Water Resistant Canvas and Art Prints
"Unlike traditional photography where a gelatin emulsion protects the image, ink jet papers are porous like a sponge, even after the ink has been applied. In order to protect the image over time, a coating is needed to seal the print."
I use PremierArt's water resistant canvas in the 17", 24" and 44" widths (wish it came 36" wide). The photographer/artist tried to wipe what she thought was a spot of the printed portion of the canvas with a little moisture and the inks smeared! We spray all of the canvas prints with 3 coats of PremierArt's Print shield, which is a lacquer based finish; according to PremierArt's (Premier Imaging Products) website, this spray adds uv resistance, scuff resistance and water resistance. However - although the can the product comes in and PremierArt's website recommends its use on canvas, the website now says it will crack when canvas is stretched. That may be the problem!
Testing to commence as follows: I printed 2 of the same image on the water resistant canvas. They will be allowed to cure for a minimum of 24 hours. One of the canvas prints will be stretched on the bars (prior to spraying), and the other will be sprayed unstretched/prior to stretching. That one will be stretched after spraying. Then I will test each for water resistance.
Results to follow...
I use PremierArt's water resistant canvas in the 17", 24" and 44" widths (wish it came 36" wide). The photographer/artist tried to wipe what she thought was a spot of the printed portion of the canvas with a little moisture and the inks smeared! We spray all of the canvas prints with 3 coats of PremierArt's Print shield, which is a lacquer based finish; according to PremierArt's (Premier Imaging Products) website, this spray adds uv resistance, scuff resistance and water resistance. However - although the can the product comes in and PremierArt's website recommends its use on canvas, the website now says it will crack when canvas is stretched. That may be the problem!
Testing to commence as follows: I printed 2 of the same image on the water resistant canvas. They will be allowed to cure for a minimum of 24 hours. One of the canvas prints will be stretched on the bars (prior to spraying), and the other will be sprayed unstretched/prior to stretching. That one will be stretched after spraying. Then I will test each for water resistance.
Results to follow...
posted by Diana at 4:52 PM
3 Comments:
Hi Diana,
I have been operating my photo to canvas for business www.achiaimages.com.au for a year or two in Australia and have worked through the cracked ink on the edge problems and laminate spray options. I started with PremierArt's Print Shield and was advised to spray before stretching as this helps reduce cracking when folding the corners. Worked to some extent as business grew the cost of Print Shield was not economic and even 3 coats was not producing a good protetive coating. Next moved onto using a roller and a product from Breathing Color. I believe this method works very well for Epson's inks but with the HP inkset some colour transfer occurred on the roller, making any canvas with a reasonable amount of white impossible. Final option,which is working brilliantly is applying the laminate with an HVLP compressor, well worth the outlay. No need for a dedicated spray booth and works well with Breathing Color's coating and locally available coatings. There's no comparison to canvases I have that have been sprayed with Print Shield. Feel like comparing notes send me an email.
Thanks a bunch Amanda-
I haven't had too much trouble with ink coming off at the corners unless it's too cold (as the canvas spec sheet says: "use this media under normal conditions, between 68 and 77 degrees F".
The HVLP system seems the way to go, but I'm a small shop with limited space and cash.
Congratulations! This is the best thing, Thank you so much for taking the time to share this exciting information.
Large Photo Prints
Post a Comment
<< Home