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I forwarded this question to our archives section here at the NMR and got the following response: "The stability of CD's depends on the overall quality of the CD manufacture, the dye used to hold the digital information and the way the CD's are stored after burning. The software used in the burning process and the actual format of the image have no bearing on its longevity. The format used has to remain current and generally readable by most applications for it to be of long term use. There is little point in storing images in a proprietary format which cannot be universally or easily read. Basic ink jet prints on "ordinary" paper will not last for very long. However there are some ink / paper combinations which will last a considerable time but these are usually very expensive and specialised. There is no such thing as a "real "photographic paper for inkjet prints. Printing digital photographs onto "real" photographic paper through a photographic process will give the longest life to the images. Gold dye CDs are recognised as providing the best quality and stability. We would advise making at least 2 security copies of digital files, preferably on different media. We are currently using hard drives, CDs and tape." Hope this is helpful. Martin -----Original Message----- From: Issues related to Historic Environment Records [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Iles, Peter Sent: 10 November 2005 12:06 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Archive stability of 'digital prints' Does anyone have any information as to the archive stability of digital photographs on (i) CD-ROM and (ii) as paper prints? This issue has been raised in connection with site reports produced as part of a planning condition. I guess the former depends more on the quality of the CD-ROM and the writer used (in common with all such archives) rather than on the software/format selected. The latter I have less of an idea about and I would guess that there are a huge number of possible permutations of paper and printer. I do know that standard inkjet dyes are not particularly stable/colour fast on ordinary paper, but does it make a difference if you use 'real' photographic paper? Do colour laser printers produce a better and more stable image? Any advice, standards or guidelines would be gratefully received. Peter Iles Specialist Advisor (Archaeology) Lancashire County Council Environment Directorate PO Box 9 Guild House Cross Street Preston PR1 8RD T 01772 531550 F 01772 533423 E [log in to unmask]