Sakura 3D Crystal Lacquer is a sticky viscous liquid, similar to a sticky pva glue, which dries clear and glossy with a slight amount of give. Applied to flat surfaces it creates a domed effect that makes flat surfaces resemble "puffy" stickers.
The Sakura Hobby Craft Website has several projects demonstrating the use of their 3D Crystal Lacquer. A harder format UV Crystal Lacquer which needs UV lights or sunlight to cure is also available.
Easy to Use With Great Tack
Labelled as Acid Free, Water based, and Non Toxic, Sakura's 3D Crystal Lacquer is a thick, clear, gloss glaze applied via a bottle or fine applicator to create raised lines and surfaces on top of flat paper, plastic, foil or other surfaces. The technique is similar to applying fine lines of paint or glue. Several applications may be required to make the surface as high as you wish.
Once dry, the material retains its high gloss and gently rounded form without being too soft. It sticks well to smooth plastic as well as paper and thin foil. Made from a similar material to the glaze in Sakura Glaze Pens, the 3D Crystal Lacquer appears to be a PVA based product, which cleans up easily with water. It can be difficult to use with tiny items as the material is extremely tacky, for small items, you may be advised to mount them on a piece of clear tape before applying the lacquer, in order that they remain on your working surface (tape) rather than the tip of the applicator nozzle, or your tweezers.
The lacquer works well when applied 'as is' to make tiny "rhinestones" and "gems" from sequins or shapes punched from foil or foil ribbon. It also adds good dimension to the 'cells' of clear or colored miniature wings like those from OOAK Artist Emporium for fairies or other fantasy creatures. It can be combined with watercolor paints to create colored glaze effects, although Sakura do sell this product in sets of basic colors and pearl colors.
Use As an Overcoat For Glitters and Beads to Make Gem and Polished Stone Effects
Transparent dragonfly wings from OOAK Artists Emporium, partially finished with Sakura Crystal Lacquer to create dimensionality.
Photo © 2012 Lesley ShepherdLike a PVA glue, 3D Crystal Lacquer can be used mixed with fine glitter or tiny beads to add to the visible layered effect for miniatures. It dries quickly, and does not appear to yellow with age. For the best effect, you may need to apply two to three coats to build up the thickness you need, applying fine glitter, no hole beads, or flakes of Angelina films or other irridescent heat set films. The 'lacquer' does shrink slightly as it dries.
Sakura also make a version of this crystal lacquer designed to harden under UV lights or natural sunlight. Sakura Crystal Lacquer UV hardens to a firmer surface than does the original Sakura 3D Crystal Lacquer.
