Toner

I am writing an article on long-term stability of toner, as used in
laser-printing and photocopying. I would appreciate comments on one
of its more controversial  statements:

   "Watermarks in the paper may affect adhesion of toner to paper.
    The most common type of watermark is produced by a "Dandy" roll
    in the paper making machine which compacts and thins portions of
    the paper as it produces a design. The 1993 paper from Australia
    recommends that if watermarks are used, they should be placed in
    the margins or other non-printed areas of the page.

   "The move by libraries to use archival bond for photocopying
    creates problems which may be as bad as those it solves. The
    calcium carbonate which makes the paper more resistant to acid
    has a bad side effect. So does the large watermark which
    identifies the paper as archival bond. Both decrease toner
    adhesion to the paper. Using standard, non-watermarked acid-free
    paper would increase adhesion and lower cost, and probably would
    not decrease long term readability."

        --Photocopying and Laser Printing Processes--Their Stability
        and Permanence. Dickson, Australia, ACT 2602. Custody and
        Preservation Section, Australian Archives Central Office (PO
        Box 34). 1993.

Thanks,

Rupert N. Evans
Prairie Publications
101 West Windsor Road, #4107
Urbana, IL 61801
217-337-7833
Fax: 217-337-7469

                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 9:64
                  Distributed: Sunday, March 17, 1996
                        Message Id: cdl-9-64-001
                                  ***