3/2/2026 | 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM | Grand Peninsula A

Do photobooks need additional (ISO) standardization?

Author(s)

Reiner Fageth | CEWE Stiftung & Co. KGaA
Birte Stadtlander | CEWE Striftung & Co. KGaA

Details

Photobooks designed with personal images are still growing worldwide. They are used to document holidays, exhibitions, the growing up of babies, family gatherings, personal hobbies as well as weddings and are very often used as highly appreciated gifts. Also, the shift from digital cameras (point & shoot as well as digital SLRs) to smartphones did not slow down this trend. They are used for compelling storytelling as well as preserving the images.

For customers, important factors include image quality, print quality, image permanence (of both cover and pages), binding stability, and - last not least - a wide range of available products with respect to sizes, binding possibilities, cover types and different papers including silver halide.

As members of the ISO TC/42 “Photography” WG 2 experienced bad binding quality in the US, they suggested to verify if it is beneficial to establish a standard for photobook permanence/ durability so that consumers can expect a very well-produced product, which is normally not very cheap and will fulfill the desire to preserve the images in a well-functioning product.  The proposal is referred to “ISO 18952 - Imaging Materials – Photo Books – Characteristics for long-term permanence “.

In order to objectify the permanence issues a survey was commonly designed and numerous manufacturers and distributors on three continents (North America, Europa and Asia) were asked to participate.

This paper will show the questions, the results and the derived results for the ISO committee also referred to above listed existing standards.