Tips for Applying Hahnemuhle Protective Spray to Inkjet Prints

HahnemuhleProtectiveSprayHahnemuhle Protective Spray is a non-toxic, spray-on coating that is particularly well-suited for photographers and artists who need to protect small quantities of prints produced on desktop photo printers. The spray seals the print surface and protects it from dirt, fingerprints, moisture, and other environmental hazards. While the spray makes prints more resistant to water, scratches, and the damaging effects of UV light, it is completely transparent and doesn’t influence the colors on the paper.

Product literature that Hahnemuhle distributed at their booth at the PhotoPlus Expo show in October included some practical advice for using the spray:

•         Spray the coating directly onto the image and allow it to air dry.

•         To ensure that the print is fully protected, apply three light coats: one vertical, one horizontal, and one corner to corner.

•         To provide maximum protection to prints that won’t be mounted or framed, apply the coating to both the front and back of the paper.

•         Use the spray to protect both glossy and matte prints. The finish of the spray mimics the base media, meaning that a gloss or luster paper will remain glossy or lustrous even after it has been sprayed. A matte paper or fine-art media will absorb the spray into the surface, retaining the non-reflective finish of the surface.

According to Hahnemuhle, each 400-ml aerosol can will provide two to three protective coats on up to twenty 8.5 x 11-in. images.

At LexJet, we encourage customers to apply the coatng in a well-ventilated area. We also recommend spraying a light coat on some small test prints first to get a feel for how much you should apply and how much time it takes each coat to dry.  

You can order Hahnemuhle Protective Spray from LexJet or through the accessories section in the online store on the www.hahnemuhledirect.com website.

If you need to protect a higher volume of larger prints, including prints on canvas, ask a LexJet account specialist to tell you more about liquid clearcoats such as Sunset Gloss and Sunset Satin coatings. These coatings can either be brushed on, rolled on with a high-density foam roller, or applied with a spray gun. Because the coatings are self-leveling, the applied coatings have a uniform thickness and appearance, without visible strokes from the roller or brushes.

Call 800-453-9538 and we’ll be happy to answer any specific questions you may have about Hahnemuhle Protective Spray or the Sunset Coatings.

Read more about Sunset Coatings in the post entitled Clearcoating Inkjet Photo and Art Prints