Canvas Prints
So what exactly is a canvas print? Basically, it is an inkjet print produced on specially coated canvas rather than 'ordinary' inkjet paper. You can find out more about the properties of canvas prints by reading our glossary entries.
There is often confusion surrounding when to use canvas for a print. While there are in fact some classes of canvas that are quite smooth, canvas prints are generally best suited to 'softer' images, portraits, or 'dreamy' images that aren't trying to show off the finest of details. In general, images that have fine details (that you want to emphasize/enhance) are best printed on the glossy class of papers (i.e. high-gloss, semi-gloss, satin, pearl finishes) or ultra-smooth matte/fine art papers.
Having said that, here at Giantprint we use canvas of the highest quality, and, when combined with our high-end printing equipment and expertise, can produce canvas prints with exceptional sharpness.
There are a number of ways by which canvas prints can be displayed. Firstly, they can be mounted traditionally, namely, inside a frame and behind glass. Secondly, they can be mounted using a hanging system, such as our Elegant Poster Hanger™ solution. Thirdly, they can be stretched over a wooden frame which is then mounted to a wall.
There are two main ways by which canvas prints are stretched over a wooden frame: the gallery wrap method or the museum wrap method.
So what advantages are there for purchasing canvas prints from Giantprint? Below is a list of some of the advantages:
- Basically, we do not take shortcuts and our canvas prints are designed to last.
- Buy from the photo enlargements and canvas prints experts, with a strong focus on colour management and archival preparation.
- Buy from an Australian-owned company that produces all of its prints right here in Australia.
- Printed at close to 3000 dpi resolution - the highest available resolution of any large-format printer that uses pigment-based inks.
- We use only premium, heavy-grade canvas made of 100% cotton (does not contain lignin).
- All canvas is acid-free and optical-brightener-free (OBA-free), for greater longevity and resistance to fade.
- Produced using original-equipment-manufacturer (OEM) inks, which are carefully monitored for quality and are designed specifically for the printing equipment we use. We do not use third-party inks under any circumstances.
- Produced using archival-grade pigment inks. We do not use dye-based inks under any circumstances due to their comparatively limited resistance to fade.
- For stretched canvas prints, all frames are made of wood derived from sustainable regrowth forests. They are specially prepared and checked to ensure durability. Each wooden frame is treated to prevent acid migration from decaying lignin in the wood reaching the canvas. Furthermore, the canvas is attached to the frame using only stainless steel fasteners, which are very strong and aren't prone to rust.
- Each print is coated with a specially selected solution designed to provide scuff resistance, as well as additional protection from UV light and atmospheric contaminants that contribute to colour fade (please note: your typical indoor lighting, whether tungsten-based or fluorescent-based, produces a certain amount of UV light, although not as strong as sunlight).
- Choice of gallery wrap mounting or museum wrap mounting, for canvas prints stretched over a wooden frame.
- Delivered in packaging material that is either 100% recycled, 100% recyclable or 100% biodegradable.
- Option to order an A4-size printed proof before proceeding, produced on the exact canvas as the final print, which allows you to have a fair idea of the sharpness and colour of the end product.