Specification of Iris Prints
Print Size
Iris prints can be made as large as 34"x46". This is also the size of one sheet as we call it (we print a minimum of one sheet per order). If you don't want or need to have this much of space for one image, you can have multiples of same smaller sized images or mix and match different images in smaller sizes. You can utilize this space in any way you wish.
Paper (Printing material)
Iris prints can be made on a variety of substrates. Most common are watercolor paper and canvas but we have printed on rice paper, wood veneer, and sheet metal as well. The substrate must be flexible and fairly thin. It also must be able to absorb the ink or receive a coating that will. The heaviest material we have printed is Arches 450 lb. watercolor paper. Normally, we use Lyson watercolor paper to bring out the best in the Lyson ink we use (see below for detail in "ink").
Ink
The standard ink set that we use is the Lyson Lysonic I (water based dye sets). We use Lyson watercolor paper to gain the maximum color gamut available from this ink. The best information available currently indicates that this combination should have a longevity of approximately 35+ years for color prints and 100+ years for Black and White prints before a 20% fade with 450 lux for 12 hours a day exposure.
Handling Iris Prints
Since all Iris prints are made with water based dye sets; they are therefore sensitive to water, just like watercolor paintings. Any water, even your sneezing could damage the print. Much care should be taken in handling Iris prints like any other form of art.