qwertydude
Printing Ninja
- Joined
- May 7, 2009
- Messages
- 522
- Reaction score
- 4
- Points
- 89
I used some hp premium plus high gloss paper and tested for water resistance, none. As soon as water touched it it smeared. Under running water eventually the coating turns to slime and washes off and you're left with a high gloss blank postcard. Unfortunately you can't print on it. Ink lays on it and doesn't dry. So I decided to try some clearcoat. I used Chemguard acrylic clear since it theoretically is uv resistant and is flexible. Well I painted it outdoors and aside from a few specks of dust, which a mini spray booth aka cardboard box can prevent, it looks great no bleeding of colors or change in tint or print quality. Best of all super high gloss comparable to film photo glossies and complete water resistance. Well not complete after washing in running water for 5 minutes, the edges turned white but only about 1/4 mm in. I guess this would be another way to make photos last. I figure a can is good for about 50 4x6 prints for only about $5 it only adds 10 cents to a print. I should just leave it in my window with an original non clear to see if it improves fade resistance I'll report on it later then.