ISO/TS 21139-1:2019

TECHNICAL ISO/TS
SPECIFICATION 21139-1
First edition
2019-08
Permanence and durability of
commercial prints —
Part 1:
Definition of use profiles and guiding
principles for specifications
Permanence et durabilité des impressions commerciales —
Partie 1: Définition des profils d'utilisation et des principes directeurs
pour les spécifications
Reference number
ISO/TS 21139-1:2019(E)
©
ISO 2019

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ISO/TS 21139-1:2019(E)

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© ISO 2019
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
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ISO/TS 21139-1:2019(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 Guiding principles . 4
4.1 Image stability in view of use profiles . 4
4.2 Stresses in use profiles . 5
4.3 Retained print quality in use profiles . 5
4.4 Measurements of colour changes . 6
4.4.1 Colour fading . 6
4.4.2 Colour bleeding . 7
4.5 Other evaluations . 7
5 Definition of use profiles based on stresses . 7
5.1 General . 7
5.2 Daylight and its variations as source of illumination in indoor and outdoor display. 9
5.3 Use profiles for indoor display of printed matter .10
5.4 Use profiles for outdoor display of printed matter.13
5.5 Use profiles with mechanical and chemical stress factors .13
5.6 Examples of use profiles for product and usage classes .14
6 Test methods .17
6.1 General .17
6.2 Limitations of predictive testing .17
6.3 Dependence of image permanence test results of printing technology .18
7 Reporting of changes .19
7.1 Reporting at fixed load .19
7.2 Reporting until certain change is reached .20
7.3 Blue wool scale and visual grey scale reporting .21
7.4 Communication of results .22
8 How to define a permanence/durability test suite for a use profile .23
8.1 General .23
8.2 Define use profile .23
8.3 Select test methods and procedure .23
8.4 Measurement and analysis of test results .24
8.5 Communication of image permanence results .24
Annex A (informative) Examples of indoor display use profiles .25
Annex B (informative) Test Targets .31
Annex C (informative) Product classes defined by ISO/TR 19300 .33
Annex D (informative) Estimation of stress levels .34
Annex E (informative) Example of test results .41
Annex F (informative) Examples of failure modes .45
th
Annex G (informative) Calculation of 95 percentile .49
Bibliography .52
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ISO/TS 21139-1:2019(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following
URL: www .iso .org/iso/foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 42, Photography.
A list of all parts in the ISO/TS 21139 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/members .html.
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ISO/TS 21139-1:2019(E)

Introduction
This Technical Specification ISO/TS 21139 (all parts) defines use profiles and test methods for
permanence and durability testing of printed matter for use in the context of commercial applications,
which resemble a wide range of product and usage classes (see e.g. ISO/TR 19300). Product classes
included are commercial production prints (flyers, brochures), transactional and stationary prints,
signage, newspapers and periodical prints, book printing as well as packaging printing. These
commercial prints often contain combinations of text, pictorial images and/or artwork. Prints for
non-commercial use, including prints used and displayed in consumer home environments and prints
exhibited or stored in museum context, are outside the scope of this document.
A use profile describes typical environmental and other stresses characteristic for the conditions
under which a printed sheet or object is typically used. Also certain (implicit) expectations for retained
print properties under these conditions may be connected to a particular use profile. These need to
be explicated and linked to observed failure modes and assessed as measureable changes of image
parameters, including the various dimensions of image quality and physical integrity of the print.
For permanence testing either single or combined stress factors are applied in accelerated laboratory
tests that aim to simulate the degradation observed in field use. ISO/TS 21139 (all parts) defines test
methods that are appropriate to simulate exposure in use profiles of printed matter in a variety of
uses. Furthermore, requirements for reporting of permanence test results are given as guidance for
translation of test results into use profile performance, also addressing limitations of “year calculations”
due to restrictions of accelerated testing and variability in actual display conditions.
In the context of service life testing of identification cards defined in ISO 24789-1 and ISO 24789-2, a
matrix of stresses and evaluations has been defined to simulate various application profiles of such
plastic cards. ISO/TS 21139 (all parts) may be developed in an analogous way in a future revision.
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION ISO/TS 21139-1:2019(E)
Permanence and durability of commercial prints —
Part 1:
Definition of use profiles and guiding principles for
specifications
1 Scope
This document defines use profiles for commercial prints in terms of typical environmental stress
factors and any mechanical and chemical stress factors to be considered additionally in their application.
Methods and principles defined in this document apply to the various product classes of “commercial
prints” that, following the terminology of ISO/TS 19300, include commercial production prints (flyers,
brochures), transactional and stationary prints, signage, newspapers and periodical prints, book
printing as well as packaging printing. These commercial prints often contain combinations of text,
pictorial images and/or artwork. Prints for non-commercial use, including prints use and display in
consumer home environments and prints exhibited or stored in museum context, are outside the scope
of this document.
For each use profile a set of suitable accelerated test methods for the leading environmental and/
or mechanical or chemical stress factors is defined for representative testing. Guidance is given
for translation of test results into suitable image permanence performance claims considering the
variability of actual use in comparison to reference use profiles.
The test methods and guiding principle described in this document apply to both, analogue and digitally
printed matter, and the corresponding test targets from the ISO 12647 series are used. Methods and
principles apply to both colour and monochrome prints.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 5-4, Photography and graphic technology — Density measurements — Part 4: Geometric conditions for
reflection density
ISO 2836, Graphic technology — Prints and printing inks — Assessment of resistance of prints to
various agents
ISO 5626, Paper — Determination of folding endurance
ISO 12647-7, Graphic technology — Process control for the production of halftone colour separations, proof
and production prints — Part 7: Proofing processes working directly from digital data
ISO 12647-8, Graphic technology — Process control for the production of half-tone colour separations,
proof and production prints — Part 8: Validation print processes working directly from digital data
ISO 13655, Graphic technology — Spectral measurement and colorimetric computation for graphic
arts images
ISO 18930, Imaging materials — Pictorial colour reflection prints — Methods for evaluating image stability
under outdoor conditions
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ISO/TS 21139-1:2019(E)

ISO 18936, Imaging materials — Processed colour photographs — Methods for measuring thermal stability
ISO 18937, Imaging materials — Photographic reflection prints — Methods for measuring indoor light
stability
ISO 18941, Imaging materials — Colour reflection prints — Test method for ozone gas fading stability
ISO 18946, Imaging materials — Reflection colour photographic prints — Method for testing humidity
fastness
ISO 18947, Imaging materials — Photographic reflection prints — Determination of abrasion resistance of
photographic images
ISO 18948, Imaging materials — Photo books — Test methods for permanence and durability
IEC 60068-2-30, Environmental testing — Part 2-30: Tests — Test Db: Damp heat, cyclic (12 + 12 h cycle)
IEC 60068-2-38, Environmental testing — Part 2-38: Tests — Test Z/AD: Composite temperature/humidity
cyclic test
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http: //www .iso .org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http: //www .electropedia .org/
3.1
application profile
set of parameters that, in total, define the conditions of use specified for an application
[SOURCE: ISO 24789-1:2012, 3.1.2]
3.2
use profile
total set of environmental, mechanical and/or chemical conditions to which a printed product is subject
to during a particular use
3.3
stress factor
element of the environmental, mechanical and/or chemical conditions to which a printed product is
exposed
Note 1 to entry: A particular combination of stress factors defines a particular use case and material degradation
results from the complex interaction between the processes triggered by the presence of stress factors.
Note 2 to entry: Leading environmental stress factor include light, heat, humidity, and air pollution. Examples of
mechanical stress factors are scratching, abrasion, bending, flexing, folding, tearing, and pressure. Example of a
chemical stress factor is the contact to a liquid, including water, solvent, sweat, oils and detergents.
3.4
test target
set of colour patches or line elements based on which a change in image quality attributes can be
evaluated
EXAMPLE The print control strips described in ISO 12647-8.
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ISO/TS 21139-1:2019(E)

3.5
endpoint
defined measurable densitometric, colorimetric, or physical change in a print parameter used to define
the point at which a print is no longer usable or acceptable in a particular application
Note 1 to entry: not to be confused with end of test, defined as the point at which a test is terminated after a pre-
defined level of physical or chemical stressor has been applied or after an accumulated exposures of the stresses
which is determined based on the assumption of the exposure level of the use or the required level of longevity
for the product. For example, if the product is expected to be used for 10 years under 250 lx-12 h light level, the
test duration in lux-hours should be 250 lx × 12 h per day × 365 days per year × 10 years. A safety factor can be
applied to accommodate any experimental errors that may exist.
Note 2 to entry: Limit can for example represent the just visible change or the acceptability of an articulate
change in view of the specifications of the use profile.
3.6
permanence
ability to remain chemically and physically stable over long periods of time
3.7
durability
resistance of an image print to physical, mechanical, chemical and/or environmental
stresses in conditions of use, until the end of useful life
Note 1 to entry: In some cases, these stresses can be controlled by the user, like frequency and mode of handling
resulting in abrasion of scuff marks. In other cases, stresses are eventually out of control of the user, including
strain caused by dimensional changes of the print material arising from repeated humidity and/or thermal
cycling in the course of day/night transitions. Other stresses with limited control are exposure to UV and/or
reactive airborne pollutants. Those stresses may attack the physical integrity of the material(s) that constitute
the printed sheet or object, manifesting themselves for example as cracking, blistering, delamination or
brittleness of layers.
3.8
digital print
print where the image is printed directly from the digital domain
Note 1 to entry: Digital printing is a process for text and image reproduction with a colour marker on a medium
using a marking device, on which the marking information is generated from digital data directly to the medium.
It differs from traditional ink-based printing on which the marking information is generated from a form
produced offline prior to imaging on the medium.
Note 2 to entry: Offset printing in its various form as defined in ISO 12647 series is mostly still categorized as
“analog printing” even though data stem from digital domain like in case of computer-to-plate systems.
[SOURCE: ISO 18913:2012, 3.52, modified — The word "directly" was added in the definition, Note 1 to
entry has changed and Note 2 to entry was added.]
3.9
digital printing system
system that prints one unique iteration at a time for either variable data or classical printing applications
including but not limited to electrophotographic and ink jet marking engines
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 15311-2:2018, 3.1]
3.10
transflective print
print on a translucent support that is designed to partially transmit and reflect light, so that print
can be viewed both in reflection by means of front illumination or in transmission by means of back
illumination
Note 1 to entry: Front and back illumination may be present at the same moment in time.
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3.11
product and usage class
category that combines graphic products that have been developed for the same marketing purpose
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 19300:2015, 2.4, modified — The term "use case" was replaced by" product and usage
class”.]
3.12
book printing
printing of books and publishing of monographs (reference books, photo-books, comic, paperback,
textbooks and directories)
3.13
commercial printing
printing for graphic products for commercial applications such as catalogue, advertisement (flyer,
pamphlet, leaflet, direct marketing, free magazines) and other (manuals)
3.14
newspaper and periodical printing
printing for graphic products for newspaper (colour, black and white) and periodical magazines
(monthly, weekly)
3.15
package printing
printing for graphic products for packages, including rigid and flexible packaging, such as beverage
carton, cardboard container, corrugated box, label, sticker, snack and retort pouch
3.16
sign printing
printing for graphic products for indoor or outdoor display (poster, banner, textile, billboard and
wrapping decoration)
3.17
transactional and stationary printing
printing for graphic products for direct mail (direct marketing) and advertisement (flyer, pamphlet,
leaflet, free magazine)
4 Guiding principles
4.1 Image stability in view of use profiles
The image permanence and print durability performance of printed sheets and objects depend on two
aspects:
a) the kind of level of stresses, which the printed matter undergoes in intended use, and
b) the user expectations on retention of properties. This can often be a matter of dispute when these
are not defined in advance.
A use profile for printed matter is thus defined by two aspects, namely
— a set of stresses present in the intended use of the printed product that may result in degradation of
the printed image or loss of physical integrity of the printed matter, and
— a certain level of retained image quality and print integrity that is expected to assure intended use.
Examples of use profiles include various types of display situations and/or handling stresses in printed
product, including printing products for signage, packaging, newspapers, periodicals, trade books,
business forms, flyers, and direct mailings.
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4.2 Stresses in use profiles
Typical stresses in use profiles can arise from general environmental conditions of display and storage
and/or the presence of particular mechanical and/or chemical stress factors typical for a particular use
of printed matter. Leading environmental stress factor include light, heat, humidity, and air pollution.
Examples of chemical and mechanical stress factors are scratching, abrasion, bending, flexing, folding,
tearing, and pressure as well as eventual exposure to liquids (water, solvent, sweat, oils, detergents, etc.).
In use profiles often combinations of aforementioned stress factors may be present, also including
diurnal changes resulting in additional stress fatigue by periodic thermal or moisture related expansion
and contraction of layers. Examples of combined stresses are outdoor weathering, wet abrasion and
blocking, where the latter is caused by combined effect of pressure and moisture at ambient or elevated
temperature. Display use profiles represent a set of environmental stress factors that apply for many
product classes.
The actual levels of the various stress factors may span a continuous range, in which suitable
“reference points” shall be defined for ease of communication. For guidance, the 95 % percentile
values of environmental stress factors, such as temperature, humidity, light intensity or airborne
[27]
ozone concentration levels, are regarded as reasonable worst case and should therefore be chosen
as meaningful reference points. One hour averages of environmental parameters are appropriate for
characterizing the 95 percentile in cyclic conditions, one day (24 h) averages are suitable to characterize
static conditions. See Annex G for calculation of the 95 percentile. In case of altered conditions, e.g.
presence of HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) installations in a building or (partial)
protection against one of the environmental factors, appropriate other levels are defined.
NOTE In outdoor weathering, e.g., environmental stresses vary due to climate, orientation and inclination
of the displayed images, but also just due to seasonal or year-to-year variations of weather. Comparison with
exposure to reference climates is recommended.
4.3 Retained print quality in use profiles
Image permanence refers to both retention of certain image quality attributes as well as retention of
[28]
physical integrity of the print . Examples of attributes representative for real world failure of printed
matter include the following changes in image quality and/or print integrity, see Annex F for examples.
a) attributes related to printed colour: colour fade, change of tone reproduction, loss of neutral
balance, discoloration, etc.
b) attributes related to detail reproduction: loss of sharpness, e.g. due to (colour) bleeding, etc.
c) attributes related to print uniformity: changes in gloss, introduction of staining or mottle (as
function of print density), etc.
d) failure of print layer structure including image (receiving) layer(s), coatings or laminates: cracking
on micro- or macro-level, blistering, flaking off, adhesion failure, delamination, chalking, etc.
e) discoloration of the printing substrate: yellowing or carbonization ("browning”), etc.
f) physical disintegration of the printed matter: brittle failure, etc.
g) physical deformation of the print material: cockle, curl, warp, change of dimensions, etc.
h) mechanical damage of the print surface: scratches, dents, scuff marks, wear, etc.
Quantitative assessment of these various dimensions of image permanence requires instrument
measurements in addition to visual assessment. Measurement of the change of an image parameter
requires the measurement of the corresponding image quality parameter after and before the stability
test. Methods for measurement of image quality parameters of digital prints have been described in
ISO/TS 15311-1 and ISO/IEC 24790 or are under development.
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Judgement of changes of the various dimensions describing initial image quality and print integrity may
involve evaluation of many different image parameters. For each image parameter, endpoints may be
defined that express the retention of a certain level of quality (either absolute or relative to the initial
state) as quality expectation typical in the use profile.
However, an over-coupling, generic metric of visual judgement of multi-dimensional image quality by
human observers, including non-linear judgement effects known as “peak picking” (i.e. observers tend
to focus on the parti
...