Collectors buy a giclée reproduction expecting it to look the same in ten summers as it did on the day it was signed. The printing is only half of that promise. The other half is what happens afterwards: daylight through a window, a fingerprint during framing, humidity in an older house. This page looks at where a protective coating fits in a fine art workflow and what to consider before adding one.
Why coat a fine art print at all?
Pigment inks on fine art paper and canvas are already chosen for their stability, but the print surface is still exposed. Landor Liquid Lamination adds a protective layer for durability and lightfastness. Colourjet, our solvent coating, protects against water, chemicals and abrasion and includes integrated UV inhibitors against premature fading. For an edition, that extra layer helps each print stay consistent with the others for longer.
Where it is most useful
- Unframed canvas giclées, where there is no glass between the image and the room.
- Prints sold at fairs and open studios, which are browsed through by hand.
- Large reproductions that are awkward to glaze and often hang in bright spaces.
- Commissioned work heading for kitchens, restaurants or other demanding rooms.
Things to weigh up
Surface and texture
Textured watercolour papers and matte canvases are part of the appeal of a giclée. A coating will change the surface to some degree, so look at a coated sample alongside an uncoated one under gallery lighting before deciding.
Paper and ink compatibility
Solvent coatings do not suit every fine art paper or ink set. Some papers are too absorbent or carry surface treatments that react poorly. Always coat an offcut from the same paper and printer first, and check our compatibility page or ask us if you are unsure.
Consistency across an edition
If you coat by hand, keep the method the same for every print in the run so the finish matches. Studios producing editions regularly often use a liquid lamination machine to get an even, repeatable coat.
Talking to buyers
A protective coating is something you can explain on a certificate or product description in plain terms: the print has been coated to help it resist moisture, handling and fading. Avoid quoting lifespans; display conditions vary too much to predict. Our guides include advice on caring for coated prints that you can pass on.
Producing a new edition and not sure whether to coat it? Get in touch through our contact page and we can suggest a test to run on your chosen paper.