Will Ink Fade In A Closed Notebook Stored Under Proper Conditions?

[KBeezie]

Depends on the ink and paper, especially if the paper isn't "acid-free". Some of the inks that are waterproof are not lightfast, R&K Salix (iron gall) for example is waterproof but it will fade under direct sunlight in as little as 6 months, but when do you normally have your notebook open under the sun for that long?

 

Any of the Noodler's inks on this list listed as "eternal" won't fade under UV exposure. http://noodlersink.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/103012_noodlers-ink-properties.pdf (most fully bulletproof inks are also fully eternal).

 

If you have acid free journals, inks that are not really acidic or alkaline, and kept in a cool dry place out of light, I'd say a vast majority are going to survive easily for multiple decades.

Edited November 30, 2014 by KBeezie

[amberleadavis]

Sorry KBreezie - some inks just fade even on acid free and lignin free paper. See those pictures that Tanzanite posted. I have notebooks that the ball point faded from.

[Renfield]

Use whatever ink you want!

 

 

If you write something important enough then the people from "The Scannon18 Historical Society" will find a way to preserve it

 

I write for me, for me to enjoy. If someone else wants to read it after I am gone, well they have to work for my knowledge

[Bookman]

Hi,

 

Please be aware some Members reported instances of fading with the Waterman Mysterious Blue (née Blue-Black), so personally I'd choose a different ink of a similar hue and performance profile.* As there was/is speculation that Parker Quink BlBk is very similar to Waterman BlBk, and is made by the same parent Co., such caution might extend to that ink as well.

 

As Washable inks are inherently unstable, I would steer clear of those such as Lamy Blue, Waterman Serenity, Pelikan 4001 Royal Blue, etc. That's not to say that they might not last a long time when they're on suitable paper stored under good conditions - they're just more sensitive to poor paper and/or poor storage conditions.

 

As for the matter of paper, the USA Library of Congress published 'The Deterioration and Preservation of Paper: Some Essential Facts', which amongst other things, answers the question "Why is 500-year old paper often in better condition than paper from 50 years ago?" http://www.loc.gov/preservation/care/deterioratebrochure.html

 

Bye,

S1

 

__ __

* Post № 4 https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/219611-waterman-mysterious-blue/?p=2319868

 

Thank you for the l.o.c. link. Apart from paper composition and storage issues, unfortunately, our referents for the longevity of writings involve ink formulas that aren't made anymore. Modern inks haven't been around long enough to provide convincing examples for permanence. (I don't know how long an ink has to remain fade-free on the page to convince me of its "permanence," but it's closer to 100 years than 20 or 30.) Meanwhile, we use good quality paper, avoid inks known to fade, store our writings in a cool, dark, dry place, and cross our fingers.

[Renfield]

Has a fade test be done on ballpoints? Would be interesting to see how they cope compared to real ink

[KBeezie]

Sorry KBreezie - some inks just fade even on acid free and lignin free paper. See those pictures that Tanzanite posted. I have notebooks that the ball point faded from.

It's KBeezie, there is no 'r' in it.

[inkstainedruth]

I've had Quink Washable Blue fade almost to the point of illegibility in a couple of months in a closed journal where the ink didn't run all the way to the edges of the page.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[SUNIL GARG]

I have hundreds of pages in Chelpark ink from India done between 1980 to 2005 in shades turquoise blue, Emerald Green & Black, all on cheap to medium quality paper . Hardly any difference bbetween the one done in say 1990 & the one done in 2005 .

 

Mind Chelpark inks still cost just 25¢ (quarter dollar U.S.) for a bottle bottle of 50 ml.

Chelpark used to to make inks for Parker long times ago with Solv-X .

Now it's only Chelpark.

[Sandy1]

 

Thank you for the l.o.c. link. Apart from paper composition and storage issues, unfortunately, our referents for the longevity of writings involve ink formulas that aren't made anymore. Modern inks haven't been around long enough to provide convincing examples for permanence. (I don't know how long an ink has to remain fade-free on the page to convince me of its "permanence," but it's closer to 100 years than 20 or 30.) Meanwhile, we use good quality paper, avoid inks known to fade, store our writings in a cool, dark, dry place, and cross our fingers.

 

Hi,

 

You're welcome!

 

I very much agree that we are attempting to chart our future course by looking at where we've been: what worked and what didn't.

 

Now that we have ISO compliant 'permanent' FP inks and 'archival' paper in the market, FP users can move ahead with greater confidence, but who really wants to be restricted to those products? (For the rare times that I want an enduring document an I-G ink and a 100% cotton paper are invited to the party.)

 

In harmony with Member Renfield, (Post № 23), I reckon the most important part of having an archival document is to have an Archivist - someone designated to watch over such documents, so in the event of deterioration they can be recovered.

 

Also, as digital imaging and cloud storage are commonly available, one can readily snap photos of the day's writing then upload those files, hence achieve conversion to a permanent media and placement in off-site storage. But how does one convey the password to The Scannon18 Historical Society?

 

Bye,

S1

Edited December 1, 2014 by Sandy1

[knarflj]

 

That is actually really disappointing to here, I love this ink. Do you know if the paper you wrote them on might have something to do with the fading?

 

Sorry, I have no idea. I agree that it's a lovely ink, and a shame it doesn't stick around longer.