My concern with spray on lamination, acrylic spray, etc., is that it might warp the cards while drying, since it's paper.
Same thing goes if you brush on clear gel, school glue, or modge podge to try and get a durable clear coating, since it will warp the cards while drying, and even when completely dry, it will be a little tacky, or sticky. I guess you could powder the cards to remove the tackiness with corn starch. But it will not completely durable from usage of cards, if you're intending to shuffle them.
I suggest heat lamination with the thinest pouch. I think at the Staples print center, there's ledger size laminations that are 3mil, that can hold around 10 cards per pouch, and then they just need to be trimmed. That's the only one I've tried, and it's durable. Although it's a bit bulky and slippery, you can still shiffle them.
I have a deck of regular playing cards that are vintage. The lamination has worn off and I like the aging/distress condition of the cards now from the lamination wearing off, but I want to re-laminate them to keep them right where they are at this moment.
Don't want to do bulky/stiff press lamination. Is there a spray or something?
Thanks!
G6
Would spray fixative really cause cards to warp? I can see that happening if you put on a thick, wet coat all at once, yeah, but you're not supposed to use it like that.
I suggest testing a good quality fixative on some spare cards or something of similar weight before giving up on it. I mean, artists use it all the time on artwork - I have many times and never saw warping. Though I never did anything the size and weight of tarot cards so I can't say for sure. But I feel it's worth a try.
For sure it's better than packing tape (sorry but no! don't do that lol) and for me, even the risk of warped cards would be preferable to that lamination pouch plastic feel.
Just don't lay on a heavy coat with the spray - use a very light hand and let it dry completely before the next coat. Putting on a second coat before the first one has cured WILL make it sticky. And you probably should do both sides (not at the same time of course) to lessen the chance of warping.
I have a potentially stupid suggestion. Would the cards fit on a piece of clear packing tape? That may not make them add easy to shuffle and handle, but if it works it should be cheap, and easy to acquire the needed material if you don't already have some in a drawer. They will probably be super glossy at first. Unfortunately (or, perhaps, fortunately) the tape will also wear over time.
I am very interested in chocbird's suggestions. I use packing tape to reinforce or repair covers on some of my soft cover books. I have been putting this layer of tape on them for around 20 years, but perhaps I should do it the "right" way. I will look into how much it will cost for this stuff, how easy it is to apply, and how long it will last. Glad I came across this thread.
I would love to see the current condition of these cards that you want to preserve. I love the worn look on many of my things, but I usually let them continue to change/degrade with time and use. When I have attempted to freeze time it always turns out terribly, or feels and looks fake. Best of luck.
