ISO 18948:2025 PDF

Overview

ISO 18948:2025 - Imaging materials - Photo books - Test methods for permanence and durability provides standardized test methods to assess the long‑term performance of photo books. The standard applies to photo books containing reflection colour prints produced by any printing process (analogue or digital). It covers tests for both covers and pages, focusing on the permanence of printed images and the physical durability of the book structure. The 2025 edition is a minor revision of the 2018 edition and is published by ISO/TC 42 (Photography).

Key topics and technical requirements

ISO 18948:2025 defines a structured test program and reporting requirements rather than prescribing pass/fail limits. Major technical topics include:

• Image permanence tests

  • Thermal stability during long‑term dark storage
  • Light stability testing for covers and pages
  • Ozone stability
  • Humidity stability

• Book integrity tests

  • Page pull (binding strength) procedures and calculation methods
  • Peeling, lamination durability, and internal bond strength tests
  • Attachment of book block to cover (heat durability), opening/closing durability

• Blocking and deformation

  • Procedures for testing book blocking under hot/dry, warm/humid and transport conditions
  • Deformation tests: page waviness and cover warp caused by humidity

• Sample selection and reporting

  • Emphasis on testing a representative selection of printed pages, cover materials and binding options rather than every possible combination
  • Detailed requirements for sample preparation, conditioning, and standardized reporting of results

• Annexes

  • Informative guidance on data interpretation, abrasion, extreme tests
  • Normative lamination/delamination procedures and a sandwich thermal test method

Practical applications - who uses this standard

ISO 18948:2025 is relevant to:

• Photo book manufacturers and print service providers for product development and quality control
• Materials and component suppliers (papers, cover stocks, laminates, adhesives) for performance verification
• Independent testing laboratories performing permanence and durability assessments
• Archivists, conservators and collections managers evaluating long‑term preservation
• Procurement and compliance teams assembling specifications and supplier contracts
• Marketers making evidence‑based claims about product durability and permanence

Practical uses include selecting materials and binding methods, establishing QA test plans, comparing suppliers, and documenting product performance for warranty or archival guidance.

Related standards

• Developed by ISO/TC 42 (Photography); other ISO imaging and photographic permanence standards may be relevant when specifying environmental conditions and measurement methods.

For full test procedures, calibration details and reporting templates, obtain the complete ISO 18948:2025 document from ISO.