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Digital Photo Protection
Jul 21, 2019 17:08:29   #
WOOF Loc: Minneapolis, MN
 
Has anyone used any of the photo protectors that can be sprayed on inkjet printed digital photos? I want to mount some without frames and am looking for something to protect them from dust, fingerprints and UV rays I do not want to put them under glass.

Brian

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Jul 21, 2019 17:14:02   #
DebAnn Loc: Toronto
 
WOOF wrote:
Has anyone used any of the photo protectors that can be sprayed on inkjet printed digital photos? I want to mount some without frames and am looking for something to protect them from dust, fingerprints and UV rays I do not want to put them under glass.

Brian


You can buy spray protectors that artists use for sealing drawings, charcoal illustrations etc. Make sure your photo print is thoroughly dry before applying and don't overspray. I seem to remember it worked fine when I tried it some time ago. You should be able to find it in an art supply store.

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Jul 21, 2019 17:37:52   #
rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA
 
DebAnn wrote:
You can buy spray protectors that artists use for sealing drawings, charcoal illustrations etc. Make sure your photo print is thoroughly dry before applying and don't overspray. I seem to remember it worked fine when I tried it some time ago. You should be able to find it in an art supply store.

I used a spray protector at one time to keep glossy prints from getting fingerprints, but it had a bad habit of subtly turning yellow.

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Jul 21, 2019 19:04:41   #
rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA
 
WOOF wrote:
Has anyone used any of the photo protectors that can be sprayed on inkjet printed digital photos? I want to mount some without frames and am looking for something to protect them from dust, fingerprints and UV rays I do not want to put them under glass.

Brian


You need an archival rated spray-on varnish, which will not yellow over time. I have a rattle can of Golden Varnish, #7736-X. which I purchased at Blix Art Supplies in Los Angeles. Simple to spray onto prints once they have completely dried. It is a satin finish; they also have matt and gloss

https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Archival-Varnish-Satin-10/dp/B001YJXEF4/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1T9VGMTHL0ZE6&keywords=golden+archival+spray+varnish&qid=1563750212&s=gateway&sprefix=golden+archival+%2Caps%2C196&sr=8-3

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Jul 21, 2019 19:35:25   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
DebAnn wrote:
You can buy spray protectors that artists use for sealing drawings, charcoal illustrations etc. Make sure your photo print is thoroughly dry before applying and don't overspray. I seem to remember it worked fine when I tried it some time ago. You should be able to find it in an art supply store.


I use Breathing Color Timeless Varnish - archival to 100+ years, non-yellowing, etc etc etc. I roll it on.

https://www.breathingcolor.com/timeless

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Jul 21, 2019 23:04:38   #
Wallen Loc: Middle Earth
 
Good advice guys. Archival sprays are the way to go.
The others turn yellow.
These sprays are also has the habit of making the colors look deeper so expect some change in saturation.

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Jul 22, 2019 06:48:47   #
mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma
 
I've used MOAB Desert Varnish with good results. I don't use glossy paper.

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Jul 22, 2019 07:33:07   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Gene51 wrote:
I use Breathing Color Timeless Varnish - archival to 100+ years, non-yellowing, etc etc etc. I roll it on.

https://www.breathingcolor.com/timeless


It says it takes 60 minutes to dry. A lot can fall out of the air in 60 minutes.

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Jul 22, 2019 09:42:33   #
StaneeRae Loc: Lincroft, NJ USA
 
jerryc41 wrote:
It says it takes 60 minutes to dry. A lot can fall out of the air in 60 minutes.

Humidity can affect some sprays and cause them to dry cloudy. Some sprays are not safe to use indoors due to fumes. I know a photographer whose studio burned down when fumes ignited.

I’ve used Sureguard/McDonald photo sprays on traditional photos (not inkjet prints). Outdoors - Put the photo in a cardboard box, spray the print across then up & down. Close the box flaps & let dry.

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Jul 22, 2019 10:37:17   #
WOOF Loc: Minneapolis, MN
 
Thank you everybody.This really helps.

Brian

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Jul 22, 2019 13:15:53   #
burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC
 
WOOF wrote:
Has anyone used any of the photo protectors that can be sprayed on inkjet printed digital photos? I want to mount some without frames and am looking for something to protect them from dust, fingerprints and UV rays I do not want to put them under glass.

Brian


https://www.amazon.com/Hahnemuhle-Protective-Spray-Digital-Prints/dp/B0009MX2VS

This is sold by one of the world's leading fine art photographic paper manufacturers. I've used it and love it. There are other brands... Moab and Premier Art are two. As long as the spray is made for this purpose, it's okay.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Protective+Spray+for+Fine+Art+Digital+Prints&i=tools&ref=nb_sb_noss

If you spray inkjet prints, they need to "outgas" their solvents for 24 to 48 hours before you spray them or laminate them or mount them under glass. Pigmented inkjet ink contains solids that slow down the evaporation of the solvents. So I give them a full day and a half or more. Dye ink prints take about a day...

If you don't allow the solvents to evaporate, they will deteriorate the spray coating or leave a cloudy film on the side of the glass facing the print.

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Jul 22, 2019 20:56:22   #
RichardE Loc: California
 
@burkphoto, great information I never knew for photos. I used to spray my watercolor art well after it dried.

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Jul 22, 2019 23:15:52   #
burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC
 
RichardE wrote:
@burkphoto, great information I never knew for photos. I used to spray my watercolor art well after it dried.


At the lab where I ran the printing departments, we put them on a table under sheets of blank newsprint paper. The paper helped absorb the solvents and let us stack them until the next day.

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