Digital BW, The Print

Last summer I did a series of trial coatings of inkjet prints, Piezo prints, using a variety of varnishes. At the time the one I found the easiest to apply was a water-based, exterior varnish by Varathane. This is a high density polyurethane coating. Initial appearances were very good.

Robert Morrison cautioned me that the polyurethane were the most likely to yellow of all the coatings being tried at the time. I was skeptical but time (and a relatively short time of 8 months) has shown that Robert was right. Not only has the Varathan yellowed strongly but unevenly so that the prints look a bit mottled. The prints coated with the Golden acrylic varnishes show no sign of yellowing. The vinyl coatings are out touring the countryside and I will have to wait until they return to see how they are holding up.

So if you are experimenting with coatings, definitely avoid the polyurethane, unless of course you do want an aged yellow effect.

Martin Wesley


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