Lacquer Over Paper?

[James Farrow]

Can I apply lacquer on top of paper?

Just the regular plain photocopy paper.

I know it may sound like a crazy question but I want to print out something, paste it on a wooden board and then apply lacquer on top to seal it.

Will this work, or will the lacquer eat/burn/affect the paper?

Thanks,

James :)

[Jim Becker]

The paper is unlikely to be a problem, but the lacquer could affect the printing ink...do a test with the same paper and printer you plan on using before you commit to the "real" project. If the lacquer does affect the ink, consider sealing with super blond de-waxed shellac first.

[James Farrow]

Thanks!

I was planning on testing it first but that will only give me a short term result. Was hoping someone might know the longer term consequences.

James :)

[Jim Becker]

Short term is actually the rub...the solvents in the lacquer affecting the printing are what you need to be concerned with. Once it cures, there shouldn't be any issues outside of "normal" color change over time for the particular finish product you have chosen.

[James Farrow]

Thanks!

Will test it and see how it comes out.

James :)

[Anthony Anderson]

James, I would only recommend spraying the lacquer in this situation. Don't reduce, and apply very light, semi-dry coats of lacquer. Allow to dry and sand very lightly between coats. DO NOT try to spray the lacquer to get a nice, even, wet coat, or the ink will be affected. Jim is right that the short term is key here, once the lacquer is dry, and you have successfully completed the finish stage, the durability is limited to the quality of the lacquer, and how the lacquer is affected by the environment that it is placed in. Good Luck, Bill

[John Mihich]

Go to an art store and get a spray made for spraying art work. Myself and my daughter have used it on all sorts of media with success. I don't know if it lacquer or shellaq based or something else.

[Rich Engelhardt]

Hello James,

Google decoupage.

What you're doing is a form of it.
Craft stores will have everything you need.
Be sure to pick up a brayer (rubber roller).
Most decoupage projects I saw go bad were due to not using a brayer to smooth out the wrinkles in the paper.