Spray Sealants for Alcohol Inks

Because the inks are dyes, and not pigments, they are not completely lightfast. So, in time, they can start to fade from exposure to direct sunlight. We're talking direct sunlight for hours a day, over a long period of time, but it can happen.

To protect them from fading, it is a good idea to seal them with a clear UV-resistant spray. However, these sprays contain a lot of alcohol and can reactivate your inks, even causing them to move or drip. So, it's best to first spray with a couple VERY LIGHT coats (at least 8 - 12 inches away) of Karmar Varnish, which contains less alcohol. However, if you spray too close or get it too wet, even the Kamar Varnish can reactivate the inks, so be careful.

Process to protect your alcohol ink art with spray varnishes from Krylon:

Kamar Varnish: 2 VERY LIGHT coats, letting it dry 20 - 30 minutes in between coats,

THEN

UV-Resistant Spray: 2 - 3 light coats, letting it dry 20 - 30 minutes in between coats

***IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE: ALWAYS use these products OUTDOORS, as the fumes are hazardous, and if trapped in a confined space, can also be flammable.

Krylon Kamar Varnish

Krylon UV-Resistant Spray