Digital BW, The Print

<paul.roark@v...> wrote:

>A light fixative (three very light coats) is not a big deal to me.
It has no effect on the image, but the pigs don't rub off easily.  I
can easily do this in my garage with no breathing or equipment.
There are aerosols that are very archival and work fine.<

bjpm77 <fnbjm1@...> wrote:

>What fixatives are you using? I'd like to give an archival aerosol a
>try. As you point out, the surface of matte paper is touchy. If you
>make images with dark grounds, as I often do, scuffing is especially
>apparent.

Ross Merrill, Chief of Conservation at the National Gallery of Art,
Washington D.C. (USA), in a 1997 speech regarding pastel conservation said
as follows regarding fixatives:

"Today there are a number of alternatives. Krylon Acrylic Varnish B72 is
used by conservators. This product will remain unchanged for 400 years, but
does have a tendency to saturate the surface. Grumbacher B77 varnish or
"tough film" is the same as B72, but will not saturate. Krylon workable
fixative and Sennelier fixative are both good products. One should stay away
from Grumbacher's "blue label" fixative." See
<http://www.bmi.net/knapp/iapsmerrill.html>

I think the most well know and acknowledged "archival" fixative is Rohm &
Haas's Paraloid B72.  This patented formula is now available as the Lascaux
(a Swiss company) "Fixativ."  Outlets that supply the preservation and
conservation types will have it.

I cannot find the Krylon equivalents that Merrill referred to.  My
assumption is that when Krylon was acquired by a larger company that company
decided to no longer pay Rohm & Haas royalties for the patented formula.
I'd guess that Krylon Kamar is so close as to be a complete substitute.
However, since that company will not disclose any proprietary information or
tests, there is some uncertainty.

I have not tried the Grumbacher B77, but that is certainly one on my list.

Frankly, I suspect even Lyson Print Guard and lots of others are essentially
the same product.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com