You may have noticed the new labels adorning the bottles and jars in the GOLDEN Mediums, Gels, Pastes, Additives and Varnishes sections of the stores and online retailers. The new fresh look and new naming convention is our way of updating the look of our products, as well as making some of the names of the products easier to understand and more descriptive of their purposes. We have not changed any of the formulas of these products. They are the same tried and true GOLDEN Mediums, Gels, Pastes, Additives and Varnishes that artists have come to rely upon.
The first thing that is a noticeable difference is that the GOLDEN logo has changed in placement and color. There are 5 colors used on these logos, which signify different categories of usage. The orange logo represents Grounds, the lighter blue for Fluid Mediums, the darker blue for Pastes and Gels, the green for Additives and the purple logo is for Varnishes. This change was intended to make it easier for artists and retailers to quickly recognize in which category the material belongs.
The next thing that is likely most noticeable is that some of the names of the products have changed. We felt that it would be easier for most to understand the uses of these products by giving them simpler, more descriptive names. For example, in the case of the name change from Acrylic Flow Release to Wetting Agent, we felt that the name confused people about how it should be used. Without reading the directions and just relying upon the name, people assumed that adding this to paint would make it flow better. In truth, this is a surfactant, meaning literally surface-action. A surfactant is a wetting agent that breaks the tension of the surface area, allowing it to penetrate into an absorbent surface better. This product should always be added to water in a tiny amount (3-4 drops, per 8 ounces of water) that you would then use to thin the paint. Since a surfactant is essentially a soap, if used too concentrated or in too much quantity, it can bubble up with paint brush friction or migrate to the surface and remain sticky and may never properly dry or cure. Another change is Polymer Medium Gloss to Gloss Medium. This change, we felt, would help artists understand that this is our general purpose Gloss Medium and in truth, all of the acrylic paints, mediums, gels and pastes are polymers. If you refer to the chart below, you can reference the old names with the new for most of the changes made. Excluded from the chart are the name changes of the gels, where we simply put the sheen in front of the product. For instance, we changed Soft Gel Gloss to Gloss Soft Gel.
We want everyone to understand clearly that we did not reformulate any of the products. They are exactly the same as they were before the change. Once the older labels have worked their way completely out of circulation, we imagine people will get used to and embrace the ease of the newer naming conventions.
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Great article Stacy, thanks for the clarification!! I’ll be sharing it – Roy
Thanks Roy!
If you REALLY want to make it easy on us, why not put the former name on the label for those that just didn’t happen to stumble upon this article. If I hadn’t read this and went shopping for a formerly purchased product it would mean wasted time online trying to find it under its old name.
Unfortunately, we have limited space on the labels to put information. We changed the names of some of the products, to make them more clear, descriptive and easier to understand and hope moving forward it does just that. Thank you for your suggestion. We try to get as much information out to the public as possible. You can always call us at 800-959-6543 with any questions.
Best,
Stacy
Posting the conversion chart with the products
May be helpful. Thanks.
Hi Susan,
There is a chart in the article showing the most dramatic name changes. In the case of the products not on this chart, it was simply a case of removing the parenthesis, as in “Regular Gel (Gloss)” became “Regular Gel Gloss”. We hope this is helpful and if you should have further questions, feel free to contact us at [email protected].
Good move. I always wondered about the emphasis on technical names on some of the products- they just sounded pretentious to me. Your new names and labels are easily understandable and don’t require me to switch brain gears to “get”. I just have to know what they do and go to it. I’ve always appreciated Golden’s dedication to how artists work and making products that are responsive to our needs. This is one more thing along the way. Thanks!
Thank you Annie. We are glad that this makes it easier for you and hopefully others as well!
Agreed, Annie!
Love the new look!! Your paints are the best!!
Keep helping the world look beautiful through the talents of many loyal customers!!
👩🏼🎨💕✨
Thank you Agnes!
Still getting used to the new names, helps to have them all in a handy list. Thanks for putting it together!
Hi Frances,
Here is a complete list of name changes:
Absorbent Ground (White) is now Absorbent Ground
Acrylic Flow Release is now Wetting Agent
Acrylic Glazing Liquid (Gloss) is now Gloss Glazing Liquid
Acrylic Glazing Liquid (Satin) is now Satin Glazing Liquid
Acrylic Ground for Pastels is now Pastel Ground
Airbrush Transparent Extender is now High Flow Medium
Extra Heavy Gel/Molding Paste is now Extra Heavy Molding Paste
Gel Topcoat w/UVLS (Gloss) is now Gloss UV Topcoat
Gel Topcoat w/UVLS (Satin) is now Semi-Gloss UV Topcoat
MSA Varnish w/UVLS (Gloss) is now Gloss MSA Varnish with UVLS
MSA Varnish w/UVLS (Matte) is now Matte MSA Varnish with UVLS
MSA Varnish w/UVLS (Satin) is now Satin MSA Varnish with UVLS
Polymer Medium (Gloss) is now Gloss Medium
Polymer Varnish with UVLS (Gloss) is now Gloss Polymer Varnish with UVLS
Polymer Varnish with UVLS (Matte) is now Matte Polymer Varnish with UVLS
Polymer Varnish with UVLS (Satin) is now Satin Polymer Varnish with UVLS
Self Leveling Clear Gel is now Clear Leveling Gel
Super Loaded Matte Medium is now Super Matte Medium
We hope this is helpful!
Best,
Stacy