inkAID Clear Matte Precoat 473ml (16oz)

inkAID Clear Matte Coating

inkAid Clear Matte Coating is an inkjet-receptive coating primarily used for coating papers and other porous substrates such as fabric, canvas, or any material that can pass through a printer. This is the same coating found on commercially produced clear matte or satin finish inkjet media.

Key Features

• Provides excellent print quality, producing clear vibrant colours with deep blacks
• Adds minimal thickness to the media, ensuring substrates pass through the printer smoothly
• Water-based and safe to use, similar to artist mediums and grounds. Always use with adequate ventilation and refer to the Safety Data Sheet for more information

Usage Instructions for inkAID Clear Matte Coating

• Optimal Temperature - all inkAID coatings work best at 70°F to 80°F, from initial stirring to application
• Read and follow the directions on the label
• Make sure all of your tools and brushes are clean and dry before beginning work
• Always check your printer specifications to determine the maximum media thickness for your printer
• Always stir the coating gently, but thoroughly, from the bottom of the container using a clean dry spatula or large spoon
• inkAID Clear Matte coating cleans up with water, even after drying. Wear appropriate clothing and work in area suitable for painting
• Never work directly from the container. Always pour a working amount of inkAID Matte coating into another clean container. Never pour unused coating back into the container
• Store inkAID Clear Matte coating in a cool, dry environment above 65F. Never allow the coating to freeze
• The final appearance of your print will depend on how much coating is on the surface of the substrate. Be sure to thoroughly coat the entire surface of the substrate
• It is the inkjet receptive coating that absorbs most of the ink and properly positions the ink droplets to create the print
• Porous substrates like paper, fabric, and canvas will absorb some of the coating into the material but enough is left on the surface to provide excellent printability. When getting started with a new substrate test a few small pieces
• inkAID coatings will impart a slightly stiffer hand to lighter-weight papers and fabrics.

Applying inkAID Clear Matte Coating

• inkAID Clear Matte coating can be applied with a foam brush, good quality bristle brush, coating rod, or a Paasche VLS Airbrush sprayer
• When applying with a brush a good practice is to work in one direction and then again at a 90 degree angle to ensure complete coverage
• inkAID Clear Matte coating is self-leveling so brush strokes can’t be included in the inkjet receptive coating layer. Brush strokes and other embellishments can be added with the post print top coating step
• A coating rod is a very easy and precise way to apply the coating. Visit the Coating Rod product page to access a short video that demonstrates the process
• Porous substrates like paper will absorb water and swell. This can cause slight curling upon drying
• You can tape the substrate down to a working surface by using de-tackified blue painters tape. Coat the sheet and let it dry in place. De-tackify the tape by sticking it to cloth and pulling it off. This will add some fibers to the tape a reduce the adhesion. This will help protect the surface of your substrate when the tape is removed
• Another way is to hang the wet coated substrate from a thin wire (using metal clips or clothespins to hold it in place) allowing gravity to pull it down and remain flat as it dries. Additional metal clips can be placed to the bottom of the hanging substrate to add additional weight
• If the substrate is still curled after drying, it can be pressed flat using several methods. One is to place it between two flat pieces of material such as plexiglas and loading a heavy weight on it overnight or for a few days. Another way would be to put sheets of parchment paper above and below the coated sheets and use a heat press or warm iron. Sheets can also be flattened by holding the top and bottom and running them over the edge of a table or counter top
• Larger sheets can be reversed rolled (coated side out) onto a 4 or 6 inch diameter cardboard tube to remove curl.

A Few Tips About Printing

• To print on very lightweight papers or fabrics you may have to attach them to a carrying sheet. A carrying sheet supports and stabilizes the coated substrate so you'll print exactly where you want to on the sheet. Visit the Carrying Sheet product page to access a short video that shows how to set up and use a carrying sheet
• The printer settings should be initially set to 'matte' media. But because you are working with a custom substrate you should test several different media settings to find the best one.

Post Print Coatings (Top Coatings)

• Top coatings, applied after printing, are used to provide the final finish to your print. They also provide scratch resistance, water resistance and UV and ozone resistance which maintains the color (lightfastness) of the fine art print.
• A solvent-based top coating must be used over inkAID Clear Matte coating because it is not water-resistant