I searched on the forums, but didn't find anything that seemed to pertain to this being discussed in the past, so here's my question:

Do any of you do anything to "protect" or "coat" your transparencies? I just got some new transparencies for my laser printer and I like the quality of prints, but if you scratch the printed side or even press against it (sometimes) the ink will flake off. I found that it started to do this after I'd already glued some of them into my Maiden build. I tried to put the printed surface on the side that is least likely to be touched, but that doesn't mean it won't happen. (as evidenced by my carelessness while assembling today)

One thought I had was to just cut up a section of a blank transparency matching the printed portion and glue that on as another layer on it so the printed surface is sandwiched between 2 layers of transparencies. Since I've already glued some of them together into my decking, I didn't really want to have to redo that decking completely, though.

Try a clear varnish, like GWs 'ard coat. It allows you to target specifically where you want to cover, you wont have to worry about cutting the section out twice and using twice as much material, and it dries clear. It works great for everything I put it on. It is a fantastic sealer. I am also using the Vallejo version which works every bit as well, and you get more in the bottle for about the same price.

Its glossy. I don't know if they make a matte brush on varnish. When I use it on a model, I usually spray with testors dulcote, but you want to avoid that as it will only "fog" your transparency. It will be no more glossy than the transparency itself however.

Maybe try matte varnish or what ppl call 'dull coat'. It's what miniature painters use to avoid the annoying glossy finish most varnishes leave.

Be sure to share your results!

Dullcote will leave a foggy finish!

Colonel Schofer tested some sealing options for transparencies and posted a link to it .

FYI, my laser printed transparencies have not had any problems. This may helped by using official toner (Fuji-Xerox printer) and the builds with transparencies not getting much use. (Prints with OEM toner were prone to flaking so I didn't even try transparencies with that.)

Now that I've switched to an inkjet (HP 8600) it's time to pick up some inkjet transparencies. (Using unprinted left-over laser transparencies for my first test build with this printer - so far the 8600 is equal to or ahead of the laser in every respect).