Does Art Fixative Spray Work On Fountain Pen Ink?

[SunFly]

Hi all,

 

I have letters that people wrote to me using fountain pen ink, but one day I accidentally spilled my drink over one letter which smudged almost a paragraph quite badly. The words are still somewhat readable, but it looks kind of messy. I'm trying to think of a way to save my letters in case my clumsy self repeated the incident all over again.

 

Like the title suggests, does anyone know if art fixative spray works for securing fountain pen ink on paper surface? I'm talking about fixative spray that people use for pastels or charcoal artwork.

 

Or any idea you guys could suggest?

[BookCat]

I would imagine that the fixative spray would smudge the inks as most fixatives are water-based, like hairspray (which I've used as a cheap pastel fixative). Personally, I wouldn't risk it.

 

Maybe laminating the letters would be a better option?

[SunFly]

I would imagine that the fixative spray would smudge the inks as most fixatives are water-based, like hairspray (which I've used as a cheap pastel fixative). Personally, I wouldn't risk it.

 

Maybe laminating the letters would be a better option?

 

 

Thanks for the suggestion. But will it possible to fold laminated papers? I would prefer to fold the letters and keep them inside envelope rather than laying them loose.

[BookCat]

Perhaps try putting them into a plastic, resealable envelope, rather than laminating each page.

 

I'm not sure if paper preserves best if allowed to breathe, but the longevity of the letters will primarily depend upon the ink used (pH etc).

 

Sorry, not a scientist, I have used art fixative for pastel though and think that's likely to damage the letters.

Edited December 7, 2014 by BookCat

[fountainpagan]

I use hair spray for my note books and it works fine. I don't see why art spray wouldn't work (as long as you apply it from a certain dintance.

[Moshe ben David]

There's been quite a bit of discussion on this topic over the years on FPN. Two of many approaches which I've seen referred to repeatedly:

 

1. After addressing an envelope or writing on a piece of paper, some advocate rubbing a plain white candle over what has been written to protect it.
2. Another approach has been to use something called Microglaze produced by Judikins. Amazon sell it: http://www.amazon.com/Judikins-GT026-Micro-Glaze-1-Ounce/dp/B004M5B3NM

I have not used either approach myself. For the most part I use one of the gel inks or gel ink pens more or less proven to be water resistant. I realize this is not quite what the OP has asked, so maybe either (1) or (2) above would apply. Another approach I guess for a really valuable (in whatever way) document would be to laminate it, but that is not likely to be inexpensive if many documents require protection. Laminating machines can be bought at the big-box office supply stores along with supplies if OP chose to go that route.

[TMLee]

There's been quite a bit of discussion on this topic over the years on FPN. Two of many approaches which I've seen referred to repeatedly:

 

1. After addressing an envelope or writing on a piece of paper, some advocate rubbing a plain white candle over what has been written to protect it.
2. Another approach has been to use something called Microglaze produced by Judikins. Amazon sell it: http://www.amazon.com/Judikins-GT026-Micro-Glaze-1-Ounce/dp/B004M5B3NM

I have not used either approach myself. For the most part I use one of the gel inks or gel ink pens more or less proven to be water resistant. I realize this is not quite what the OP has asked, so maybe either (1) or (2) above would apply. Another approach I guess for a really valuable (in whatever way) document would be to laminate it, but that is not likely to be inexpensive if many documents require protection. Laminating machines can be bought at the big-box office supply stores along with supplies if OP chose to go that route.

 

 

I have never heard of Microglaze before , but it looks pretty cool !

 

Handy to have a tiny jar around , on your writing desk ...

 

Here's a YouTube demo in scrapbooking use. ...

 

http://vimeo.com/5367906

 

Thanks ,

Learnt something new today

 

[Chrissy]

The white candle method works when you want to mail letters, and you want to ensure the address doesn't smudge

[TMLee]

Hi all,

 

I have letters that people wrote to me using fountain pen ink, but one day I accidentally spilled my drink over one letter which smudged almost a paragraph quite badly. The words are still somewhat readable, but it looks kind of messy. I'm trying to think of a way to save my letters in case my clumsy self repeated the incident all over again.

 

Like the title suggests, does anyone know if art fixative spray works for securing fountain pen ink on paper surface? I'm talking about fixative spray that people use for pastels or charcoal artwork.

 

Or any idea you guys could suggest?

 

Fixative is a generic term .

 

I dont see why it should not work on ink.

Such things are purpose -designed to do exactly that - coat a protective layer over a precious artwork.

 

Today, there are many kinds of fixatives manufactured.

A good Art supplies store will carry a variety of such fixatives.

There are lacquer types , acrylic types , high gloss types , semi-gloss type, matte finish types , ultraviolet-safe types (anti yellowing), and they even have 'workable fixative' , ie after spraying over, you can still continue your artwork !

 

I use them over my artwork on my white series of handcrafted journals - those that carry a photocopy of my artwork on the journal covers.

 

Amazing variety.

You only need to take your time and select the one most suited for your use.

I believe there's gotta be one type you can use.

 

( no offense , but isn't it simpler to just keep your letters away from the threat of spills?

I can imagine the inconvenience of spraying each time you receive a letter.

This things are toxic, not good for your health ! )

Edited December 7, 2014 by TMLee

[SunFly]

There's been quite a bit of discussion on this topic over the years on FPN. Two of many approaches which I've seen referred to repeatedly:

 

1. After addressing an envelope or writing on a piece of paper, some advocate rubbing a plain white candle over what has been written to protect it.
2. Another approach has been to use something called Microglaze produced by Judikins. Amazon sell it: http://www.amazon.com/Judikins-GT026-Micro-Glaze-1-Ounce/dp/B004M5B3NM

I have not used either approach myself. For the most part I use one of the gel inks or gel ink pens more or less proven to be water resistant. I realize this is not quite what the OP has asked, so maybe either (1) or (2) above would apply. Another approach I guess for a really valuable (in whatever way) document would be to laminate it, but that is not likely to be inexpensive if many documents require protection. Laminating machines can be bought at the big-box office supply stores along with supplies if OP chose to go that route.

 

Whoops! Sorry, should have been more diligent to dig out the old threads.

I will try that Microglaze. Can't imagine I have to rub 20+ pages one by one with white candles. But that method should work for small portion area.

 

 

 

Fixative is a generic term .

 

I dont see why it should not work on ink.

Such things are purpose -designed to do exactly that - coat a protective layer over a precious artwork.

 

Today, there are many kinds of fixatives manufactured.

A good Art supplies store will carry a variety of such fixatives.

There are lacquer types , acrylic types , high gloss types , semi-gloss type, matte finish types , ultraviolet-safe types (anti yellowing), and they even have 'workable fixative' , ie after spraying over, you can still continue your artwork !

 

I use them over my artwork on my white series of handcrafted journals - those that carry a photocopy of my artwork on the journal covers.

 

Amazing variety.

You only need to take your time and select the one most suited for your use.

I believe there's gotta be one type you can use.

 

( no offense , but isn't it simpler to just keep your letters away from the threat of spills?

I can imagine the inconvenience of spraying each time you receive a letter.

This things are toxic, not good for your health ! )

 

 

None taken. Normally, after I finished reading my letter, I would keep them away from "hazardous" area. But when I'm replying to someone's letter, I just lay them on a table so it's easier to get back to them.

 

Yeah, now that I think of it, it's pretty extreme if I have to spray those pages one by one.

[Anne-Sophie]

If you keep the letters in a archival quality sheet protector, and, place them in a hard sided binder that can stand upright or place the letter in one of those vertical document readers.

 

Both methods will keep the letter away from possible liquid spills.

[balson]

fixative is basically the same as hairspray. it is intended only for loose dry pigments and it is really debatable how well it works for that. it can dull values and cause a color shift. there are also debates about how archival it is. and most relevant to your question, it wont do anything to protect the paper from moisture.

 

if you are looking for a spray a much better alternative is a clear acrylic varnish. krylon crystal clear is recommended as a better alternative for permanently affixing charcoals and pastels and would be a better solution than spray fixative for ink. there is still a risk of the ink bleeding a bit depending on how heavily you apply it, and you should really wear a respirator when doing any aerated acrylics.

 

for easy of use and effectiveness wax sounds like a better solution. it sounds safe, effective, portable, and easy to use.