advise on inkjet print outs

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daveym
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advise on inkjet print outs

Post by daveym »

Unfortunately I only have a run of the mill A3 HP inkjet printer although compared to past printers i've had, it does do some lovely prints. So far I've never used this printer for anything that i've considered selling, but would now like to use some prints as a backdrop behind some models that I'm wanting to place into deep box frames with the possibility of selling these if they come out well enough.

Can anyone advise on good quality matt A3 inkjet papers and a good thickness of paper that would be most appropriate. Also a good UV fixing spray would be required so as to prevent any damage from light. Is this what others do or do most framers use laser printers for their work or alternatively do most use the higher grade epson inkjet printer that use the durabrite inks ? I would look to upgrade to an epson if I can see my frames selling but would prefer to go with what I have available for the time being.

I look forward to any advise.
baughen
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Re: advise on inkjet print outs

Post by baughen »

You might be interested in the next FATG London branch meeting on 21st February at the Reigate Manor Hotel. The following is taken from the invitation:

“Focusing on Photography”
Presentations by our well known and well respected members Tony Walker of Lion Picture Framing Supplies, Ken Sethi of Genesis Imaging and Ian Dixon GCF(APF) Adv.
Join us for a round table discussion covering the pleasures and pitfalls of presenting modern photographic prints – the five “P’s” of framing!
Get involved and share your experiences of mounting and framing photographic prints - old and new; good and bad. Discuss best practice as new technology evolves: which tapes; which adhesive; which mount board? The use of stretcher moulding, tray, float and readymade frames. Your experiences are important.
Wednesday 21 February 2018 at 7pm
Reigate Manor Hotel, RH2 9PF

Members £10.00; Non-members £15.00, pay at the door
Hot and cold finger buffet included, drinks at the bar.
New to the industry? Join us and benefit from both our discussions and the networking opportunities of our meetings and to see how membership can offer ongoing support to your career in our industry – for more details contact Andy Goodall, Branch Organiser.
Please let us know if you are able to attend by email andy.goodall@btconnect.com or call 01420 88482
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prospero
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Re: advise on inkjet print outs

Post by prospero »

I'm not a great expert on printing, but I don't think there is such a thing as UV fixing spray.

Any UV rating on sprays refers to how the spray itself stands up to sunlight.
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Not your average framer
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Re: advise on inkjet print outs

Post by Not your average framer »

You need to talk to Hot Press, or one of the other suppliers of self adhesive laminating films. Some of these films are specified as having a high level of UV blocking. I have used one of the Hot Press films on artworks placed in my shop window for a very long time and the UV blocking considerably improves the longevity of the artwork.
Mark Lacey

“Life is short. Art long. Opportunity is fleeting. Experience treacherous. Judgement difficult.”
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poliopete
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Re: advise on inkjet print outs

Post by poliopete »

Wow baughen that looks to be a great event and well worth the money. Thanks for posting :D

If there was a similar event closer to me say, 60/70 miles or so I would jump at the chance with alacrity.

Peter
astraios
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Re: advise on inkjet print outs

Post by astraios »

Regarding paper check your printers manual what is the thickest paper you can run trough the printer and order that. If this is a home desktop printer, selection of fine art papers can be limited (if any). Information about different supported media is in your printer manual.

You can get UV fixing sprays in art supply stores. Some brands offer sprays especialy for prints but even sprays for acrylic painting colors can be used. You need to do some testing on different media to see what works the best.

Lamination is a beter aproach but you didn’t mention if you have laminator or vacuum press.

Laser prints don’t have durability of inkjet but also home desktop inkjets have short durability when exposed to elements and compared to “professional” inks. You should check specifications of inks you are using.

Did you consider to outsource prints to your local fine art print studio? This can be the easiest approach.
daveym
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Re: advise on inkjet print outs

Post by daveym »

thanks for yall your replies.

I havn't thought about outsourcing because alot of what I do is personalised so I need to be able to do it there and then and then frame the finished piece. I'm just working on samples at the moment for some ideas I have for 3d box frames. I used to be a garment printer and have recently thought about printing onto fabric rather than using inkjet prints as certain fabrics when printed wouldn't lose the quality under conditions such as sunlight but my issue is if I was not to use a mount and just framing a sculture with a fabric printed backing bahind it directly onto the backing board I wouldn't no how best to attach it as it would flop and crease unless held down with something. I've tried normal glues around edges of fabric and the glue comes through.I could staple the fabric but it's a bit of a long process and needs to be perfectly straight so again I'm at a loss as to how I could do this say in place of using inkjet paper or card.
daveym
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Re: advise on inkjet print outs

Post by daveym »

Sorry to add to this post but I've still been on the hunt for a good fixing sealer for inkjet prints and everything I've come across has a load of hardful chemicals and toxins. I can't possibly continue to use these sprays long term so was wondering if there were any finishing sealers that I could directly paint over the inkjet prints. I'm not sure if the likes of Mod podge is a sealer preventing discolouration over time from sunlight?

I use a standard HP officjet 7500 inkjet printer. For the moment can't upgrade to anything that might have pigmented inks so ideally need a way of sealing print outs on this printer.
lawrieh
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Re: advise on inkjet print outs

Post by lawrieh »

My advice is not to use an ordinary inkjet printer unless its a "giclee" printer. The difference is the ink. Normal inkjets use "dye" inks which might last a few weeks or months before noticeable fading. "Giclee" printers are much the same mechanically but use "pigment" inks, these generally have between 70yrs and 200yrs of permanence when glazed in a normal room. For more info read the free reports on an American website... http://www.wilhelm-research.com/

Apparently for paper most of it comes from 2 or 3 giant specialised paper mills that most of the manufacturers use, although recipes and specs for different papers will vary according to requirements (optical brighteners used or not, cotton or wood fibre in the paper, surface texture etc).

For reasonably priced quality paper try St Cuthberts/Somerset (british company and mill) or Permajet.... Permajet also offer a varnish you roll on in 3 different finishes (matt, satin, gloss) that provides UV protection and increases colour saturation, obviously non reversible... Other manufactures also offer similar varnishes, its easily applied with a foam roller. I have not tried the sprays.
daveym
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Re: advise on inkjet print outs

Post by daveym »

many thanks for all the replies.

Thanks Lawrieh for your valued input regarding the difference between dye and pigment. For the moment I'm sticking with dye based purely as I've never had anyissues when printing with due based as long as the media is stored correctly. I've printed photos and had them stored away and never had any loss in quality although if the same image was placed in sunlight for sometime then I'm sure I'd see a difference. I'm framing my prints in a deep box frame and the prints are part of a backdrop so aren't touching or close to the front glass so should avoid any condesation etc. I think as long as left directly out of sunlight prints should remain for some time. As youmentioned, the quality of paper also play a large part.With regards to A4/A3 paper, is there a general standard weight for matt paper suitable for dye printers with the intention of framing? I purchased 200gsm paper that verged on paper/card and my printer doesn't seem to like it. Seems just a little heavy.
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