inkAID gives creative digital artists the opportunity to create unlimited types of surfaces on which to print including traditional fine art papers, metal, plastic and wood veneer. The print on the left below is on uncoated Reeves BFK. The paper for the print on the right was coated with inkAID White Matte Precoat prior to printing. Since the ink doesn't soak into the paper, the print is considerably more vibrant. Painting, collages and other mixed media can also be coated to allow the addition of an inkjet printed image to the composition.

Each inkAID product has unique properties: 


  •..inkAID Sample Set
The inkAID Sample Set contains 4 ounces (125ml) each of White Matte, Clear Semi-Gloss, Clear Gloss, Clear Gloss Type II, Adhesive Primer, and Iridescent Gold. It provides the opportunity to become familiar with the products and to choose the particular coating or coatings required for the specific applcation or project.

..•..White Matte Precoat
White matte precoat gives a beautiful very flat and bright white surface. It goes on clear and dries white. One coat is enough on smooth, hard surfaces like gesso; two coats may be needed on more porous surfaces, like paper. With pigmented inks it creates a water resistant finish which allows overpainting of acrylic based varnishes.

..•..Clear Semi Gloss Precoat
A favorite for artists coating surfaces where they want to preserve the color or image beneath the precoat. One coat is usually sufficient if carefully applied to cover all areas evenly. Very porous surfaces may need more coats, or you can seal the surface with acrylic medium before applying the precoat.

..•.Clear Gloss Precoat and optional Adhesive (for Clear Gloss Precoat)
If you want a gloss surface, this is for you. Porous and semi-porous surfaces don’t need the Adhesive, but may require two coats of Clear Gloss Precoat for good ink holdout. In order for the inkAID Clear Gloss Precoat to adhere to a non-porous surface like Plexiglas or metal, you must first put down a coat of inkAID Adhesive to provide a lasting bond. inkAID Adhesive can also be used to reduce the number of coats of inkAID Clear Gloss or Semi Gloss Precoat needed on porous surfaces.

..• Clear Gloss Precoat Type II
This new Clear Gloss Precoat Type II was specially formulated to eliminate the need for adhesive when applying to a non-absorbent surface like aluminum or Plexiglas. Use two coats, the second applied perpendicularly to the first when it is completely dry.

..• Iridescent Precoats
Iridescent Precoats are available in Gold, Silver, Pearl, Red and Blue pints. Premixed with glowing tints, these one step precoats contain both an adhesive and precoat for inkjet printing and will adhere to virtually every surface including non-porous surfaces like metal and porous surfaces like paper.

After coating, some media may need to be pressed flat to fit into the printer. Hanging paper as it dries often helps minimize wrinkles, as does giving the whole sheet an even coat of the adhesive.

Color profiles you may have been using will probably have to be adjusted, especially when your substrate is not white. Test small samples first.

MSDS sheets are available for each of the inkAID products:
White Matte Precoat MSDS
Clear Semi Gloss Precoat MSDS
Clear Gloss Precoat MSDS
Adhesive MSDS
Clear Gloss Precoat Type II MSDS
Iridescent Precoats MSDS Pearl --- Silver --- Gold --- Red --- Blue

• Dura Textiles Ink Jet Artist Canvas - Matte Finish
Manufactured with the highest quality gessoed 100% cotton canvas, Dura Textiles has produced a beautiful line of matte finish Ink Jet Artist Canvas designed for the most demanding fine art reproduction and photographic portraiture. Currently available in four distinct weights and texture patterns, the bright white, water resistant, ink jet coating produces outstanding image quality, high color saturation, wide color gamut, and excellent resolution. Suitable with dye and pigment based inks (even the new Epson UltraChrome K3 inks!). Dura Textiles Ink Jet Artist Canvas is the product of choice for your most critical printing projects.

• Olana Digital Fine Art Fabric
A beautiful 18 mil, 10 oz. (340 gsm) bright white, 100% cotton, ink jet fabric with a distinctive Provincial weave. The unique texture and visual appearance provide a perfect substrate for fine art or photographic portraiture. Olana Digital Fine Art Fabric has a non-gesso base coated with an archival bright white matte finish ink receptive coating that is water resistant, acid free, and pH neutral. Suitable for dye and pigment based inks.

• Ink Jet Papers
Introducing Moenkopi Traditional Japanese Washi Papers for digital photograhers and artists. Made from natural fibers like Kozo and Hemp, they are pre-coated with clear gloss ink jet receptive coating. They are acid free, archival, and provide clear, high resolution prints. Suitable for dye and pigment based inks.

• Booksmart Studios Fine Art Metals
inkAID, in association with Booksmart Studios, is pleased to announce the addition of Booksmart Studios ink jet printable fine art metals into our line of fine art digital imaging materials. These fine art metals are comprised of aluminum and gold coated with clear gloss ink jet receptive coating and provide clear, crisp images with a beautifully luminous background. The fine art metals provide digital artists with a unique substrate allowing them to incorporate new and exciting elements into their work.
 
• Instructional DVDs
Introducing "Beyond The Digital Print". An 80 minute instructional DVD. 90 You'll see 4 techniques for preparing custom substrates using both traditional artists materi als and more bold materials. The DVD includes a Resource Booklet (in pdf format viewable on computer) with each technique briefly explained with a materials list. Each technique demonstrates ways to use inkAID™ to prepare custom sufaces for inkjet printing.

• Coating Application Tools - Coating Rods
Introducing the No. 90 Coating Rod application tool. The Coating Rod applies the right amount of inkAID Pre-Coat in one simple, easy step! Manufactured of high quality stainless steel, the Coating Rod is the perfect tool for applying an exact thickness of inkAID onto any substrate in a single application. Available in lengths to coat 17, 24, and 36 inch finished substrate widths.

 

NOTE: For Printers with Pizza Wheels
Most desktop inkjet printers have wheels, tabs or rollers that come in contact with the image after it is printed. This will not cause a problem with White Matte inkAID.

All clear (Clear Semi-Gloss, Clear Gloss Type II, and Clear Gloss) and iridescent inkAID precoats will successfully coat porous materials like paper for use in desktop printers. However, for smooth nonporous materials, like plastic, the ink briefly wets the inkAID and the rollers can "track" or drag the ink and precoats. Because of this it is not recommended to use clear or iridescent inkAID products on nonporous media if your printer has these 'pizza' wheels or rollers.

While there are websites that describe how to raise or remove 'pizza' wheels, doing so is likely to void your printer warranty. Note that most larger inkjet printers, usually 24” wide and above, do not have any wheel, tab, or roller which contact the image after printing, making precoat usage on non-porous materials trouble free. ---