Can I use GOLDEN Gel Medium to protect printed images done on watercolor paper?
One of the drawbacks of using the gels directly on the prints is they are waterbased. Commonly the inks used are water-resoluble and thus the images can be easily smeared when the gels are directly applied. You may have observed a blurring of the image.

Our recommendation is to use the GOLDEN MSA Varnish Gloss as a sealer. Thinned as directed, and applied until a dried film remains glossy (commonly several coats are required for absorbent surfaces like watercolor paper), you should be able to apply the Gels with greater control and without the risk of resolublizing the inks.

The MSA Varnish is a mineral spirit-based acrylic resin offering excellent UV protection. It is non-yellowing and remains flexible. Once the gels are applied, you can use the varnish sheen of your choice as a final coating.

I have an oil pigment based serigraph edition of 300 prints and am searching for the best varnish system. On the MSA label it says GAC 500 can be used as a sealer before using the MSA Varnish. I ordered a gallon and noticed it is an acrylic polymer emulsion (water soluble) and want to make sure I can apply the MSA Gloss Varnish (mineral spirit or turpentine soluble) over the GAC 500.
Disregard the issue of spray-applying or brushing an "isolation" coat before varnishing, as this is more so for acrylic canvas paintings, and not for oil based artist paints or litho inks. I would be concerned of long term adhesion of the GAC 500 to the litho inks, as the acrylics and MSA bond exceptionally well. Apply MSA Varnish Gloss Coats first, then a final satin or matte coat if desired.

Once you have completed the gloss coats, you may be able to shorten the time, if time is a factor, before applying the satin or matte coat(s) by accelerating the drying time. Increasing room temperature, decreasing humidity, and adding some airflow can do this. The more you can control these conditions, the faster the gloss coats can cure well enough before applying the satin or matte.

We do understand this is time consuming, but we feel it is well worth the initial effort in the long run, as the MSA will aid in the overall quality and longevity of the prints.

Can you varnish ink jet prints?
Several companies and many artists use our MSA Varnish with great success on ink jet prints to offer water resistance and excellent UV protection. In some cases, these clients will add texture with a gel (MSA or water-based) and even enhance color with essentially all of our acrylic paint lines.