Canvas prints have increased in popularity recently due to their cost-effectiveness and how easy they are to mount onto walls. The printing process is similar to that of a photograph but because of the texture of the canvas it doesn’t show as many finer details, leading to the canvases “arty” edge. As with all types of prints, the longevity of a canvas will depend on what materials are used, with various different canvas qualities being available.
Therefore, in order to print fine art onto a canvas, you need to make sure you’re using the right printing techniques and the right equipment.
Getting the Right Canvas Quality
A cheap, budget canvas could result in your print being easily scratched or scuffed, and unless you frame it behind glass, it’s probably not going to last that long. However, if you do put a canvas behind glass, you are going to lose some of the artistic quality of the image and it will also reduce the cost-effectiveness of this type of print. Sourcing high quality print materials will make for the highest quality results.
When putting a reproduction on canvas, it’s important that you’re using the highest grade canvas that has been optimised for printing photographs on. These types of canvases will boast a water-resistant surface that is acid-free, which will enable you to reproduce your photo / artwork to a high resolution. The canvas will also be guaranteed not to curl, crack or yellow, and because of the high content of alpha cellulose (which is found in cotton) it is naturally free from acid. The longevity of the canvas is also prolonged as no optical brighteners have been used, which are known to affect this.
Protecting Your Canvas After Printing
After you’ve printed onto your canvas, it’s recommended to use a roll-on lacquer. This will make your canvas waterproof and will protect it from UV rays, which could cause the colour of your artwork to fade. This coating isn’t visible to the eye but provides your canvas with much-needed protection to make sure it lasts even longer. And, if your canvas becomes dusty or dirty, you can just wipe over the surface without damaging the print underneath.
The Advantages of Using a Canvas for Reproducing Your Fine Art
All-in-all, canvases have a number of advantages when it comes to reproducing your fine art prints. Not only do they add to the overall artistic feel of the image but they are also an affordable solution for doing this. Unlike traditional framed prints, canvases are much easier to produce.
You can also achieve a minimalistic, effortless look with a canvas, which is what many people seek in their artwork these days. With the borderless finish, they can be placed anywhere to bring a contemporary edge to the home. This can add to the overall impact of the piece you have created, allowing it to speak for itself without the need for a frame.
The lack of frame also means you don’t get any reflections or glare on your canvas and they’ll weigh much less, so they can be placed on all types of walls without additional strengthening being required.