Question on canvas varnish technique ... the darkest sections tend to bleed

[Kumsa]

My question is whether I'm always going to have to use a HPLV spray to apply a finishing varnish to every canvas ?

Here's my context: My varnish is BreathingColor Timeless or Ecco Printshield Matte. My canvas is RedRiver Blanco Matte and my printer is a 17" Epson P800. I always allow a day to gas out.

For larger canvases (e.g., 17x60"), I don't have a problem setting up for a spray. However, I frequently am doing a quick, one-off, 14x14 canvas wrap, and the HPLV setup seems like overkill. When I've used a brush or roller, I've consistently found that some prints with sections of a lot of dark/black tones will smear the black, just a smidgen. For instance, it's faintly visible on the small white sponge roller.

I've considered trying a small airbrush for applying the finish, or maybe a different canvas.

Any shared experience would be appreciated !

[mearussi]

Are the dark areas that bleed tacky to the touch when they come off the printer? If so then you're putting too much ink down and need to decrease the saturation. If they are not tacky then something might be wrong with your canvas as high quality matte canvas doesn't bleed when it's being coated.

I've tested a lot of different canvasses both matte and glossy/satin using both Eco and Timeless and have never had a single matte canvas bleed on me (though most of the glossy/satin ones will).

Have you tried a different canvas?  I know from my tests that Lyve doesn't bleed, though I prefer Eco to Timeless for hand roller coating as Timeless typically dries in about 5 minutes (or sooner depending on temperature and humidity) whereas Eco take about 15 minutes to dry allowing for more time to remove roller marks. 

[Kumsa]

Thanks. Great feedback. I've ordered a sample roll of Lyve to see how well it works.

[PeterAit]

Thanks. Great feedback. I've ordered a sample roll of Lyve to see how well it works.

FWIW I use the Lyve canvas and the Timeless varnish with a roller and have never seen a bleeding problem. Epson inks.

[dpirazzi]

When I used Lyve canvas with Timeless I had problems with the ink lifting, prints were from a canon 8300. Have not tried it yet with the canon 4100.