What Is Lightfastness, and Why Does It Matter in Acrylic Paints?

If you've been around acrylic paints as long as we have at Nova Color, you’ll know that not all paints are created equal. One key factor that separates professional-grade acrylics from the rest is **lightfastness**. This term refers to a paint’s ability to resist fading when exposed to light—keeping those rich colors just as vibrant as the day they were applied.

The Science Behind Lightfastness

At its core, lightfastness is about how pigments interact with ultraviolet (UV) light. When light hits a painted surface, the energy from the UV rays can break down the chemical bonds in the pigment molecules. This degradation can cause the color to fade or shift over time.

Some pigments are inherently more stable under UV exposure. These pigments resist breaking down, which is why they are rated higher in terms of lightfastness. In contrast, less stable pigments are more susceptible to fading because their molecular structure is more easily disrupted by light energy.

At Nova Color, we carefully select our pigments based on their stability under light exposure. However, the aesthetic properties of certain pigments—like specific hues or brightness—might come from pigments that are naturally less lightfast. That’s why we offer a range of lightfastness options, from excellent to fair, to meet the diverse needs of artists.

Why Offer Paints With a Lightfastness of III?

Now, you might wonder, why would we offer paints with a lightfastness rating of III, which is considered "fair"? There’s a good reason for this. Some pigments that naturally have lower lightfastness are highly valued for their unique color properties. For instance, certain vivid reds, yellows, and fluorescents can’t be replicated with more stable pigments. These colors may fade faster under intense light, but their visual impact is hard to match.

Many artists choose these colors for projects where long-term exposure to sunlight isn’t a concern—such as indoor installations, temporary artworks, or pieces intended for reproduction rather than display. Offering paints with lightfastness ratings of III gives artists the creative freedom to use the full spectrum of colors, knowing they can choose the best tool for each specific project.

Our Lightfastness Options

At Nova Color, we offer three levels of lightfastness to match your artistic needs:

I – Excellent: These pigments provide maximum resistance to fading, even in direct sunlight. Perfect for works meant to last or be displayed in bright light.
II – Very Good: These pigments resist fading well, though they may show slight changes over extended periods of light exposure. They’re suitable for most indoor and outdoor projects.
III – Fair: These pigments may fade over time when exposed to light, but their unique qualities make them ideal for short-term or controlled lighting projects, or when their particular hue is unmatched by more stable pigments.

Protect Your Art, Preserve Your Vision

Understanding lightfastness helps you make the best choices for your art. Whether you’re creating fine art, murals, or decorative pieces, knowing how your colors will stand up over time is critical. At Nova Color, we offer a range of lightfastness options because we believe in providing you with both durability and creative flexibility. You get to decide whether longevity or a specific color’s unique brilliance is more important for each project.

With Nova Color’s high-quality pigments and transparency in lightfastness ratings, you can trust that your work will remain as vibrant as the day it was created—whether it’s meant to last for generations or make a bold statement in the here and now.