Digital BW, The Print

Hi Paul,

For matte papers, how does the Grumbacher B77 differ from Print Shield in 
affecting the appearance of the print and providing protection for the print 
surface.  I use Premier Art Print Shield on prints on Entrada Natural and find 
very little difference in appearance after spraying, but some (not sure how to 
quantify how much) protection from smudging and scuffing, but probably not 
enough for glassless framing.    

As an aside, for glassless framing of semigloss prints, Print Shield followed by 
rubbing on a layer of Renaissance Wax (from Light Impressions) seems like a 
reasonably tough combination and gives a relatively negligible change in 
appearance to the print.  But I am currently mostly interested in alternatives 
for matte papers.  Thanks,

Tom Andrews
http://www.wildlandart.com

>snip< 
> See the statements of Ross Merrill, Chief of Conservation at the National
> Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. (USA), below.  In a 1997 speech regarding
> pastel conservation he said as follows regarding fixatives (which these
> are):
> 
> "Today there are a number of alternatives. Krylon Acrylic Varnish B72 is
> used by conservators.  [Krylon no longer makes this, Lascaux Fixativ is the
> only true Rohm & Haas B72 that I know of.] 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..." See <http://www.bmi.net/knapp/iapsmerrill.html> 
> 
> I prefer the Lyson or PremierArt for glossy prints because it is easier to
> get an even spray.  For matte prints the Grumbacher or Lascaux has 
worked
> fine.  Grumbacher is probably the cheapest and most readily available of 
the
> products.  I think it has been used by pastel painters for many years.
> 
> Paul
> www.PaulRoark.com