Fumes question from a visitor

[JCS]

Hi.  I recently received a fine art print on canvas from an online company that produces such (art-prints-on-demand.com).  I have two others in my home which are varnished, but I ordered this one not varnished because I thought that would better suit the lighting conditions.  I have had the canvas stretched and framed, and am noticing that it has a smell, which is unsettling to me especially because the print is now hung in the room where I sleep.  My questions are: 1) Should I worry about this smell?  2) Would varnishing have sealed the print in a way that would keep this smell from being emitted?  3) Can/should I now remove the print from the frame and varnish it manually, using a water-based product (or would I then have to be just as worried about fumes from the varnish?  The canvases that I received from a different company MD-canvas also had a smell to them initially, but I left them in a well ventilated space for a few days and this disappeared.  This unvarnished canvas seems to have a much more lasting smell.  Any advice appreciated.  Thanks!
JCS

[Jonathan Wienke]

It may take several days for the solvents in the print to dry out completely; it's one of the drawbacks of formulating ink that doesn't clog the print heads.

I wouldn't worry about it; just keep the room ventilated if the smell bothers you.

[eronald]

It may take several days for the solvents in the print to dry out completely; it's one of the drawbacks of formulating ink that doesn't clog the print heads.

I wouldn't worry about it; just keep the room ventilated if the smell bothers you.
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If it's standard inkjet print there is no problem. If they used a heavy solvent printer, it's a different game.

Edmund

[Brian Gilkes]

I agree with Edmund. I would not sleep in the same room as a smelly print.
Solvents , dispersants , glop agents and anti -clog chemicals such a glycols are not good news.
Some more information from your printer could be helpful i.e. what inkset are they using?
In any case, hang the print out of the sun in a breezy place until the smell goes. At that stage a coating should be applied. If you intend to use a water based product , test it on a bit of colour on the wrap if possible. Some inks are not water resistant and will run. A solvent coating could be safer. In this case the solvent smell usually disperses quickly. If you do not want the "varnish" look , try someting like Premier Art Print Shield.
HTH
Brian
www.pharoseditions.com.au

[Lisa Nikodym]

If you want to add a coating to the print, be sure to practice on some unimportant pieces of paper or canvas first.  It can be tricky to get it covered evenly, so practice may be needed.

Lisa