Investigating the printing techniques and light sensitivity of the Tyler Graphics Bag by Frank Stella
Source abstract
Abstract
The Tyler Graphics Bag (1984), named for master printer Kenneth Tyler (b. 1913), was designed by artist Frank Stella (1936–2024) and printed as a limited-edition shopping bag commissioned by Dayton’s department store to promote the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. The pigments and printing processes used for the bag were investigated, and analyses included optical microscopy, multispectral imaging (MSI), Raman spectroscopy, and large-area micro-X-ray fluorescence (XRF) scanning. The findings suggest a photomechanical color-separation printing process using commercial colorants. Further investigation of the media and support with micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (µ-FTIR) identified energy-curable epoxy acrylate ink on bleached Kraft paper. Microfade testing (MFT) additionally indicated that some industrial works on paper could be as lightfast as bespoke ones. Archival research reveals that Stella and Tyler Graphics created working proofs that seem to be earlier iterations of the final design; however, these findings confirm that the Tyler Graphics Bag was printed industrially.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: 3D Surveying and Cultural Heritage · Color Science and Applications · Art, Technology, and Culture
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
References (48)
Show source-provided references
1. Wagner, S. C. Shopping Bag: Portable Art 1st edn (Random House Value Publishing, 1986).
2. Groves, M. Art form: shopping bags you can hang. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-12-11-mn-18986-story.html (1987).
3. Glassboro State College Art Department. “ART TO GO: an exhibition of shopping bags.” Press Release: Glassboro State College (1988).
4. von Holtum, E. Carry On! Selections from the J. Scott Patnode Shopping Bag Collection | Cary Graphic Arts Collection | RIT [Internet]. https://www.rit.edu/carycollection/carry-selections-j-scott-patnode-shopping-bag-collection (2024).
5. Patnode JSNM of A. It’s on the Bag 1st edn (Nevada Museum of Art, 1992).
6. Hall, B. Kenneth Tyler to close studio. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/19/nyregion/kenneth-tyler-to-close-studio.html (2000).
7. Tyler, K. E. Tyler Graphics: Catalogue Raisonne, 1974-1985 1st edn (Abbeville Press, 1987).
8. Stella, F. & Engberg, S. Frank Stella at Tyler Graphics (Walker Art Center, 1997).
9. Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. Dayton’s/Walker Gallery: Frank Stella. https://www.si.edu/object/daytons-walker-gallery-frank-stella%3Achndm_2000-26-146 (2024).
10. Carlsmith, C. & Lee, D. Correspondence with Abbey Border, Curatorial Assistant at the National Gallery of Australia. New York, NY, USA. (Personal communication, 2024).
11. Swerdlow, R. M. The Step by Step Guide to Photo Offset Lithography (Pearson College Div, 1982).
12. Zhou, Y. & Qu, J. Preparation of low viscosity and high flexibility epoxy acrylate and its application in UV-curable coatings. J. Coat. Technol. Res. 21, 601–610 (2024).10.1007/s11998-023-00842-y ↗
13. National Gallery of Australia. Frank Stella—Dayton’s shopping bag. https://searchthecollection.nga.gov.au/object/150946 (2024).
14. Cosentino, A. Identification of pigments by multispectral imaging; a flowchart method. Herit. Sci. 2, 8 (2014).10.1186/2050-7445-2-8 ↗
15. Xia, J., Xiong, Y., Min, S. & Li, J. A review of recent infrared spectroscopy research for paper. Appl. Spectrosc. Rev. 58, 738–754 (2023).10.1080/05704928.2022.2142939 ↗
16. Tomar et al. Discrimination and analytical profiling of colored printed documents using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy coupled with explorative and predictive statistical analysis: part I. Spectrochim. Acta A Mol. Biomol. Spectrosc. 322, 124839 (2024).10.1016/j.saa.2024.124839 ↗
17. Fremout, W. & Saverwyns, S. Identification of synthetic organic pigments: the role of a comprehensive digital Raman spectral library. J. Raman Spectrosc. 43, 1536–1544 (2012).10.1002/jrs.4054 ↗
18. Janssens, K. et al. Non-invasive and non-destructive examination of artistic pigments, paints, and paintings by means of X-ray methods. Top. Curr. Chem. 374, 81 (2016).10.1007/s41061-016-0079-2 ↗
19. del Hoyo-Meléndez, J. M. Physico-chemical characterisation and light stability of dyes and pigments found in cultural heritage objects: insights from microfading testing for assessing light fastness. Color Technol. 141, 265–290 (2024).10.1111/cote.12788 ↗
20. Leach, R. H. (ed.). The Printing Ink Manual 5th edn (Blueprint, 1993).10.1007/978-1-4020-6187-5 ↗
21. Gascoigne, B. How to Identify Prints: A Complete Guide to Manual and Mechanical Processes from Woodcut to Inkjet (Thames & Hudson, 2004).
22. Stulik, D. & Kaplan, A. The Atlas of Analytical Signatures of Photographic Processes: Halftone. (Getty Conservation Institute, 2013).
23. Jürgens, M. C. The Digital Print: Identification and Preservation (Getty Publications, 2009).
24. Buxbaum, G. & Pfaff, G. (eds). Industrial Inorganic Pigments (John Wiley & Sons, 2006).10.1002/3527603735 ↗
25. Sobeck, S. J. S., Chen, V. J. & Smith, G. D. Shedding light on daylight fluorescent artists’ pigments, part 1: composition. J. Am. Inst. Conserv. 62, 1–19 (2021).
26. Herbst, W., Hunger, K. & Wilker, G. Industrial Organic Pigments: Production, Properties, Applications 3rd edn (Wiley-VCH, 2004).10.1002/3527602429 ↗
27. Geminiani L., et al. Differentiating between natural and modified cellulosic fibres using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Heritage 5, 4114–4139 (2022).10.3390/heritage5040213 ↗
28. Ibrahim, M. N. M., Iqbal, A., Shen, C. C., Bhawani, S. A. & Adam, F. Synthesis of lignin based composites of TiO2 for potential application as radical scavengers in sunscreen formulation. BMC Chem. 13, 17 (2019).10.1186/s13065-019-0537-3 ↗
29. Kimmel, S. D. Life cycle assessment of grocery bags in common use in the United States. Environ. Stud. 6, https://open.clemson.edu/cudp_environment/6 (2014).
30. Riley, A. 10—Paper and paperboard packaging. in Packaging Technology (eds Emblem, A. & Emblem, H.) 178–239 (Woodhead Publishing, 2012).10.1533/9780857095701.2.178 ↗
31. Messier, P., Baas, V., Tafilowski, D. & Varga, L. Optical brightening agents in photographic paper. J. Am. Inst. Conserv. 44, 1–12 (2005).10.1179/019713605806082392 ↗
32. Shammas, N. K., Wang, L. K. & Landin, M. Treatment of paper mill whitewater, recycling and recovery of raw materials. in Flotation Technology, Vol. 12 (eds Wang, L. K., Shammas, N. K., Selke, W. A. & Aulenbach, D. B.) 221–268 (Humana Press, 2010).10.1007/978-1-60327-133-2_7 ↗
33. Yin, B. & Zhang, J. A novel photocurable modified epoxy resin for high heat resistance coatings. Colloid Polym. Sci. 298, 1303–1312 (2020).10.1007/s00396-020-04708-2 ↗
34. Turna, M., Şen, F., Madakbaş, S. & Karataş, S. Preparation and characterization of UV-cured epoxy acrylate-based nanocomposite coatings containing organonanoclay. Polym. Bull. 80, 7949–7969 (2023).10.1007/s00289-022-04386-w ↗
35. Chang, C.-J. & Tzeng, H.-Y. Preparation and properties of waterborne dual curable monomers and cured hybrid polymers for ink-jet applications. Polymer 47, 8536–8547 (2006).10.1016/j.polymer.2006.10.012 ↗
36. Zhang, K., Li, L., Chen, X., Lu, C. & Ran, J. Controlled preparation and properties of acrylic acid epoxy-acrylate composite emulsion for self-crosslinking coatings. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 139, 51441 (2022).10.1002/app.51441 ↗
37. Park, C.-H., Lee, S.-W., Park, J.-W. & Kim, H.-J. Preparation and characterization of dual curable adhesives containing epoxy and acrylate functionalities. React. Funct. Polym. 73, 641–646 (2013).10.1016/j.reactfunctpolym.2013.01.012 ↗
38. Udagawa, A., Sakurai, F. & Takahashi, T. In situ study of photopolymerization by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 42, 1861–1867 (1991).10.1002/app.1991.070420707 ↗
39. Beltran, V. L., Pesme, C., Feeman, S. K. & Benson, M. Microfading Tester: Light Sensitivity Assessment and Role in Lighting Policy (J. Paul Getty Trust, 2021).
40. Giles, C. H. The fading of colouring matters. J. Appl. Chem. 15, 541–550 (1965).10.1002/jctb.5010151201 ↗
41. Ford, B. & Smith, N. A reality check for microfade testing: five examples. In ICOM-CC 18th Trienn Conf Prepr. (ICOM-CC, 2017).
42. Hagan, E. & Poulin, J. The effect of prior exposure on the lightfastness of early synthetic dyes on textiles. Herit. Sci. 10, 138 (2022).10.1186/s40494-022-00767-6 ↗
43. Aydemir, C. & Yenidoğan, S. Light fastness of printing inks: a review. J. Graph Eng. Des. 9, 37–43 (2018).10.24867/JGED-2018-1-037 ↗
44. Mandal, M. & Bandyopadhyay, S. Study of the lightfastness properties of prints on blister foils by spectral reflectance. Color Res. Appl. 45, 336–344 (2020).10.1002/col.22449 ↗
45. Das, A. & Mandal, M. Study of color degradation in package prints: analyzing kinetics with principal component analysis. Color Res. Appl. 49, 401–415 (2024).10.1002/col.22924 ↗
46. Havlı́nová, B. et al. The stability of offset inks on paper upon ageing. Dyes Pigments 54, 173–188 (2002).10.1016/S0143-7208(02)00045-1 ↗
47. Blackwell, B. Light exposure to sensitive artworks during digital photography. (WAAC News. 2002).
48. Saunders, D. Museum Lighting: A Guide for Conservators and Curators (Getty Publications, 2020).10.2307/jj.4908204 ↗