[jeffanddina]

Potentially stupid question: Was just about to pick up some Krylon Crystal Clear for my inkjet-ed labels (on paper; not vinyl) when it dawned on me.... When this stuff hits the labels, will the ink start bleeding and flowing all over as though I sprayed it witha water bottle? Or will all be fine? I pictured the moisture making the ink run....

Obviously a test spray would be the answer, but if it isn't going to work, I wouldn't mind saving the $5. Hell that's damn near a 6-pack.

Thanks in advanced

[_GUN_]

Originally Posted by jeffanddina

..I wouldn't mind saving the $5. Hell that's damn near a 6-pack.

exactly, don't waste your beer money.

not to mention $5 buys five $1 chips.

good luck on your quest for knowledge.

[pryan67]

well, I would THINK that it wouldn't cause it to run...IF you let the ink dry long enough BEFORE spraying (but you knew that part I'm sure)


I'm picking up some Krylon today for my labels (thanks lynbark *grin*), and I have both a color laser and color inkjet at home...


I'll test it tonight on some inkjet printed paper

[Ranman]

If you do mist coats (two or three at least), it will help set the image and prevent runs. You don't want heavy wet coats.

I make decals (think model airplanes) that I put on the headstock of guitars I build and this method works best for those.

[TheHawk]

Ranman please post a pic of the guitars you make, i'm gaonna make one someday.TheHawk

[OnTheButton]

Originally Posted by jeffanddina

Potentially stupid question: Was just about to pick up some Krylon Crystal Clear for my inkjet-ed labels (on paper; not vinyl) when it dawned on me.... When this stuff hits the labels, will the ink start bleeding and flowing all over as though I sprayed it witha water bottle? Or will all be fine? I pictured the moisture making the ink run....

Obviously a test spray would be the answer, but if it isn't going to work, I wouldn't mind saving the $5. Hell that's damn near a 6-pack.

Thanks in advanced

I own a large-format inkjet printing company, and personally I would not use the "Home Depot" version of Krylon Clear spray for exactly the reasons you stated.

Krylon is a great brand, but you want something more like this that is designed for spraying over and protecting delicate artwork:

or this

You are trying more to protect the PAPER from dirt and grime, since ink-jet based media is typically micro-porous and is designed to hold small particles (i.e. the ink droplets) and are prone to collecting dirt and not letting it go. The "art" line of Krylon also has a different sprayer nozzle that mists more than sprays, making it harder to over-spray your labels.

The Krylon Clear you get from Home Depot (unless you see the product types with the "art tools" on them as the above are labeled) is often commercial grade and is not engineered for this type of product protection or delicate application.

(LOL, I just did a preview of my post and the links to the original images I posted were not working. I looked them over and realized that it had **** ed out the phallic name of one of the biggest art suppliers in the USA. www.d*ckblick.com)

[Colquhoun]

Correct me if I'm wrong OnTheButton, but I think inkjet is more water-based and not solvent or oil based. That means that as long as the inkjet is dry, any oil-based spray should sit on top of the print and not loosen or bleed the image, provided you don't soak the paper with overspray. I'm sure something like a thermal wax-based print or color laser would be far more susceptible to oil-based or solvent-based sprays.

[OnTheButton]

Originally Posted by Colquhoun

Correct me if I'm wrong OnTheButton, but I think inkjet is more water-based and not solvent or oil based. That means that as long as the inkjet is dry, any oil-based spray should sit on top of the print and not loosen or bleed the image, provided you don't soak the paper with overspray. I'm sure something like a thermal wax-based print or color laser would be far more susceptible to oil-based or solvent-based sprays.

No, you are not wrong in theory, I'm just talking from experience, not from hypotheticals.

Inkjets are typically either dye based (indoor) or pigment based (outdoor) inks. Niether are a true "water base" like acrylic or latex paints would be classified as. Nor are they "oil based" as enamels are. You can however clean up most inkjet ink, with water while they are still wet, but they are not considered to fall into the same category.

There are solvent based ink-jets but I doubt this is what we are discussing here. These are large commerical "banner printer" types of ink-jet machines, and the ink and vapors can be very toxic if filters and exhaust systems are not correctly implemented.

Your typical HP, Canon, Epson home style inkjet printer is going to use aqueous inks which can be a mixture of different bases, depending on the color. (i.e. the black may be pigment based, and the colors dye based.)

Of course waiting until they are dry, (as with any artwork) goes without saying, but I guess I could have said it.

History has proven for us, that the "art" line of Krylon sprays are far better suited for the inquired purpose. Their fine spray will not soak or wrinkle the paper, or make the ink run, and go on smoother and are designed to protect artwork and preserve whatever they are printed on.

You might have good results with any type of crystal clear spray, on any type of medium, with any type of printer (so long as you don't try shellac!) I'm just vocalizing what I know works on inkjet prints, rather than trial and error experimentation.

[PocketRocket]

Crystal Clear will work fine on inkjet printed paper. Our art department has used it for years for packaging mock-ups that they've printed using aqueous based inks (similar to what you would use in a home printer.) Start with a couple of light coats for a base and then build on to whatever your preference may be. And you should be able to find Crystal Clear at your local Wal*Mart for $2-something a can; they carry it in Gloss, Satin, and Matte finishes.

Originally Posted by jeffanddina

Potentially stupid question: Was just about to pick up some Krylon Crystal Clear for my inkjet-ed labels (on paper; not vinyl) when it dawned on me.... When this stuff hits the labels, will the ink start bleeding and flowing all over as though I sprayed it witha water bottle? Or will all be fine? I pictured the moisture making the ink run....

Obviously a test spray would be the answer, but if it isn't going to work, I wouldn't mind saving the $5. Hell that's damn near a 6-pack.

Thanks in advanced

[jeffanddina]

thanks a ton everyone for your input..... big help!!!