Cannot find glossy white cardboard!

Ravensbane · Joined: 13 Aug 2010 Posts: 3

Hi all, just a budding artist after some help!

So have just recently got into spray paint art and have been using normal matt cardboard sheets. The problem is that it absorbs the spray paint so as to dull the end result. Even spraying a clear gloss spray over the art does not help much.
Have since found out that most US spray paint artists use glossy white cardboard sheets. Have enquired at a lot of newsagents and none have either heard of such a thing or are able to order it.
Was hoping someone here could either point me in the right direction to obtain said cardboard sheets or maybe offer tips to somehow make the matt cardboard not absorb the paint.

Thanks in advance ^^

Cea Breize · Joined: 07 Jul 2009 Posts: 157 Location: Bundaberg

Im sorry I have no Idea. But I work for a printing company and he gets glossy cardboard for poster printing. I wonder if there are similar printing company's around where you live that you could approch to buy from?
Hope this helps.

Ravensbane · Joined: 13 Aug 2010 Posts: 3

Thanks, thats a great idea. ^^

Tango · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1359 Location: Melbourne

If we knew what part of the world you live in we could give you better info.
Is there any art material supply stores in your area ? they are more likley to have what you are after. Try some clear gesso if you want to seal the cardboard.

gggraph

The issue is that the solvents in spray paint are absorbed very easily with cardboard. I haven't done it for 30 years (since I bought my first airbrush), but I suspect nothing's changed. Not sure what the 'shiny' cardboard is - if it's just a hot-press board, it would still be absorbent.

I would suggest trying an illustration board such as Crescent - they have a clay coating which means the media sits on top, rather than sinking in, as with a screen board. You are unlikely to find that at a newsagent - they tend to run to 300gsm Systems or Ivory board only (good for collage, but not much else.), so you'll need to find an art supply store.

If you know any printers, you could ask nicely for some A1 Coated Art board. (A1 in this case is the quality, not the size).

I agree with Tango - gesso should work, or a large size option would be acrylic house paint primer.

Cheers

Grant

Eug · Joined: 15 Jun 2010 Posts: 206 Location: Melbourne

Just a guess, would you be needing the cardboard for stencilling? Theres a tonne of tutorials on stencilrevolution.com that should help you out. If you're working directly onto the cardboard you don't really need it to have a shiny surface, you just need something that's been sealed and is non-porous so the paint doesn't soak up. Don't bother about newsagents, go and check out a good art supply store, they've usually got more good paper and card stock than you can poke a stick (or spray can) at, and the staff should have a good idea of what will work best for you. Also, gloss spray paints are usually avoided as the chances of the paint running and dripping are greater, stick to matte paint until your can skills are up to scratch. Hope it helps.

Devilbiss · Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 3209

Size the cardboard with shellac.
It will make the surface shiny but will also turn it slightly brown..just slightly.

Ravensbane · Joined: 13 Aug 2010 Posts: 3

Im in Newcastle, Australia. And the cardboard is actually for spraying directly onto. Similar to the spray paint art videos on youtube. Have some Gesso here so may try that. Never actually thought of it for cardboard. Thanks all, some great ideas.

Chrissy D · Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 1048 Location: Queensland

I thought I had seen some shinny cardboard around at newsagents. I have seen gold and silver at places like Big W and Kmart in their stationary section.

Craft/Art shops like Riot, Spotlight, Lincraft -all those mainstream places should have it. Try a school supply shop like Oxlades (Brissie)

Maybe think of alternative supports like Watercolour paper or canvas sheets? MDF sealed, go round and 'appropriate' the latest political signage on the plastic flute stuff.