive transfer and physical distortions of the digitally printed materials can be caused by some of the adhesives tested in this study.