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There’s a print spray that anyone making inkjet prints needs to know about – Premier Art’s Print Shield ($15 for a 400ml that can cover approximately 75 8"x10” prints). It’s a UV water-resistant lacquer that comes in a variety of finishes – matte, semi-gloss,and glossy. It offers protection from light, water, moisture, airborne contaminants and fingerprints. It doesn’t produce any visible changes in the print, either in color or density or surface. It dries fast and doesn’t have a strong odor. It reduces burnishing and scuffing somewhat. Most importantly, it greatly increases longevity, in some cases by as much as 200 percent.

Henry Wilhelm has tested prints sprayed with Print Shield (sample data below). Visit wilhelm-research.com for his most current data on longevity.

Without Print Shield        With Print Shield            Paper with Epson UltraChrome Ink

62 years                              145 years                           Somerset Velvet for Epson   
61 years                                82 years                           Epson Velvet Fine Art Paper

I spray all of my prints with Print Shield now.

Just like spraying a pastel, apply the fixative carefully. If the substrate gets soaked the surface may darken permanently. Instead of spraying the print directly, spray the air above the print and let the mist fall onto the print surface. Let the print dry for a few minutes. Then reapply.

Read the latest from professional photographer John Paul Caponigro on PDNGearGuide.com as he reviews photo-related products that he’s tested for his own creative work. His reviews include ColorThink software, Premier Art™ Print Shield—a lacquer-based spray for inkjet prints, SoLux bulbs and the ExpoDisc Flat White Balance filter, just to name a few.