Fixative Spray

[dewmuw]

I've had a few conversations with people who treat their prints with 'fixative spray' after they have printed. What is it, what does it do and where do I buy some?

[tim]

You want to know where to buy it before you know what it does? You're an ideal consumer! ;)

[dewmuw]

You want to know where to buy it before you know what it does? You're an ideal consumer! ;)

Well I wanted to know where you buy it so I could have a llok at it and see the price - before I buy.

[stoneylonesome]

Damian; I use a brand called Krylon which I pick up at the local arts and craft stores, I would imagine that some to the photo stores would also carry it or something similiar, I don't use it all the time. Here is a couple of links. I don't know what would be avaliable in the UK

http://www.heinzjordan.com/Krylon_print.htm

http://www.inkjetart.com/news/spray.html

http://www.flaxart.com/f/shopping/prod_detail/main.asp?Style=2&productID=2738&code=W2SD

Good luck in your search :) :)

[dewmuw]

Thanks Sandy. We can always rely on you for a fulsome answer. I think Krylon sells stuff in the UK so I'll have a looksee.

[NickC]

Used to use this stuff back in the old days to "fix" pencil drawings so they wouldn't smear to the touch (my friends back then were all comic book shop types and aspiring artists and most of them have worked for Marvel and DC at some point). The spray puts a transparent coating on top of the paper to seal in the work underneath. There are gloss and matte versions, so choose the one you want based on the desired final effect. It does eventually wear off if you handle the item a lot.

[FlyingPete]

Whilst at tech doing graphics, we saved money by using hairpsray as fixative to 'fix' pencil drawings, somehow I don't think that it would work, but it would possibly mean that it might be good to check what the fixative is actually for, drawings or photos.

I have often wondered if you could get a UV protective coat for images, save them from fading, esspecially inkjet stuff.

[stoneylonesome]

Whilst at tech doing graphics, we saved money by using hairpsray as fixative to 'fix' pencil drawings, somehow I don't think that it would work, but it would possibly mean that it might be good to check what the fixative is actually for, drawings or photos.

I have often wondered if you could get a UV protective coat for images, save them from fading, esspecially inkjet stuff.

the Krylon photo sprays matte or glossy are a UV protection The can I have now is actually called Krylon UV-Resistant CLEAR Acrylic Coating #1305 on the back it says provides a permanent, protective gloss coating which protects art, crafts, photos against harmful UV light rays, Moisture-resistant and smudge-proof.

[cactusclay]

Hummmmm. I'll have to check that out. Thanks for the info.

[defordphoto]

In the past I have used a specific Photographic Lacquer made by Sureguard. The can I have in front of me now is Matte Special #931 McDonald PRO-TECTA-COTE it also says on the label. I do also have a can of glossy.

Label says:

SUREGUARD INC.
2350 114th St
Grand Prarie Texas 75050
(972) 647-9049

It is some wicked stuff and has Toluene in it. There are gobs of warning labels on it and it says that it's for industrial use only, blah blah blah, not for sale or use by the general public, blah blah blah.

Great stuff though. I originally bought it whan I first got into printing photos with my eco-friendly HP printers that use water permeable ink. Spray this stuff on it and you can run your HP photo under a running faucet no problemo.

It also UV protects your photos.

[FlyingPete]

It is some wicked stuff and has Toluene in it. There are gobs of warning labels on it and it says that it's for industrial use only, blah blah blah, not for sale or use by the general public, blah blah blah.


Sometimes you have to use the nasty chemicals to get the job done right!

[Moments]

I always spray my 2200 prints, which are either Epson Luster Paper, or Kodak Professional Luster. I treat all of my prints with either of these two spays.

Lumijet Matt spray or Clearjet Matt spray.

Adorama usually has the Lumijet spray. But I get my spray from a company call Professional Graphics in Elmsford, NY since I drive by them on the way to the studio each day. They are Epson retailers. I just picked up a can of Lumijet to day for $12 and change. Epson 2200 inks cost $9.80 from them also.