An evaluation of the humidity test method ISO 18946

Humidity sensitivity is one of the potential degradation routes of digitally printed images. An ISO Working Group has been developing a test method for this sensitivity that is presently being published as ISO 18946. This work describes some practical experience in using the test method together with a treatment of errors from the results.

The paper first reviews some previously published work in this field as background to the development of this standard. It will then go on to illustrate some practical experience of the use of this method to test humidity sensitivity in a number of print / media combinations.

The paper gives details of the changes that result from humidity sensitivity of a number of print and media combinations, predominantly from inkjet printing. Combinations utilising a number of dye and pigment based inkjet inks and media types are used to illustrate the work. This paper also compares and contrasts the results from the different test conditions described in ISO 18946 and the differences in humidity sensitivity of various areas of the proposed test target. The results are presented in both colorimetric (numeric) terms and as photomicrographs.

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