​Varnishing Technique: How to Varnish to a Plate

An unvarnished plate is an unfinished plate. A long-lasting image requires protective layer of varnish and the tones of the image are enhanced. Varnish creates a protective layer over the image providing a beautiful shine while also safeguarding against tarnishing and fading. However, applying varnish can be a tricky task, and if it's not done properly, it can lead to an uneven and unattractive result. In this post, we'll walk you through the steps of varnishing and provide some helpful tips to ensure your varnishing step is a success.

Step 1: Dust the Plate - Before starting the varnishing process, make sure your plate is clean and free of any debris or dust. Use a soft brush or air to remove any particles that may be on the surface of the plate.

Step 2: Pour the Varnish - With the plate and varnish at room temperature, pour the varnish on one end of the plate, covering about one-third of the area.

Step 3: Flow the Varnish - Flow the varnish from corner to corner as you would when coating with collodion. Once the plate is covered, send a wave of varnish back across the plate so the first corner gets fresh varnish.

Step 4: Drain the Plate - Quickly drain the plate into a catch bottle. When the corner starts to drip slowly, blot the two bottom edges, then place the plate level to let the heavy edges flow back and settle out. If it is not leveling fast enough, you can tilt the plate in the direction you want the varnish to flow. This needs to happen as quickly as possible to prevent the top edge from drying matte. Also, if you drain too much you can get thin areas that will dry matte. If you leave too much varnish, you can get heavy areas and flow lines that appear after heating. It’s a balance of draining and leveling to get the right amount of varnish on the plate. It sounds difficult, but once you get a feel for how much to leave, it becomes easy.

Step 5: Cure the Plate - Once the plate is level, place it in a toaster oven at about 250°F. This will quickly cure the varnish and allow it to dry to a nice even glossy finish.

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy - After a minute or two, remove the plate from the oven and allow it to cool. Once cooled, your plate is ready for display and will have a beautiful glossy finish that is sure to impress. Do not stack your plates for a few days, as the plate is still curing. Shellac will dry harder and is less susceptible to sticking.

By following these simple steps, you can achieve a professional-looking varnish that will allow your plates to last for more than 100 years!