Alcohol ink art is susceptible to fading over time, especially if in direct sunlight. Once you have decided to frame or sell your artworks then it is time to invest in a sealant and a protectant.
If you choose to use Krylon sprays then this is what to use and how to use them for the most effective results with your alcohol ink art.
Whether you need to seal and protect alcohol ink on synthetic paper, tile or glass, the first step is to apply a barrier over the alcohol ink to prevent it from activating and bleeding/moving.
How to seal your alcohol ink art
Step 1: Apply the sealant, Krylon Kamar® Varnish as your first few layers. This is great for it is non-yellowing and acid-free benefits but keep in mind that once this is applied you can no longer rework the ink, it is now set. For effective results, remember to shake the can well before spraying and apply 2-3 thin layers to a single piece of artwork in a well-ventilated area, waiting at least 30mins -1 hour in between coats.
Step 2: Next, you need to apply a UV protectant. If you don’t apply the varnish barrier first then the alcohol inks will react and move, changing the look of your artwork. These are the variants that are known to work effectively with alcohol inks:
- Krylon® UV-Resistant Clear Coating (matte or gloss), or
- Krylon® UV Archival (matte or gloss)
When applying step 2, again be outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Spray 2-3 light coats and allow an hour of drying time in between layers.
Optional Step 3: If you don’t intend on framing your artwork behind glass then you might like to consider adding 2 coats of glaze/gloss such as Krylon® Crystal Clear Triple Thick Glaze. This will help to give the piece shine and an additional layer of protection.
reminders
- Allow the alcohol ink art painting to dry at least 48-72 hours before sealing it with 2-3 light coats of Kamar Krylon varnish.
- Then to prevent damage from UV rays, finish with 2-3 coats of Kamar UV protectant, following the manufacturer’s wait times between recoats for best results.
Video Credit: Laurie Williams from the Alcohol Ink Community
But if you would like less steps & Less Cans, there are alternatives to Krylon
Yes, there are other options! Whilst there is a lot of talk amongst the alcohol ink community about the use of Krylon sprays for sealing and protecting alcohol ink art, they involve a multi-step, multi-can process. By contrast, the MTN PRO Acrylic Varnish can both protect and seal alcohol ink art/paintings with the same can and provide the same benefits. You can read more about that here.