Lightfastness

PanPastel Pigment Scoop

We use the finest quality pigments for maximum lightfastness. Pigment PR254 used for Permanent Red PanPastel shown above.

PanPastel Permanent Red in pans

The finished product. PanPastel Permanent Red 340.5

Lightfastness is extremely important to us. All PanPastel Colors are made using the highest quality artist's pigments, with minimal binders/fillers.

The lightfastness of a color or pigment indicates how permanent it is, and how unaffected it is by light. PanPastel Colors have been rated according to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) lightfastness standard†.

As an important part of the R&D process we conducted lightfastness testing for every color. We also wanted to ensure that we retained the characteristics of each pigment by loading each formulation with the highest possible level of each pigment.

Lightfastness testing is done independently under museum conditions using the ASTM Lightfastness Standard†. We formulated and re-formulated until we maximized the lightfastness of each color. The resulting lightfastness rating for each color is shown on all our packaging and color charts.

Colors are measured before and after light exposure according to the CIE-L*a*b* method (i.e.”Commission Internationale de l’Éclairage”). L*a*b* stands for a worldwide standardized method of color measurement, represented by a three-dimensional color system, where L* indicates the position on the grey axis, a* the position on the green/red axis, and b* the position on the yellow/blue axis. The color difference is represented by ∆ E *, calculated from: ∆ E * = √ (∆ L*)² + (∆ a*)² +(∆ b*)². The classification is determined on the basis of this ∆ E*.

If the ∆ E * is less than 4, the colors will show no visible color change under museum conditions for at least 100 years. This group is denoted by Lightfastness Category I.

If the ∆ E * is between 4 and 8, the colors will show a slight amount of color change after 50 years. This group is denoted by Lightfastness Category II. Between 8 and 16, is Lightfastness Category III etc.

†As there isn’t currently an official ASTM lightfastness standard for pastels, we used the standard for Colored Pencils, which in our judgement is the closest standard to use.

Sunburst Symbol PanPastel Asterisks ASTM Rating ASTM Rating Definition*
I EXCELLENT At least 100 years lightfast under museum conditions
II VERY GOOD 25 - 100 years lightfast under museum conditions
III FAIR 10 - 25 years lightfast under museum conditions
* There is no official ASTM lightfastness standard for pastels, therefore we apply the standard for Colored Pencils which is the closest standard available.