ASTM D3424-25
Standard Practice for Evaluating the Relative Lightfastness and Weatherability of Printed Matter
| Standard number: | ASTM D3424-25 |
| Released: | 01.09.2025 |
| Status: | Active |
| Pages: | 7 |
| Section: | 06.02 |
| Keywords: | accelerated exposure; carbon-arc apparatus; color difference measurements; daylight behind window glass; fluorescent lamp apparatus; gray scale; lightfastness; outdoor exposure; printed matter; printing inks; weatherfastness; xenon-arc apparatus; |
1.1 This standard describes procedures for the determination of the relative lightfastness and weatherability of printed matter under the following conditions, which involve exposure to natural daylight or accelerated procedures in the laboratory:
1.1.1 Method 1—Daylight behind window glass,
1.1.2 Method 2—Outdoor weathering,
1.1.3 Method 3—Xenon-arc apparatus with window glass filters to simulate daylight behind window glass,
1.1.4 Method 4—Xenon-arc apparatus with water spray and daylight filters to simulate outdoor weathering,
1.1.5 Method 7—Fluorescent lamp apparatus to simulate indoor fluorescent lighting in combination with window-filtered daylight.
1.1.6 Method 8—Fluorescent lamp apparatus operating with fluorescent cool white lamps to simulate indoor fluorescent lighting.
Note 1: Previous versions of this standard included Methods 5 and 6 that are based on enclosed carbon-arc exposures. These methods are described in Appendix X1. The spectral irradiance of the enclosed carbon-arc is a very poor simulation of solar radiation, window glass filtered solar radiation, or the emission of lamps used for interior lighting. In addition, enclosed carbon-arc devices are no longer readily available or commonly used.
1.2 These methods require that a suitable print or other control (reference standard) be run along with the test sample. Color changes due to conditions of exposure may be evaluated by visual examination or instrumental measurement.
1.3 These methods are applicable to prints on any flat substrate including paper, paperboard, metallic foil, metal plate, and plastic film, and are produced by any printing process including letterpress, offset lithography, flexography, gravure, and silk screen.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see Section 8.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.