Almost anything that fits through your printer—fine art and handmade papers, metals, fabric, canvas, wood veneer, plastic, and glass. Always check your printer’s max media thickness.

PYes. inkAID supplied these coatings to Golden Artist Colors, who marketed them as Golden Digital Grounds.

Any inkjet printer with pigment or dye-based inks. For image transfers using Transfer Film, use pigment-based inks only.

Almost any surface—paper (even handmade), fabrics, canvas, metal, tile, and pottery.

For clear coatings, choose a gloss setting; for white matte coatings, use a matte setting. Experiment to find the best match for your coated substrate.

Use within one year. Store in a cool, dry place (65–75°F) and never freeze.

No. They’re the same coatings used in commercial inkjet media, without optical brighteners. Use archival substrates, pigment inks, and UV-protective finishes for best longevity.

Yes. inkAID works over or under encaustic wax and adheres well to acrylic grounds, mediums, and paints.

About 200–250 sq. ft. per gallon, depending on your application method and substrate type.

It's as easy as applying the coating, drying, and printing!

Always work with clean tools and brushes.

inkAID coatings are usually applied with a foam brush or good quality bristle brush. It's important to apply a sufficient amount of wet coating to the substrate for good printability. When starting out, perform a few "test applications" on new substrates to determine the optimum amount of coating required. A good practice is to apply the wet coating in one direction and then apply it again at a 90 degree angle. You could also use a stainless steel coating rod, or a Paasche VLS Airbrush. Allow the coating to dry completely, usually overnight, before printing. Some papers will curl slightly after drying so be sure to flatten your substrate before printing.

Yes. Using a clean metal spatula or mixing spoon stir all inkAID coatings gently but thoroughly from the bottom of the container. Don’t shake the bottles, doing so may incorporate air bubbles that may dry on your substrate and disrupt the smoothness of the final coat. Pour the coating into a working container and use all of it. Don't pour used coating back into the container.

inkAID coatings are water based and easy to clean up with moderately hot water. The inkAID White Matte, Translucent Gloss, and Adhesive Primer coatings are extremely water resistant so clean any containers, tools, and brushes promptly after use.

The normal reaction of porous substrates, like paper, is to absorb water and swell. This will cause the substrate to slightly buckle and curl upon drying. To reduce the amount of curl, the substrate can be hung from a thin wire (using metal clips or clothespins) after coating, allowing gravity to pull 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 upon it overnight or for a few days. Another method is to place the substrate between several pieces of parchment or wax paper and using a moderately hot iron or heat press to remove the curl. Yet another method is to hold the top and bottom of the substrate with both hands and gently run it over the smooth edge of a table or countertop.

Yes, all inkAID products are compatible with any kind of paper, including fine art and handmade papers and paper with deckled edges.

Any of inkAID coating can be used on paper. The inkAID Clear coating will allow the underlying color and fibers of the paper to show through, while the inkAID White Matte or any of the inkAID Iridescents will not.

inkAID coatings are usually applied with a foam brush or good quality bristle brush. It's important to apply a sufficient amount of wet coating to the substrate for good printability. When starting out, perform a few "test applications" on new substrates to determine the optimum amount of coating required. A good practice is to apply the wet coating in one direction and then apply it again at a 90 degree angle. You could also use a foam roller, a stainless steel coating rod, or a Paasche VLS Airbrush. Allow the coating to dry completely, usually overnight, before printing. Some papers will curl slightly after drying so be sure to flatten your substrate before printing.

The normal reaction of porous substrates, like paper, is to absorb water and swell. This will cause the substrate to slightly buckle and curl upon drying. To reduce the amount of curl, the substrate can be hung from a thin wire (using metal clips or clothespins) after coating, allowing gravity to pull 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 upon it overnight or for a few days. Another method is to place the substrate between several pieces of parchment or wax paper and using a moderately hot iron or heat press to remove the curl. Yet another method is to hold the top and bottom of the substrate with both hands and gently run it over the smooth edge of a table or countertop.

Aluminum, copper, and stainless steel are most common metal substrates that artists print on. Foils can also be printed but will most likely have to be attached to a carrying sheet to go through the printer. Refer to the instructional video about carrying sheets for more information. Be sure that your metals are of good quality and corrosion resistant. Check the specifications of your printer to determine maximum media thickness that can be used and select your metal substrate accordingly.

Use inkAID Clear Gloss Type II and inkAID White Matte Coatings. Both of these products have excellent adhesion to smooth porous surfaces. When beginning to work with metals always prepare a few smaller test pieces to become familiar with the process.

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The coating be applied using a foam brush or a coating rod. Make sure the metal is on a smooth level surface. It's also a good idea to apply a low tack painters tape along the edges on the opposite side of the meta, about an inch or so wide, in case some of the flows over the edge. When applying the coating with a foam brush be sure to use enough to thoroughly cover the surface, brushing left to right and then up and down. The coating will self level on the surface. If some of the coating flows over the edges, that's what you want. Allow the coating dry over night.

Higher print resolutions, 1440 x 720, and higher are recommended. This allows for slower print speeds allowing the ink to dry slightly before the next ink droplets are applied.

Be sure to watch the instructional videos demonstrating how to coat and print metals:

Virtually any fabric can be coated with inkAID coatings.

Mount the fabric on stretcher bars or lay the fabric flat and firmly secure the edges all the way around. Apply a sufficient amount of coating to completely cover the surface. Depending upon the material, some fabrics will likely require more coating than others. Some artist prefer to apply a background coating such as acrylic molding paster or gesso before applying the inkAID coatings. Allow the fabric to dry for at least 24 hours. Always test a few small pieces of fabric first before working with larger pieces.

Almost all fabrics will need to be attached to a carrying sheet to go through the printer. Refer to the instructional video about carrying sheets for more information. Review the specifications of your printer to determine the maximum thickness of media that can be used.

The inkAID White Matte and Translucent Gloss coatings will dry to a very water resistant finish after which other water based materials can be applied. The inkAID Clear coatings are not water resistant so an isolation coating will be required to protect the print.

Both gessoed and non-gessoed canvas can be coated. Be sure to check your printer specifications to determine the maximum thickness of the media that can be printed.

Mount the canvas on stretcher bars or lay the canvas flat and firmly secure the edges all the way around. Apply a sufficient amount of coating to completely cover the surface. Non-gessoed canvas will likely require more coating than gessoed canvas. Allow the canvas to dry for at least 24 hours. Always test a few small pieces of canvas first before working with larger pieces.

The inkAID White Matte and Translucent Gloss coatings will dry to a very water resistant finish after which other water based materials can be applied. The inkAID Clear coatings are not water resistant so an isolation coating will be required to protect the print.

The image transfer process using inkAID Transfer Film and inkAID Transferiez Transfer Medium begins with printing an image onto the transfer film. Then the Transferiez transfer medium solution is applied to substrate you want to transfer the image to and then the printed side of the film is immediately placed upon it. After two or three minutes the film is then gently removed leaving behind the image on the substrate. Watch the demonstration video on the inkAID Transfer Film and inkAID Transferier:

Only pigment based inks can be used in this process. Refer to your printers technical specifications to be sure that all colors are pigment based inks.

A setting for "Matte" or "Luster" media is suggested. Try a few different settings to find the best one for your piece.

Allow the printed film to dry for at least 4 hours, preferably over night in a cool, dry environment. Printed films that have dried can be stored for months before using.

Follow the label directions exactly as written to prepare the solution and dispose of it.

• You can prepare 4 ounces of 91% isopropyl alcohol by mixing together 99% alcohol with 70% alcohol in the following proportions:
  85.5 mls (2.89 fl oz) of 99% isopropyl alcohol with 32.794 mls (1.11 fl oz) of 70% isopropyl alcohol.
• You can prepare 4 ounces of 91% isopropyl alcohol by mixing together 99.5% alcohol with 90% alcohol in the following proportions:
  13 mls (0.44 fl oz) of 99.5% isopropyl alcohol with 105.294 mls (3.6 fl oz) of 90% isopropyl alcohol.
• You can prepare 12.35 ounces (365.23 mls) of 91% isopropyl alcohol by mixing together 11.35 ounces (335.66 mls) of 99% alcohol with 1 ounce (29.57 mls) of distilled water.
• Prepare all mixtures in a clean plastic or glass container with a tight fitting, vapor resistant cap. Shake well and let the mixture settle for several hours.
• Please remember that isopropyl alcohol is flammable so work in a well ventilated area away from heat or open flame.
• 70% isopropyl alcohol can be found at most grocery stores and pharmacies, but you’ll need to order 99% isopropyl alcohol on the web.
• Here are two good sources for 99% Isopropyl Alcohol:
  • Medsupplies.com - 16 oz. (1 Pint) 99% Isopropyl Alcohol, $13.29 per pint, no minimum order
  • Pemro - 99% Isopropyl Alcohol, 1 Pint - $11.82 per pint, 5 Pint Minimum Order

There is no difference at all. It is the exact same product.

Yes. You can replace the DASS (DASSART) transfer medium with inkAID Transferiez Transfer Medium on a one to one basis.

Top coatings, which are applied after printing, are used to provide the final finish to your print. Most top coatings are available in a gloss, satin, and matte finish. They also provide scratch resistance, water resistance, and UV and ozone resistance which maintains the color (lightfastness) of the print.

Top coatings can be either water based or solvent based. Epoxy top coatings, such as Art Resin, are considered solvent based.

A solvent based top coating must be used over inkAID Clear Gloss Type II because it is not water resistant. Recommended top coatings include Art Resin (especially over metal prints), Golden MSA Varnish, and Premier Art solvent based top coatings.

Use overlay text to give your customers insight into your brand. Select image and text that relates to your style and story.

Use overlay text to give your customers insight into your brand. Select image and text that relates to your style and story.

Use overlay text to give your customers insight into your brand. Select image and text that relates to your style and story.

Use overlay text to give your customers insight into your brand. Select image and text that relates to your style and story.

Use overlay text to give your customers insight into your brand. Select image and text that relates to your style and story.

Use overlay text to give your customers insight into your brand. Select image and text that relates to your style and story.

Use overlay text to give your customers insight into your brand. Select image and text that relates to your style and story.

Use overlay text to give your customers insight into your brand. Select image and text that relates to your style and story.