Top Tips: DIY Spray Booth and Easy Canvas Coating

If you’re a photographer or fine-art printer, chances are you produce a lot of canvas prints. And with that, the need to apply a protective coating, which can be messy and expensive.

However, you don’t need to set aside a large space or spend a lot on a spray booth. In fact, we’ve created a guide to show you how to build a three-sided spray booth for less than $70, that can be accomplished in an afternoon using PVC pipe and plastic sheeting.

You can see the booth in action in the video above, which illustrates the application of Sunset Satin Coating using a high-volume, low-pressure spray gun. To see how easy it is to build a DIY spray booth, check out the video below. You can download a PDF with all of the detailed instructions HERE.

When It Comes to Coating, It’s All About Attitude

Urbanitis-Josh1
“Urbanitis” is a non-digital image taken by photographer Josh Mitchell, who says it was achieved with “one crazy reflection.” Photo courtesy of Josh Mitchell

 

Commercial and fine art photographer Josh Mitchell isn’t afraid of experimenting. In fact, it’s a necessary ingredient in his artistic process. So when LexJet re-released its Sunset Gloss Coating and Sunset Satin Coating, it took some trial and error, but Springfield, Mo.-based Mitchell established a tried-and-true method for getting great results. The key? A fearless attitude.

“With the new chemistry change in the coatings in the fall of 2014, it’s not the same and has to be handled a little bit differently,” Mitchell says. “The goal is one coat. Particularly with the new coating, you want to put it on thicker and faster. You have to be fearless and have an attitude.”

When the next generation of Sunset coatings were released in November 2014, the non-yellowing, pH-neutral water-based acrylic coatings were reformulated to be NMP-free to comply with state and local safety and health regulations. Mitchell, a long-time LexJet customer, says he’s got a “good handle on the combination of LexJet materials and coatings,” since he’s conducted quite a bit of his own testing.

In a fine art application, Mitchell says he seeks to avoid a “plastic-y” look, which is why the single coat application is crucial. “Two coats would be so thick,” he says. “You want to do one coat and let it dry down to a semi-gloss feeling.”

While the coatings can be applied with a brush, roller, or spray, Mitchell’s application tool of choice is a foam roller. The coatings do not need to be diluted or mixed, so they can go right on and spread with the roller. “It goes on thick, and then I roll it out,” Mitchell says.

When coating a large canvas, Mitchell does one section at a time since “this new coating will start to set up fast … much faster than the old coating … you’ve got to keep moving.” While there may be appear to be a hazy finish with streaks when first applied, Mitchell says they’ll disappear to a nice, clear coating.

“You have to have an attitude. Walk up to the canvas and know it’s going to dry down and be OK. Now attack!” he says. “When you’re done, walk away and don’t look back.”

Mitchell’s experiments didn’t stop after the initial application. Once the coated canvases were dry, he set about trying to destroy them.

“The LexJet coating has passed any test I’ve thrown at it,” he says. “I’ve been in 100-degree heat with rolled-up coated canvases, and they do not melt. I’ve been in 0-degree weather, and they do not crack. I’ve submerged coated canvases under water, wrapped them around models, and put them under water for swimsuit-like ads and art. I’ve tried high-pressure garden hoses and sprayed the canvas. It holds up great.”

For those new to using the coatings, Mitchell says, “You cannot give up. I have found that the LexJet coatings will stand up to whatever creative abuse I can come up with. But I know when I’m on the road and I pull out that canvas and unroll it on a buyer’s table, it’s going to make a nice impression.”

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“The Unfolding Moment” by Josh Mitchell. Photo courtesy of Josh Mitchell

Next-Generation Sunset Coatings for Canvas Now Available

Fine Art Print by Color Simulation Service with Sunset Gloss Coating
Randy Orgeron of Color Simulation Service found that Sunset Gloss Coating was easy to work with – it doesn’t set up too fast or too slow and self-levels – even on a large canvas piece, like this 18″ x 54″ fine art reproduction on Sunset Select Matte Canvas.

The next-generation Sunset Gloss Coating and Sunset Satin Coating are now in stock and shipping from LexJet’s Nationwide Delivery Network. The popular coatings have been reformulated to improve canvas coating performance with consistent results that can be applied with a brush, roller or spray.

Sunset Gloss Coating and Sunset Satin Coating are non-yellowing, pH-neutral water-based acrylic coatings that are self-leveling and ready-to-use straight from the easy-to-pour, easy-to-store containers.

Randy Orgeron of Color Simulation Service, Thibodaux, La., provided detailed feedback when he tested the updated formulation of Sunset Gloss Coating on Sunset Select Matte Canvas. Among his findings, Orgeron noted:

  • It rolls on easily with a foam roller
  • There do not seem to be any issues with it gunking up and it lays flat from the offset
  • Initially, the coating turns hazy, like car wax prior to buffing, but becomes crisp and clear
  • There were some bubbles that formed during application; however, once completely dry that concern proved to be unwarranted
  • The finish is gorgeous and really articulates the print, and there were no issues with the coating lifting the ink off the canvas

“The piece I tried this on at first was only an 11×14 canvas. Since the coating tends to set up rather quickly I was interested to see how fast I would have to work to cover a large canvas, and if could go back over missed spots on the first application,” adds Orgeron. “I’ve used other brands that dry so quickly you can only use them on smaller prints. With the Sunset Coating I found that you can keep working it after you apply it, so it’s going to be very effective for all of our prints, large or small.”

Other improvements to Sunset Coatings include:

  • Greater UV protection
  • Increase solid content so you get more coverage out of one container
  • NMP-free to comply with state and local safety and health regulations

Call a LexJet print specialist today at 800-453-9538 to find out more and to order the new Sunset Coatings.

Download the Free Comprehensive Guide to Canvas Printing

Canvas Printing GuideThe new comprehensive guide to canvas printing, How to Make Canvas Printing Work for You, is now available for a free download at www.lexjet.com/canvas-wrap-guide-b1.aspx

The guide takes an in-depth look at…

  • Canvas materials, textures and finishes: A detailed overview of the different inkjet canvas base materials, textures, weights, weaves and finishes available on the market
  • Printers and ink sets: A breakdown of the strengths and weaknesses of aqueous, solvent, latex and UV-curable printer platforms for canvas print production
  • Coating, stretching and wrapping: An examination of software, hardware, tools and methods for the final steps of canvas production

The interactive document also includes links to how-to videos and other resources, as well as detailed instructions on coating canvas with a roller and wrapping canvas with a pre-made DIY stretcher bar kit.

The canvas printing guide has been added to LexJet’s Learning Center, where you can also find guides to…

If you have any questions, or need help with anything, give a LexJet printing specialist a call at 800-453-9538.

How to Make Canvas Printing Work for You, Part 4: Coating Canvas

Dan Johnson Spray Booth
Dan Johnson’s DIY spray booth for canvas and fine-art prints.

As noted in the previous installments about printer selection for canvas printing, it’s recommended that you coat all aqueous-inkjet canvas output. Coating also helps ensure a crack-free, consistent stretch for gallery wrap applications, and it’s important to coat before stretching.

If it’s a short-term application – like a temporary decorative piece – or when using a solvent or latex printer, coating is not necessary unless the customer wants the look of a coated canvas.

Typically, coatings come in either gloss or satin (luster) finishes. Gloss coatings are often used to not only provide additional protection, but to bring out the density of blacks and the vibrancy of the colors in the print.

For a more subdued look and particularly to cut down the glare from high-powered lighting, a satin or luster coating may be preferred. Some will choose not to coat the canvas at all to retain the unique texture and characteristics of the material.

Coatings are available in both spray (aerosol or industrial sprayer) and liquid (can). Sprays from Hahnemuhle and Clearstar Corp., for instance, provide excellent results, though there are other brands available from other companies that specialize in fine-art and photo printing.

Stick with sprays and coatings that are specially formulated for this application, rather than those that are not tested specifically for inkjet prints (Krylon, for example), because the long-term effects of these off-the-shelf sprays on inkjet paper surfaces are unknown.

There are also liquid coating machines available in various widths from companies like Neschen and Marabu. While these machines automate the process and provide an excellent finished product, they require a controlled environment with consistent temperature and humidity, free from dust and dirt.

Coating Canvas
Click on the image to see a video on roller-coating canvas.

Liquid coatings that come in a can, such as Sunset Gloss and Sunset Satin Coatings, can be either rolled on or sprayed using an HVLP (high volume, low pressure) spray gun, which requires a well-ventilated dust-free area.

An HVLP spray gun wastes less coating in overspray than other types of sprayers. It also provides more control over the application process. Some print shops and studios simply don’t have space for spraying, or can’t justify buying specialized coating systems, which is why Sunset Coatings have been formulated to work equally well when applied with a spray gun, brush, or foam roller.

If you’re looking for way to spray on a budget and in limited space, click here to see how Dan Johnson built a space- and money-saving spray booth for his studio.

When rolling coatings on canvas, follow these basic steps:

1. Start with a high-density, white foam roller and a tray that is typically used for holding paints. You can buy these products in the paint department of any home-improvement store. The high-density foam will help reduce bubbles. Use a larger-width roller if you plan to coat larger canvases.

2. Pour the coating into the tray and dip the roller in the coating until it is thoroughly wet, but not too wet.

3. Lay your print on a clean, dust-free board that is bigger than your print. The extra space on the surface around the print can be used to roll off excess liquid if you happen to oversaturate the roller.

4. Consider using two or three thinner coats, instead of one thicker coat.

5. Don’t try to coat the whole print at once. Start with one or two passes at the edge of the print, and go over each pass enough times for the bubbles to dissipate, but not so many times that the coating becomes tacky or bumpy.

6. If large bubbles appear, try blowing on the coating.

7. Make overlapping passes so you can maintain a wet edge and avoid lines and streaks.

8. Find the rolling pattern that works best for you. Some users prefer rolling in one direction only. They go up the print in one pass, and down the print in the second pass (like mowing a lawn).

9. Don’t press down on the roller. Maintain a light, even pressure.

10. If you are applying a second coat, allow the first coat to dry before applying the second coat. A thin coat should take between 10 and 30 minutes to dry. But it will take longer if you’re working in an environment with high humidity.

11. Allow the coated print to dry thoroughly before you pack it for shipping. Don’t try to speed up the drying process with a fan; allow the print to dry on its own.

12. Clean the rollers immediately after each use. Run cool water of the rollers immediately after use, and squeeze them until they run clear. Allow 10 to 15 minutes.  If you keep the rollers clean, you can use them for about six months before you need to replace them.

A couple of important notes about coating canvas:

  • Make sure the ink is dry before applying any coatings. A good rule of thumb is 24 hours. To test whether a print is ready for coating, some printmakers suggest this technique: Lay each print on a flat surface, then cover the print with inexpensive butcher paper. The evaporating glycols will cause ripples to appear in the butcher paper. Periodically replace the wavy butcher paper with a fresh sheet of paper. If no waves appear in the fresh sheet of paper after a few hours, the print will be dry enough to coat.
  • Coat the print before stretching the canvas and wait at least six hours after applying the coating to stretch.
  • As more inks and media types are introduced, it is impossible to predict the compatibility of every combination of media, ink and clear coat. Therefore, it is strongly recommend that you test before use. A test will immediately show any incompatibilities, including water sensitivity, inkjet receptive layer mud cracks, and ink bleeds. Generally, let the tested material dry for at least 24 hours. Evaluate the adhesion, flexibility, and visual appearance. Be realistic in your expectations and simulate the conditions the material will be exposed to. Generally speaking, coatings formulated for wide format printing will work well with both aqueous and solvent prints.

Click here for a video demonstration of coating canvas with a roller.

For the rest of this series, click on the following links:

Part 1: Materials, Finishes and Textures

Part 2: Printer Technologies for Canvas

Part 3: Latex, Solvent and UV-Curable Printing

Part 5: Canvas Wrap Options

How To Video: Coating Canvas by Hand with a Roller

Coating canvas with Sunset Satin CoatingCanvas is a premium product for which your customers are paying a premium price. Taking the extra step of applying a protective coating is a step that everyone producing canvas prints should take to ensure that the print has that extra protection from the mishandling that may occur once it gets into a client’s hands.

Sunset Gloss Coating and Sunset Satin Coating help by adding a tough, flexible layer of protection and contain UV inhibitors for maximum protection against lighting-induced fading. These coatings are typically applied using a high-pressure low-volume (HPLV) spray gun or by hand using a white high density foam roller.

In the video below you will learn how to apply Sunset Gloss or Satin Coating using a roller…