[alt-photo] Re: PVA for SIZE & GUM ?‏

[Diana Bloomfield]

Hi Peter,

I already posted this (below) a couple of weeks ago, and although it  
may not mean much-- since the source is Gamblin, and they're the ones  
that stand to make money-- though I'm skeptical that a bunch of gum  
printers would keep them in or out of business-- here's what the  
Gamblin "product specialist" wrote to me when I asked her about their  
PVA and its archival  properties, etc.  She then wrote me a follow-up  
email to that one, also below.   Although it appears Jamee may have  
never met a comma she liked, I've decided to go ahead and take her at  
her word on the PVA.  :)



Dear Diana –

Thank you for contacting us.

I have heard of artists using the PVA Size for dichromate printing  
with good results. PVA Size is basically archival, pH neutral glue  
that has been diluted to the perfect consistency for sizing fabric  
supports for oil painting. If the dichromate is adhering well to the  
size then I see no problem using it for this purpose.

At the current dilution it no longer functions as a glue but it may  
still have enough tac for the process. If you find that it is not  
strong enough you can purchase regular PVA glue and dilute it with  
distilled water to the consistency that better suits your needs.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions.  Thank you  
for choosing our materials.

Sincerely,

Jamee

Jamee Linton-Kelly | Product Specialist | Gamblin Artists Colors Co. |  
503.235.1945 x-30 | www.gamblincolors.com


Diana –

Yes just to confirm our PVA Size is 100% archival and pH neutral. I am  
glad to hear it is working well for your process. =)

Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

Sincerely,

Jamee




>
>
> Similar to Judy, my concerns have revolved around both the seeming  
> proprietary nature of the Gamblin PVA size, and the fact that not a  
> single commercial paper manufacturer, to my knowledge, uses PVA as a  
> size. What do they know that we don't? Well, after sending out some  
> inquiries to some of my trusted paper experts in the field, the  
> general consensus seems to be that PVA is just too expensive for  
> commercial paper production.
>
>
>
> OK, that makes me feel somewhat better, but I am still doing some of  
> my own informal testing to see if I can get it to yellow or  
> deteriorate before I give it a hardy thumbs up. Right now it's up,  
> but leaning more in the direction of someone hitching a ride. If PVA  
> turns out to be as pure as the wind driven snow and easier to apply  
> than peanut butter on toast, then I believe another significant leap  
> forward has been taken in the advancement of dichromate printing  
> technology.
>
> Peter J. Blackburn