Digital BW, The Print

Tom,

>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 think it is the same.  The main difference in my view is that the
PremierArt or Lyson products have a nozzle that spreads the spray a little
better.  This is relevant for glossy prints but does not seem to be
important for matte papers.

>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. 

I agree.  I think it is usually worth the protection.

On the other hand, on one UltraSmooth print I measured a significant dmax
reduction from a spray.  I'm not sure if this was an anomaly or what.  I'm
going to do some tests on this paper before I spray it again.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.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