Printing pictures...ink runs when photo gets wet

[GhostTX]

I have a Canon i550 printer and am using Kodak Premium Picture Paper Satin.

After I print the images, even after 24+ hours of drying, when water hits the picture, the ink/color runs.

What can I do to stop this? Is it a paper issue or is there something I can spray on the picture to help protect it?

Thanks!

[onehotrx7]

Ummm, don't get your pictures wet would be a good start... next, use either HR101 (water resistant) or PR101 (absorbent) paper from Canon... it doesn't matter how long you leave the Kodak paper, it's not 'absorbent' - the ink just dries on it...

Cheers,
Stuart

[henkbos]

There is a kind of varnish that you can spray over your pictures for protecting. Used it myself and it really works (can't remember the brand though).

[Roger_Cavanagh]

henkbos wrote:
There is a kind of varnish that you can spray over your pictures for protecting. Used it myself and it really works (can't remember the brand though).

Henk,

Does the varnish change the appearance of the picture? Make it more glossy? I was wondering what it would like on Epson Enhanced Matte, for example.

Regards,

[onehotrx7]

I've heard recommendations for an artists fixative that they use for protecting charcoal and pencil images, etc... that does work, but has to be applied carefully to avoid IT causing ink bleed and things like that... it's cheaper than laminating, but still probably not that cost effective compared to using decent paper in the first place...

Cheers,
Stuart

[GhostTX]

Ya...don't get wet would be ideal. Unfortunately, I don't have total control of where those pictures are left in my household. :)

Thanks for the paper types, Stuart/onehotrx7.
I'll look for those paper types.

[Longwatcher]

I use "Lumijet Imageshield" which was recommended to me by my local camera store. It works great on Kodak papers. Two light coats will not change look of Satin finish noticeably, but will change glossy paper slightly to make it look duller. In the glossy case add a heavy third coat and it will go back to looking glossy, so I don't recommend a heavy third coat for Satin finish, if you want to keep the satin look.

Although I use Canon S9000, the coating should work in your case as well.

Note: I did a paper test and all of the papers I tested bled (including Canon photo papers) when they got wet, unless they were coated. some bled more then others, but get them wet enough and the colors went all over. Kodak was among the worst (HP came in worst place). The paper test is described in a later thread in this same forum although it only applies to Canon BCI-6 inks used by the S9000.

[Lori]

I used to have this problem. Now I use an Epson printer and epson paper. You can run water on the photos and they do not smear at all. It's great.