Point of sale, display, graphics and signage for both indoor and outdoor use
Need help? Call us at 01347 823 230
Made to order. Printed in-house. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Get in touch - we’re here to help
10/07/2026
When specifying printed graphics for outdoor or long-term display, one of the most overlooked considerations is lightfastness.
Many people assume that because a print is described as being “UV printed” or produced with “UV inks”, it will naturally resist fading in sunlight. Unfortunately, that’s a common misconception.
Understanding what lightfastness really means can help you choose the right print process and materials for your application.
Lightfastness is a measure of how well a printed colour resists fading when exposed to light, particularly ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
Over time, prolonged exposure to sunlight breaks down pigments within inks. As some pigments fade faster than others, colours can gradually change, becoming duller or even shifting completely in appearance.
For businesses that rely on consistent branding, this can significantly alter the look of logos, signage and promotional graphics.
Imagine two identical window graphics installed at the same time.
Initially they look exactly the same, but after months of exposure to direct sunlight one still retains its original vibrant green, while the other has faded noticeably towards blue.
This happens because yellow pigments generally fade more quickly than blue pigments. As the yellow component deteriorates, the remaining blue pigment becomes more dominant, changing the overall colour.
The difference isn’t necessarily down to poor printing – it’s often the result of selecting a print process or ink system that wasn’t intended for prolonged UV exposure.
The durability of printing inks is commonly assessed using the Blue Wool Scale, an internationally recognised measure of lightfastness.
Originally developed for testing dyed fabrics, the system compares samples exposed to controlled light against protected samples.
The scale runs from 1 to 8, with higher numbers indicating greater resistance to fading.
It’s worth remembering that different pigments have different lightfastness characteristics. Even within the same ink set, some colours naturally resist fading better than others.
Not necessarily.
This is one of the biggest misunderstandings in modern printing.
UV printing refers to the way the ink is cured. The inks are instantly hardened using ultraviolet light during the printing process.
It does not automatically mean the printed image is highly resistant to years of outdoor sunlight.
The long-term performance of a print depends on several factors, including:
Different printing technologies are suited to different applications.
Screen printing is widely recognised for producing dense, durable ink deposits using specialist ink systems. When matched with suitable materials and outdoor-grade inks, it is often the preferred choice for long-term exterior graphics, control panels, industrial labels, safety signage and durable branding applications.
Modern digital printing technologies have improved significantly and many are suitable for outdoor use. Some systems use pigment-based or UV-curable inks that offer good resistance to fading, particularly when combined with appropriate laminates.
However, performance varies between different printers, ink sets and applications, so it’s always worth discussing the expected environment before production.
Lithographic printing remains an excellent choice for high-volume commercial print, brochures and packaging, but it is generally less suited to prolonged outdoor exposure without additional protection.
In reality, no printed graphic is completely immune to weathering.
Sunlight, temperature changes, moisture, pollution and environmental conditions all contribute to gradual ageing over time.
Even the most durable inks will eventually show some level of change after extended exposure to the elements.
The aim is to select the most appropriate combination of print process, inks and materials to achieve the best possible performance for the intended application.
Every project is different.
A promotional poster displayed for a few weeks has very different requirements from an architectural manifestation, industrial label or external sign expected to remain in place for several years.
By understanding where and how your graphics will be used, it’s possible to recommend the most suitable printing method, materials and finishes to maximise durability and colour stability.
At Screenprint & Display, we manufacture graphics using a range of specialist printing processes, including screen printing and digital printing, selecting the most appropriate solution for each application.
If you’re producing outdoor graphics, window displays, industrial labels, control panels or branded signage and want advice on the most suitable print process, our experienced team will be happy to help.
