Final answer:
The chemical reaction involved in developing prints completes with the creation of an image, but the prints may still fade over time if exposed to light—especially UV radiation. Etched printing uses an acid bath to create recesses in a metal plate, which hold ink for the final image. Photo-degradation leads to dyes fading, with certain colors fading faster due to differences in photon energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the chemical reaction involved in developing prints and whether the print will fade after the reaction is complete. In the technique of etched printing, a protective wax-based coating is applied to a metal plate and then scratched to form an image before being bathed in acid to create recesses. After inking and cleaning the surface, the final image emerges from the ink retained in these recesses.However, the question of fading is related to photo-degradation, particularly for dyes exposed to sunlight, as they are susceptible to fading due to the higher energy of some wavelengths over others. For instance, reds, yellows, and greens tend to fade before blues and violets due to their lower photon energy, leading to quicker degradation. In the crafted print, after the chemical reaction has completed and the print has been made, it may still fade over time if not properly protected from light, especially UV radiation, which can accelerate the degradation process.This phenomenon of fading is similar to what happens in photography, where light causes the chemicals to darken but can also lead to their eventual fading. It is known that certain wavelengths of light, like UV, can be particularly damaging, which is why precious artworks and prints are often shielded with UV-absorbent glass to minimize exposure.