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Krylon Kamar Varnish – This is an aerosol spray that is used on alcohol inks that won’t reactivate the ink. For some reason I am never excited to use anything that is an aerosol spray. You should use it outside and you have to be careful about any dust particles or bugs landing on it. It leaves a textured matte finish. You will definitely want to test first so you don’t ruin your art. I have only used this outside on my patio and find it to be a bit of a daunting process. It needs three layers so I set timers for each layer and have to make sure I have enough daylight to finish it. It can be difficult to use during the cold humid season which lasts a while in the PNW.
Jacquard Pinata High Gloss Varnish – This is a varnish that is made just for alcohol inks. I was so excited when this product came out in 2022 because I prefer to use a varnish that can be applied with a brush. I tested so many different varnishes, but they all reactivated the inks. Even though it says non-toxic on the bottle it does not say anything about ventilation. It has a strong odor so I just make sure that the room is well ventilated. I tested this varnish on several different surfaces: Yupo paper, Nara paper, Evo paper, and canvas. You will definitely want to test it first so you don’t ruin your art. The key to the best application is the type of brush. At first I used a cheaper soft brush and it left brush marks. I decided to invest in a Gamvar Varnish Brush and it was well worth it! You do have to be gentle when spreading the varnish with the brush. It has a high gloss finish and won’t yellow over time which I love.