inkAID provides digital photographers and artists the opportunity to ink jet print on virtually any type of substrate including traditional fine art papers, canvas, metal, plastic, glass, textiles, and wood veneer. The print on the left below is on uncoated inkAID RTC Unryu White (80 gsm). The print on the right was coated with inkAID Semi-Gloss prior to printing. inkAID precoats are true ink jet receptive coatings which provide clean, clear, crisp imaging with with brilliant colors and high image definition. Paintings, collages, and other mixed media can also be coated with inkAID to allow the inclusion of digital images image in 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 Matte, Clear Gloss, Clear Gloss Type II, and Iridescent Pearl. 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 provides a bright white, matte surface. It appears translucent upon application and dries white. One coat is usually enough on most surfaces like plastic, metal, gesso, and glass. A second coat may be needed on porous surfaces like paper and textiles. White matte is a very water resistant coating which can be overcoated with other water based coatings and varnishes.

  •..Clear Matte Precoat
Clear Matte provides a translucent matte finish which allows the underlying colors or image on the substrate to appear through the coating with the very low gloss level characteristic of a matte finish. Clear Matte has good adhesion to most smooth, nonporous surfaces as well as any absorbant material such as paper, canvas, or cloth. Clear Matte can be used with any printer including those with tracking (pizza) wheels without causing any marking in the print.

..•..Clear Semi Gloss Precoat
Provides a slightly translucent, satin finish which allows the underlying colors or image on the substrate to appear through the coating. One coat provides sufficient coverage and most surfaces. More porous substrates such as paper or textiles more need an additional coat.

..•.Clear Gloss Precoat and optional Adhesive (for Clear Gloss Precoat)
Clear Gloss provides a high gloss finish to smooth, non-porous surfaces, and a satin finish to porous surfaces such as paper. Porous surfaces don’t need the Adhesive Primer, but may require more than one coat for good ink holdout. Non-porous surfaces such as metal and plastic require a light primer coating of Adhesive Primer for good adhesion. inkAID Adhesive Primer may also be used as a sealer coating to allow the overlaying inkAID receptive coating hold out on the surface of very porous surfaces.

..• Clear Gloss Precoat Type II
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, but can be used to coat any other substrate.

..• Iridescent Precoats
Iridescent Precoats are available in Gold, Silver, Pearl, Red, Blue, and Bronze. Containing true iridescent pigments, these coatings contain adhesive additive which provides enhanced adhesion to smooth,non-porous surfaces like metal, glass, and plastics. These coatings can also be used on any substrate such as paper, wood, textile, and canvas.

After coating, some media, such as paper, may need to be pressed flat before printing. Hanging porous materials, such as paper, helps to minimize curling and wrinkling as it dries.

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 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.

• inkAID RTC Japanese Washi Papers
Introducing inkAID RTC (Ready To Coat) Japanese Washi Papers. A collection of six papers available in cut sheet sizes of 8.5" x 11" to 17" x 22". Full sheet sizes, ranging from 24" x 36" to 31" x 43", depending upon paper type, are available. Made from natural fibers like Kozo, Mitsumata, and Gampi, they are acid free and archival. A Sample Pack, containing one 8.5" x 11" sheet of each paper is available. In addition, there is also a Paper Coating Kit which contains one 8.5" x 11" sheet of each paper, an 8 oz. bottle of inkAID Clear Semi-Gloss, and a two inch wide foam brush.

• 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

Beyond The Digital Print: - Mary Taylor. An 80 minute instructional DVD. 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.

Inkjet Transfer Techniques- Gelatin and Gel Transfer Processes for Alternative Photography and Fine Art: - Bonny Lhotka, Digital Art Studio Seminars. 120 minutes. Learn 8 new processes for transferring inkjet prints to other surfaces using gelatin, gels, and fresco gelatin. All processes are suitable for desktop and wide format printers using pigment inks. This seminar series is for all artists and photographers looking for alternative processes for expanding on how to express their own creative voice. Processes covered require the use of inkjet media like the DASS™ Transfer Film or other media with a water soluble coating that will release the image.

• 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 Tracking or Guide 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.

You can use inkAID Clear Semi-Gloss, Clear Gloss Type II, Clear Gloss, and iridescent inkAID precoats on porous substrates like paper for use in printers with tracking wheels. On smooth, nonporous substrates such metal, plastic, and glass the coating can remain wet immediately after printing and leave tracking marks on the printed sheet. Therefore, it is not recommended to use clear or iridescent inkAID products on nonporous substrates with printers having tracking or guide wheels.

There are websites that describe how to raise or remove the tracking wheels, but doing so may void your printer warranty. Larger format inkjet printers, 24 inch width and above, usually don't have tracking wheels.