Artwork: Fade Resistance

D_Harris

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After doing a lot of searching and asking around, from what I can tell, as far as fade resistance, no one seems to be able say whether back-lit films, Duratrans, or the inks of today are better or worse than the original screen printed artwork on these games. So therefore no one can yet claim that theirs is more fade resistant than another without at least offering some evidence.

Perhaps in 20 or 30 years we'll know. But unless someone takes samples of artwork made via the various printing methods and stores them outside in sunlight for a long enough period of time, for all intents and purposes it doesn't really appear to matter unless you get one of the really cheap inkjet prints.

So it comes down to what looks the best, and that may be very subjective.

Anyway, I'd appreciate any feedback and opinions.

Thanks.

Darren Harris
Staten Island,New York.
 
Inkjet vs screen print

I would think a good high end ink with a UV or protective coating will last just about as long. The key is who prints it and is it near sunlight. Sunlight can bleach anything. Most games are being used in a basement. The inks of today are not the same as 15 years ago.

I would like to hear from Rich at this old game.

Michael
 
I would think a good high end ink with a UV or protective coating will last just about as long. The key is who prints it and is it near sunlight. Sunlight can bleach anything. Most games are being used in a basement. The inks of today are not the same as 15 years ago.

I would like to hear from Rich at this old game.

Michael

Yeah I know. It seems that the inks of today are fade resistant enough not to be an issue, even when compared to the screen print inks used on these game marquees in the 80s.

So the real issue to consider may be deciding if one wants a repro to look as much like the original as possible. Or perhaps the repros with the newer inks actually look better to many and it makes no difference.

If there was a polling option I'd list the choices as backlit film, quality inkjet, or screen printed artwork?

P.S.: I'm wondering if that Duratran that EMDkay uses a form of backlit film?

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.
 
not really sure I understand the ?
:confused:

since the materials and inks of today (inkjet) were not used BITD
and you cant really compare the 2 since even screened stuff fades over time

Only time will tell really and how and where you store and locate your games is key.
If you have something inkjetted on even the very best say in a window of a laudry mat that MsPac pink is still going to fade just as fast regardless.
I think the max Mfg recomended is about 5years on most of the better stuff
But thats outside exposed to the elements.

For a collector restoring a game for his collection inside a nice coozy dark basement arcade
Id be willing to bet even the cheapest inkjet will hold up pretty darn good.
 
not really sure I understand the ?
:confused:

since the materials and inks of today (inkjet) were not used BITD
and you cant really compare the 2 since even screened stuff fades over time

Only time will tell really and how and where you store and locate your games is key.
If you have something inkjetted on even the very best say in a window of a laudry mat that MsPac pink is still going to fade just as fast regardless.
I think the max Mfg recomended is about 5years on most of the better stuff
But thats outside exposed to the elements.

For a collector restoring a game for his collection inside a nice coozy dark basement arcade
Id be willing to bet even the cheapest inkjet will hold up pretty darn good.

Yes. That is what I'm saying. (But I'd still go with a quality inkjet as opposed to the "cheapest inkjet").

And another thing. If the artwork is to be detailed and have many graduations of shading, then screen printing won't cut it. That's why all the original artwork from the "Golden Age" of video games are basically simple cartoon art.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.
 
Last edited:
correct
and if there was a lot of detail as things progresses take Journey, spy Hunter, etc
things got more complicated and they went with offset printing which didnt last as long
and didnt look as good.

Thats where having a good quailty inkjet of something like those today betters. IMO
 
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