Quick Tip: How to Hand-roll Liquid Coating

If your next print is going to be exposed to the elements or needs extra handling — like wrapping it on stretcher bars — you’ll want to add a protective layer of coating to keep that print looking sharp for a longer duration. This is especially true for images and graphics output on an aqueous printer.

Liquid coating is a cost-effective option for print protection, and is especially handy for canvas prints that need to be gallery wrapped. Check out the video above to see how easy it is to get a consistent, even application of liquid coating that looks great and lasts.

At LexJet, we’ve got the most comprehensive line of print protection products from the brands you know and love: Marabu ClearShield and Sunset. Check out our Print Protection page and browse through out “Water Based Liquid” coatings to see all the options for everything from canvas and photos to signage and wallpaper.

Opt for a gloss option to bring out the density in blacks and a matte finish to cut down on glare. We’ve also got options for anti-graffiti and transit graphics.

A few more hand-rolling tips:

  • When rolling, opt for a high-density white foam roller to help reduce bubbling — these come in a variety of widths for your needs
  • When rolling on the coating, opt for two thinner coats, rather than one thick one
  • Overlap your coating in a few passes, but not so many that the coating becomes tacky or bumpy
  • Small bubbles should dissipate, but if you get larger ones, try blowing on them to remove them
  • Rinse your roller until the water runs clear, and you’ll be able to reuse your roller for about six months

Not sure which coating to choose? Give us a call at 800-453-9538 for some expert advice.

The Go-To Matte Canvas for High-End Art Prints

Over the years, customers have turned, time and again, to LexJet Sunset Reserve Matte Canvas, to produce vibrant, fine-art and photo-realistic graphics on a smooth matte canvas finish that offers a high-quality, lasting image.

The poly-cotton blend and neutral-white finish deliver consistent imaging for a variety of commercial graphics, as well as fine-art and photographic reproductions. LexJet Sunset Reserve Matte Canvas was developed to produce great colors without optical brighteners.

“I loved the texture of that for art prints; I like the tooth it has on it,” Andy Wredberg of AW Artworks said in this post.

It’s also been a long-time favorite for Hawaii-based Chromaco, thanks to its wide color gamut and Dmax that deliver bright and bold art reproductions. Adding Sunset Gloss Coating protects the canvas for gallery wraps that have become increasingly popular, Chromaco says. Check out their work here.

Customer favorite LexJet Sunset Reserve Matte Canvas also has a new lower price. Watch the video above for details, or go here to learn more.

 

Shop the LexJet Memorial Day Sale

Today through Monday, May 29, take 30% off MSRP select LexJet products. During our Memorial Day Sale, you can save on a variety of our best-selling products for canvas, outdoor signage, photo reproduction, coating and more!

Click the product links below to learn more about these products and start saving now:

Aqueous

Solvent/Latex

Coating

You can shop all weekend and into the Memorial Day holiday, or call your LexJet rep today to learn more at 800-453-9538.

VIDEO: Insider Tips for Rolling Coatings on Canvas

If you’re in the business of printing canvas, you likely understand the importance of adding a coating to aqueous-printed canvas media. A coating stops the canvas from cracking and provides consistent results when stretching the finished piece.

Even if you’re using solvent or latex ink, a coating is not necessary, but it can be helpful to create a certain look, like a satin or glossy finish that can intensify colors in the finished print.

A favorite application process is with a simple roller, which works great with Sunset Gloss and Sunset Satin Coatings.

Sunset Coatings Featured in Sign & Digital Graphics Magazine

blog-sunset-coatings-news

In the February edition of Sign & Digital Graphics magazine, LexJet’s Sunset Gloss Coating and Sunset Satin Coating were highlighted in the publication’s “Product Reviews,” under “Coatings for Canvas.”

In November, we released the next generation of the two coatings to offer easier application, a clear, crisp finish, greater UV protection and a formula that is NMP-free and complies with safety and health regulations.

We’re thrilled to receive the press coverage, and we’d love to hear from our customers, too. Have you tried the new Sunset Gloss Coating and/or Sunset Satin Coating? Please tell us about your experience in the comments below.

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.