Help giclee coating

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Julie Walsh

Julie Walsh

MGF, Master Grumble Framer
In Memorium
Rest In Peace

Gone but not forgotten
Joined
May 30, 2007
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Toronto, Canada
Have a customer that brought in two giclees; printed with water-based inks and sprayed with UV solvent based sealant.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't these be coated with a water-based sealants?

Can a water-based sealant be put over something coated with solvent based???? (the artist has added signature and title information) I believe the answer is no; however would like to hear opinion on this.

Thanks
 
Word of caution; Don't Get in the Middle of This One.

The only person that knows what you are working with is the person that did the printing. If that person failed to properly complete the process you are guessing and betting you won't lose money. A large majority of the people bringing these to you do not have any idea what they have or what they are talking about. Be prepared to purchase a new one if you get in the middle.
 
We spray solvent based Clear Jet on canvas printed with aqueous inks. Probably should let the ink dry for 12 hours but we've coated sooner. There shouldn't be any trouble using water based coatings over solvent sealers.

There may be problems brushing, rolling, solvent coatings over water based inks, but the problem would be immediately noticed.
 
both artist and printer are having a conversation about it. I'm interested in understanding the correct process and correct products to be used for water-based giclees.
 
There really isn't much to understand. But here is the gist of it. Giclees are all printed with water based pigmented inks. Therefore any coating devised for Giclees will work and is correct, water based or carbon (solvent). Comparability with the inks isn't really the question. The issue is comparability with the inkjet receptor coating used on papers produced for Giclees . I can't think of one paper or canvas produced for giclee printing that isn't water resistant. Coatings are applied to provide uv protection and in the case of canvases to allow some surface cleaning.

My experience if an adequate spray booth is available, solvent based coatings produce a more pleasing result than water based. I wonder what interest picture framers have in how what they frame is produced beyond idle curiosity. Any printer who follows manufacturer's recommendations is going to produce a quality product.
 
I'm a framer and a printer and yes, I do take an interest in the process used by other printers...I'm especially interested in what product they are using to coat the canvass that is smelling up my shop. Knowing what it is and knowing when the solvent smell will dissapate is also of interest to me.
BTW the artist has had lots of printing done, however this is the first time with this particular printer and has never experienced the smell. She will deal with the printer on this one and will be asking me to do her printing from now on.
 
I can't understand why you don't just laminate them. Quick, easy, and bulletproof. Laminating a giclee is easy money.
 
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