[alt-photo] Re: PVA for SIZE & GUM ?‏

[Loris Medici]

PVAc glue (which could be further diluted to act as a paper sizing -
essentially a glue to hold paper fibers together) has been used in
bookbinding for decades, and I couldn't find any negative comment made
on it by conservationists. OTOH, not all PVAc glues (or every
substance called PVAc) are the same, since PVAc polymers exists with
different chain lengths and ratio of hydrolysis. Also glues
incorporate other additives such as plasticisers (???) and stabilizers
(usually some kind of alcohol, methyl and/or polyvinyl alcohol...)
etc.

In any case, if the product you have on hands (be it Gamblin PVA size
or any other product like the Caparol branded transparent paper/wood
glue I personally use - please note that *it's not the usual/standard
yellow wood glue!*) works for gum printing, just accept it as it is. I
don't think it will behave much differently / negatively compared to
the products used for bookbinding. I mean you're more on the safe side
than being on the opposite...

Regards,
Loris.


2010/3/5 Peter Blackburn <blackburnap at hotmail.com>:
>
> Hello Diana:
>
>
>
> Thank you for bringing to my attention the communication you had with Gamblin. Jamee's comments are helpful and, hopefully, truthful. From the work I've seen on the web, I admire your vision and respect your insight.
>
> Peter J. Blackburn
>
>
>
>
>> From: dhbloomfield at bellsouth.net
>> To: alt-photo-process-list at lists.altphotolist.org
>> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 12:52:11 -0500
>> Subject: [alt-photo] Re: PVA for SIZE & GUM ?‏
>>
>> 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
>>
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