TS ISO 11798

TS ISO 11798 defines requirements and test methods for assessing the permanence and durability of writing, printing and copying on paper over long periods of storage. It is aimed at paper records kept in libraries, archives and similar protected environments, where the essential need is to preserve the recorded information rather than the full artistic appearance of the document.

Records and technologies covered

The standard applies to images on white permanent paper and to records produced by pens, stamps, copying machines and printers, including monochrome and multicoloured images. From a general technical perspective, this is important because different marking technologies interact with paper in different ways: inks may penetrate and bond differently than toner or other print images, and long-term performance depends on the full system of paper, marking medium and storage conditions.

Why permanence and durability are treated together

Permanence refers to the ability of the recorded information to remain legible and stable over time, while durability concerns resistance to physical handling and environmental influence. The document also sets boundaries by excluding records stored in harmful conditions, legal documents where authenticity is the primary concern, documents whose information content is affected by small colour changes, and documents within the scope of photography standards. This makes the standard most relevant to archives-oriented paper records whose long-term readability matters more than appearance alone.

In practical information-management terms, TS ISO 11798 provides a common framework for evaluating whether a paper-based recording system is suitable for long-term retention. It helps connect the paper substrate, the writing or printing process, and the expected preservation environment into one technical view of lasting legibility.