Liquid veneer for photos

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Wed 18 Oct, 2006 6:27 pm

Hi,

I've been asked to make up an amount of float type frames for a l photographer,mainly large panoramics of local scenes etc.

I don't have any hot mount eqpt at the moment and was wondering if anyone has advice regarding "Liquid veneer?" I've seen some here

http://www.designsupply.com/liquidlaminators.htm

which seems to be what I'm after,any thoughts on the subject folks?.

Regards,Mike

Post by **John** » Wed 18 Oct, 2006 7:44 pm

Hi Mike, I'm not sure that I understand the job you are trying to do.

I suspect that you are referring to block mounting, where the image is bonded to a piece of 10mm (or so) MDF of identical size without frame or glass, but I'm not sure. Can you give us more detail?

Sorry, I have no experience with the product you mention, but from the description it would appear to offer plenty of opportunities for disaster. I would be very concerned about streaking, air bubbles, and dust.

You would be well advised to try a few practise runs with your own prints before using it on your customer's pictures.

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Wed 18 Oct, 2006 7:56 pm

Hi John,

Yep,that's exactly the proposal!,after the bond,I want to achieve a protective surface to the images,and then block 'em. I know I should be looking to use a laminate but the business is new and doesn't stretch to that sort of expense yet.

Thanks,Mike.

neiljustframes · Post by **neiljustframes** » Wed 18 Oct, 2006 8:00 pm

mike, get in touch with lion, they also sell this product and would give advice on it , regards

Roboframer · Post by **Roboframer** » Wed 18 Oct, 2006 8:14 pm

Mike wrote:
I know I should be ........ but

Thanks,Mike.

In other words you know you are looking at a method that you maybe should NOT be .....

Can the photographer reproduce his images on canvas - or can YOU get them canvas bonded so you can do a 'gallery wrap' or blocked canvas?

I would turn the job away - it's trouble!

Lemon_Drop · Post by **Lemon_Drop** » Wed 18 Oct, 2006 10:46 pm

I don't know about it either, but the I read some of the stuff on the website, what puts me off it is the mix ratio, you have 50% water, thats going to take a long time to evaporate especially it the photos are big. Plus when their drying how do you keep dust and dirt from falling on them. If you use some type of heat to speed up the drying process will it cause the photos to cockle. As for using a vacuum press of a hardbed press, theres problems with those also on account of the heat effecting some inks used on inkjet printers. Given a choice I would rather use a cold roller system. But maybe the stuff works just as good as anything, its aimed at the job your doing. Quote from the site: "Glamour™ II must be used on water-resistant inkjet media only" It seems like its a water based varnish. Some of the professional photo labs here will block mount a photo 30x20 or 40x30, maybe thats another option. Sorry I can't really help you, but maybe others have uses similar products and had good results with them.

Framing Norah · Post by **Framing Norah** » Thu 19 Oct, 2006 7:29 am

Here is the UK site for this product.

They have provided a video demo in both PC and Mac formats. My Media Player ran the wmv file with sound only, no picture, but I was able to have both when I played it on Irfanview.

With a bit of practice, Glamour II could be the right solution for Mike.

Not for the faint-hearted though!

Post by **John** » Tue 24 Oct, 2006 12:13 pm

Karl Bray of Paper & Canvas Ltd has sent me some additional information on Glamour II, and how to use it.

Glamour II should absolutely only be used on water resistant media to avoid 'smudging' of the inks. In our experience it is most commonly used for coating prints on canvas which can be done very effectively with a good quality roller foam applicator. It is possible to coat 'paper' prints and for this we tend to recommend a spray application (HVLP system) to avoid physical contact with the inks, as papers are commonly not as resistant to moisture as canvas. We would always recommending running a test first.

As a water based product Glamour II is a healthier and more user friendly product to work with than solvent based alternatives.

Regarding drying times, Glamour II typically takes 40 minutes to an hour to dry depending on conditions and actually dries quicker when diluted.

Lemon_Drop · Post by **Lemon_Drop** » Tue 14 Nov, 2006 12:32 am

Did you try it, Mike, or has anyone else used it before? It,s amazing all the information you can get on that Glamour II product, with websites, emails to people on this forum etc. telling you the best way to use it. Its a pity John that along with all the extra information, that they did not send you a drop of it also, then you could inform us if it was any good or not. Im amazed at how backward some company's are in promoting their products in the framing sector, do they think they are going to sell all by itself. The only two that I have seen to do anything in the last year, is HotPress and that guy from, well I think hes from Colormount, well everyone knows who I mean,the guy with the tape promotion. At least those two target the end users and are not afraid to hear what we have to say about the product be it good or bad. As soon as a new product comes on the market in the decorative glass business, we are bombarded for weeks with emails, promotional leaflets etc. before its launch. Then have samples of it on launch day. One week later, emails and phones start ringing, asking us if its better then this or that, and if we would use it, its the same at trade shows, in Italy last year, if we were to take all the promotional stuff, catalogues, handouts, samples etc. it would fill a big suitcase. As for Glamour II, I will continue when block mounting photos, to drymount & heatseal, or using inkjet photos use a cold roller method. I relly cant believe how backward this industry is when it comes to promotions. Go into and chemist and just pass the make-up section, the amount of people trying out different types of products, and if you dont know how to use it , theres a trained person there to show you. WARNING : If you intend to go there on the weekends, bring a gas mask, the smell of perfume is overpowering.

Keith Hewitt · Post by **Keith Hewitt** » Tue 14 Nov, 2006 8:02 am

Dear Lemon Drop,

I want to make it clear I was and never intended to"promote" the deep bevel tapes.I was just doing some market research. We at Colourmount are not framers. We had the concept of tapes and needed to know ....
1) How would framers use them, just to cover bevels or to wrap moulding as well.
2) We needed guidance on width and length
3) Packaging - we got some useful comments. Thanks to those framers who took the trouble to make their suggestions which we adopted.
So as a result of my original question we got a lot of useful info.

I want to see this Forum thrive and eventually compare with the USA site.
As a manufacturer I am concious that we must not use the site for brazen product promotion. I wish more manufacturers would post. I wish more framers would post.
So to all those who are just reading and have something useful to say - go ahead and make a post. This site does not "byte" !!

Keith Hewitt
Colourmount Board

Lemon_Drop · Post by **Lemon_Drop** » Tue 14 Nov, 2006 8:01 pm

Aww! its Kieth. I'm useless at remembering names. As I see it, the the tapes were given out free of charge in return for some feedback on the product, if its what framers want or if the product can be improved, and what improvments can be made, if any. I thought then and still do that it was a great idea. The main point I was making about that Glamour 11 is that if we had the same oppertunity of using it like your tapes, more framers would maybe use it, or then again throw it it the trash can. I really think out of 295 registered users on this forum, that none of them use the product at all.
Getting back to the tapes, the the main question you wanted answered is if the product is good enough as it is or what improvments can be made to it, so framers buy it. I think this forum compares equally with the Framers Grumble, if i did not, I would not waste my time being on it, plus some american framers are on this forum also, so they also think its worthwhile. Im also on the American forum but mainly use the chatroom there. The point you make about using this or any other forum for " blazen product promotion" can be a double edged sword, if you produce its not as good as its hyped up to be, framers on here will say so, suddenly the market slips out from under your feet. I agree that it would be alot better if more manufacturers and wholesalers would post instead of lurking, or even Rosie, from the FATG