Edith Schuetze (asker) Feb 3, 2007:

Lagerbeständigkeit Hi Rolf,

In this contexst "shelf life" is the time the printed articles may be stored on the shelves with the supplier without degrading.

"Haltbartkeit" goes beyond "shelf life", as it refers to the time consumer goods will keep fresh after you bought them in the store. This is not the meaning in my context (for example I have herbs at home with 5 years "Haltbarheit"....).

"Lagerfähigkeit" says nothing about the time at all, only that the articles can actually be stored "...fähig". So, this also was not the meaning in my text.

"Lagerbeständigkeit" indicates the time period the inks can be stored in the store or company BEFORE being sold to the customer. This was what I was looking for. So, I did make the right choice ...

Thanks for your suggestions anyway ... I do not necessarily trust dictionnaires, as they have many mistakes. In my opinion the context is more important.

Rolf Kern Feb 2, 2007:

"Shelf life" has many translations and I think you did not make the best joice.

Rolf Kern Feb 2, 2007:

But we are not in plastics here, but in printing inks, where the usual terms may be different.