Very Old Timer

I am printing on metallic photo paper and trying to get as close as possible to the metal print on aluminum appearance. The printer is Epson P800. (To answer the inevitable question: why not use the real metal print? - Cost). There are literally hundreds of different protective sprays. I tried a few but they do not produce this uniform deep high gloss finish of the metal print. BTW, it does not have to be a spray, could be a roller applied varnish, etc. Any suggestions?

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

...I do alot of framed canvas art and have pretty much *all* the different varieties of clear coat, mostly rattle-can but I also HVLP a special satin/matte. But you are working with prints and that presents particular problems (canvas is very forgiving here) regarding dust particulates getting on your work...this is something I, personally, can't abide. I'm also, at this stage of the game, anti glare or any kind of reflection, which you are firmly in that realm with your quest to mimic metal printing. <shrug> I would approach with caution; the ink jet medium and paper are fairly delicate, so experiment much, and have a way to ensure dust-free application. That said, you need "gloss" out of a spray can (I can't see rolling on...but you might succeed?!). The most glossy stuff I've found is lacquer which you can find in the big box stores (I've also found that lacquer is lacquer...very little difference in formulation between brands, at least in the spray can genre). But you may find lacquer won't play well with your prints...try it and see is all I can say. If *I* want a metallic paper print I usually farm it out (Bay Photo) and they come out pretty spectacular, and the price is not too steep compared to actual metal. Maybe that's a viable option? I try to lessen my actual *work* on my art but unfortunately, it's all pretty much hands on...sigh.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

I don’t think you can get there from here. Protective sprays and roll-ons are great for protecting prints, and in most cases helping to eliminate or minimize any bronzing effect, but they are not going to be able to simulate a metal print.

I have heard of a “metal paper” (different from more common metallic papers) but have not used it so I can’t comment as to how close it comes to a metal print effect.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I would never ruin the look of the metallic paper with a spray. I have used sprays on images that were going to be exhibited where glass wasn't allowed. Even the glossy spray dulls the appearance.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

No sure what brand metallic paper your using but give Kodak Metallic a try. It's as glossy if not more than my metal prints. You can also use a spray adhesive to apply the print to a backer board which gets the print absolutely flat and makes the print look rigid.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

If you do achieve the look you want display a copy of it here shot at an angle so that glare light will show the surface.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

I cannot speak to the spray finish but I can tell you something I discovered yesterday. I was rooting around for some paper on which to print a proof for an art postcard. I came across a packet of Inkpess Metallic Satin paper that I must have purchased a while ago. On the box it says it has a metallic pearlescent surface; works with Dye, Ultrachrome, Durabrite and HDR inks; is compatible with Epson, Canon, HP and other major brand printers; is water resistant, highly scratch resistant, instant dry and light fast. So, I printed the postcard on a cheap HP OfficeJet 4650 printer. I have to say that the result is absolutely amazing. I'm sold.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

In the day of film, I tried a spray for my photos ..... which did the job, but it yellowed over time. Make sure whatever is used doesn’t do that!!