A. FAQ – General
Q. What sort of substrates can I print on using inkAID?
A. Using the inkAID™ products, you can print on almost anything! Some popular substrates include fine art and handmade papers, metals like aluminum and copper, film, wood veneer,leather, plastic, and glass. If it will fit through your printer, you can print on it!
Q. Do you offer free samples?
A. We do not distribute free samples of specific products; however, a sample set of inkAID precoats are available for purchase. The inkAID Sample Set includes one 4 oz. bottle of each of the following products: inkAID White Matte, inkAID Clear Semi-Gloss, inkAID Clear Gloss, inkAID Clear Gloss Type II, inkAID Adhesive, and inkAID Iridescent Gold precoats. Generally, a 4 oz. bottle contains enough precoat to prepare three to four sheets of 8.5” x 11” paper. The inkAID Sample Set costs US$28.00, including shipping within the continental United States. Additional charges will apply if the sample set is being shipped to Alaska, Hawaii, or international destinations, including Canada. Please contact us for shipping costs to these locations before placing your order.
Q. What is the shelf life of the inkAID products?
A. Whether opened or unopened, we recommend using products within a year of being purchased.
Q. What is the best way to store the products?
A. All inkAID™ precoats should be stored in a cool, dry place. Some people choose to refrigerate the precoats, but do NOT freeze them or the products won’t be useable. Be sure to mix the precoats well before using, especially the White Matte Precoat, Clear Semi-Gloss Precoat, and all the Iridescent Precoats. Always stir to mix the precoats, never shake the bottles; doing so will incorporate air bubbles that may dry on your substrate and disrupt the smoothness of the final coat.
Q. Do inkAID™ products have an effect on the archival properties of a print?
A. A simple answer to that question would be: no, not generally. inkAID precoats contain no optical brighteners and are acid free and pH neutral, two factors that can have an effect on archival properties. In any print, it’s going to be the ink that is the weakest link, and inkAID has no effect on the lasting power of inks. If you’re still concerned about archival properties, we suggest you create a set of side-by-side prints, one using inkAID and your substrate/ink combination and one using ink and media that has been tested. Place both in a southern facing window for several months, then compare. In one test like this using Epson 9500 Ultrachrome Inks, there was no visible fading after one year in the sun.
Q. What kind of coverage (in square feet) can I expect from the inkAID precoats using either a sponge brush or an HLVP spray gun?
A. You can anticipate coverage of about 250 square feet per gallon. Keep in mind, though, that this number can vary greatly depending on your applicator, technique, and the substrate you’re applying the precoat to. A sheet of handmade paper with no sizing is far more porous and will absorb much more coating than a sheet of aluminum of the same size. Also remember that it’s recommended to apply two coats of inkAID™ precoat to any given substrate to ensure adequate coverage.
Q. Do the clear inkAID precoats dry absolutely clear?
A. Yes they do. The inkAID™ Clear Gloss and Clear-Gloss Type II precoats will dry absolutely clear. Clear Semi-Gloss dries with a slight transluncency to the coating.
Q. Where should I look for the Material Safety Data Sheets?
A. An MSDS for each of our products can be found on the website, linked from the Products page.
Q. Do you offer any educational discounts?
A. At this time, we do not offer educational discounts.
Q. Do you accept purchase orders?
A. Yes, we accept government orders, institutional orders, and purchase orders. Please fax your P.O. to Jim Kedenburg’s attention at 315-782-7771.
