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Will it last?

Like all printmaking and photographic processes, digital media remain vulnerable to water sensitivity, fading caused by UV exposure and airborne pollutants, surface abrasion, dirt, etc.

Unless planning to frame and mount your work behind glass, some form of final protection is strongly recommended. Without it, a print can be easily damaged and its longevity greatly shortened. To accomplish this, there are a few choices.

GOLDEN Gel Topcoats:

Whether used as part of a final layer in a piece, or applied solely for protection at the end, the Gel Topcoats will provide substantial UV protection while lowering the risk of water and chemical sensitivity as well as direct exposure to environmental elements. However, because they are water-based, care must be taken when applying them over any water-sensitive materials or substrates, including those coated with the Digital Ground Clear (Gloss) or Digital Ground for Non-Porous Surfaces.

Always test for your application and if any blurring or lifting of color occurs then take steps to initially seal the surface with either GOLDEN Archival or MSA Varnish.

While Gel Topcoats offer protection against fading, prints will remain susceptible to dirt collection over time, as well as potential surface damage from handling or shipping. For best practice and to address longer-term concerns of cleaning and conservation, apply a removable GOLDEN varnish, such as MSA Varnish, Archival Varnish or Polymer Varnish as the final layer.

GOLDEN MSA, Archival or Polymer Varnish:

All of the GOLDEN varnishes will provide UV protection and lower water sensitivity, along with the advantage of being removable for cleaning and conservation purposes. As mentioned above, they can be used in conjunction with the Gel Topcoats to provide additional protection. If used in place of the Topcoats, however, it is best to first apply a non-removable isolation coat whenever possible.

If applying a varnish directly to the print, we recommend starting with Gloss to seal the surface then switching to whatever sheen one desires. Detailed, complete instructions for applying any of these varnishes can be found on our Web site, see Varnishing Resources.

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