Budding artists and photographers take pride in their work. With the stroke of a brush or a click of a shutter, they can convey messages and moods that impact their audience. To bridge the gap between works in progress and finalized illustrations, professionals utilize printing techniques.
One of the most popular, canvas printing, is a technique that displays photos over an artfully stretched canvas, giving them a unique texture.
This form of printing uses an inkjet printer to copy the art onto the material, creating a completely borderless appearance that adds sophistication to an exhibit or space. But what should you be aware of before moving forward with this printing method?
Here are 10 things you should know about canvas printing and what makes it a beloved practice.
Linen and Cotton Are Common Materials for Canvases
Canvases are coarse, durable pieces of cloth stretched over a wooden frame. While the cloth can come from hemp or flax, cotton and linen are among the most common materials used in canvas creation.
It helps to note the quality of cotton and linen before moving forward with a canvas print. The higher the quality of the textile, the more expensive the canvas will be.
Canvas Printing Creates Durable Pieces
Canvas printing creates the most durable prints you can find on the market. Thanks to their sturdy construction, canvases do not get damaged as easily as paper prints.
However, there are certain things to keep in mind to maintain your print for as long as possible. Canvas prints are prone to fading, so avoid displaying pieces in direct sunlight or in fluorescent lighting. When cleaning, lightly dust the print with a duster or soft cloth to avoid buildup.
You never want to use chemicals to clean a canvas since it may have a UV-protective coating to maintain its quality.
There Are Two Types of Canvas Exits
When it comes to canvas printing types, it helps to know there are two options to choose from. Single-panel prints are a singular form of media that depicts a complete image. This type of printing is the most common method artists and photographers use as it does not break up the image. Single-panel printing is perfect for showcasing landscapes and complies with museum longevity requirements.
On the other hand, multi-panel prints leave a distinct impression on the viewer. Multi-panel prints display an image across three or more canvases. To achieve the effect, the inkjet printer will amplify the illustration to fit the number of panels you desire.
Canvas Printing Provides Vivid Visuals
Another thing to know about canvas printing is the quality of the image you can achieve with the method. Canvas prints can depict exceptional visuals with an amazing color display.
The incorporated texture from the cloth on the frame provides another form of visual interest, resulting in a photographic image with a painted look.
Canvas Printing Is Not Canvas Painting
Some people believe canvas printing and canvas painting are the same, but the main difference is in their names. While canvas painting typically involves the use of paints and brushes to create a vivid illustration directly on the canvas, canvas printing takes a different approach with its materials.
Using archival ink and an inkjet printer, canvas printing recreates existing images automatically. Whether it is a photograph or a digital image of a painting, this printing method will reproduce any picture you want without manual labor.
Image Resolution Is Critical to the Final Look
Image resolution is critical when producing canvas prints. Nothing is more discouraging than taking a beautiful photo only to realize how unfocused and poor quality it is during the printing stage. When selecting photos to print on a canvas, it helps to consider their dots per inch (DPI) to determine the resolution of the final image.
Depending on the canvas size, you may need to select images with a higher DPI. For example, a print size of 1 by 1 calls for a 300 by 300 resolution to achieve a 300 DPI. On the other hand, an 8 by 8 print size requires a 2400 by 2400 resolution to achieve the same DPI value.
Canvas Printing Does Not Require Framing
Since canvas printing stretches images over a wood frame, the final product does not require a frame. Canvas-printed pieces are often borderless, resulting in a sleek, clean mount.
You can frame a canvas print if your client requests it, but it is not standard for this technique.
Canvas Printing Is Not Similar to Acrylic Photo Prints
Unfortunately, some may confuse canvas printing and acrylic prints, but they are not the same. These printing methods are vastly different from one another and produce different results.
Acrylic printing involves either printing images directly on plexiglass or printing on paper and then mounting to acrylic. Acrylic printing is not only incompatible with some photography types but also produces images with a glare that depreciates a photograph’s original quality.
You Can Print Images on Different Shapes
When selecting images to print, many small business owners gravitate toward the typical rectangular shape that a standard canvas provides. However, there are plenty of shapes and sizes to choose from!
For instance, canvases may come in hexagon, square, miniature-sized, and circular shapes that can add visual interest to your images. There are also different inkjet printers available with settings to accommodate for specialty printing tasks.
You Can Achieve Captivating Canvas Prints With the Right Partner
While creating stunning prints starts with a clear, pristine image, the process should end with a partner who shares your interest in premium-quality work!
The company you select should have experts with extensive knowledge and access to high-tech equipment that can produce prints with ease.
When bringing original artwork and photography to your audience, you should know that canvas printing is an amazing solution that provides flawless results. When it comes museum quality canvas printing, look no further than The Stackhouse.
Our services include giclee printing on canvas using premium-quality equipment. After each print, we apply protective coatings to ensure your prints look their best and withstand time.
