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Professional Matte Varnish
SKU:094376923902
Professional acrylic gessoes, mediums, additives and varnishes - to prep your surfaces all the way through to protecting your finished work. Each medium is uniquely formulated to deliver a different result. From gloss gels to experimental texture effects and finishes, each lets you adjust your paint to suit your practice. Varnishes seal and protect finished work from dirt, dust and UV damage.
Size
8oz/237ml
16oz/473ml
32oz/946ml
128oz/3.78l
$37.29
Quantity
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MEDIUMS
Use with
Acrylic paints & mediums | check |
Use on
All acrylic surfaces | check |
Character
Lightfast & archival | check |
Permanent | check |
Non-yellowing | check |
Flexible & non-cracking | check |
Water-resistant when dry | check |
Intermixable with all Liquitex materials | check |

All our paints are intermixable and water-based, with archival results. Tested and certified at Duke University by the ACMI.
Download safety data sheetMORE INFO
What it does
- 100% acrylic polymer varnish adds a matte sheen, protects and resists dirt retention
- Dries clear to a flexible, non-tacky, hard surface
- Increases brightness and color saturation
- Adjusts and unifies surface sheen
- Improves surface durability - ideal when shipping or exhibiting
- Protects colors from UV light damage
- Resists discoloration - yellowing and fogging - caused by humidity, heat and UV
- Depending on the substrate, it allows surface moisture to pass through and breathe
- Allows for easy cleaning without fear of damaging the acrylic paint film
- Has excellent levelling properties - will not hold brush marks
- Semi-opaque when wet, transparent when dry
- Use on flexible or rigid supports
- Ideal for complete coverage of heavy textures and vertical applications
- Designed for interior and exterior use
How to use it
- As this is permanent, do a patch test first
- Before varnishing ensure paint surface is fully dry (72 hours-two weeks depending on thickness)
- Ensure your space is well ventilated and dirt and dust-free
- Place the artwork flat on a surface - always varnish horizontally
- Stir gently before use
- Do not thin with water
- Use long, even strokes, covering the surface top to bottom while moving from one side to the other - don't go over bits you have missed, but leave to dry and then re-varnish area
- While applying, look for surface bubbles by inspecting it from all angles and even them out immediately
- Apply 1-2 thin coats, allowing at least three hours dry time between coats
- If you require more than two layers, first use Gloss Varnish as a base layer and build to your desired thickness, then apply Satin Varnish as your top coat
How not to use it
- Do not shake or vigorously over-brush as this can result in a foggy, hazy look when dry
- Don't apply with a roller or sponge brush
- Don't apply in one thick coat, but several thin coats, to avoid brush marks, drips and cloudiness
- Don't go back over areas you have already done, as this can cause clouding
- Don't attempt to remove once applied
- Do not use with any non-acrylic media
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Tips & Techniques
Useful guides for varnishing
Varnish FAQs
Other artists have asked us...
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We recommend a synthetic bristle brush which you don't use for color or mediums. Keep it reserved just for varnishing and wash it out really well with warm water and soap, once finished. -
Yes, you can mix our High Gloss, Gloss, Satin and Matte Varnishes to create your perfect level of sheen. The formulas are all compatible - just make sure you don't mix them vigorously as you may capture air bubbles and cause a cloudy effect. -
If it's a piece you want to keep, show or preserve, we recommend varnishing. Our varnishes offer physical protection from knocks and dirt, plus an extra layer of UV-light protection. Acrylic varnish also adjusts and unifies the surface sheen, boosts brightness and color saturation.