What's the point of printing on canvas?

civiletti · 04-02-2012, 11:29 PM

Originally posted by philbaum

Its sort of an odd article, he talks about the life of canvas and then often refers to dye inks

He answers the question, "how long will a canvas print last?"

So he discusses the life expectancy of each component: the canvas itself, and the common ink types, dye and pigment, and protective coatings. That's a complete examination with testing to back up the conclusions.

philbaum · 04-03-2012, 12:03 AM

Originally posted by civiletti

He answers the question, "how long will a canvas print last?"

So he discusses the life expectancy of each component: the canvas itself, and the common ink types, dye and pigment, and protective coatings. That's a complete examination with testing to back up the conclusions.

I've spent over $1000 in canvas orders in the last 2 years, and none of the 4 firms i've been in contact with is using anything but pigmented inks for "giclee" printing, thats why it surprised me that he would spend much time discussing dye inks for "archival" printing. I wouldn't even consider a firm using dye inks.

philbaum · 04-03-2012, 08:52 AM

Originally posted by normhead

Of the money we made selling prints last year, all of it came from canvas. I can charge more for a canvas print that I send out to have done, than I can for a framed print, where I've had to clean the frame then custom cut a mat. # times as much work, and I can't get as much for it selling it. I'm hoping it's a fad. But right now we're debating whether or not to even buy frames this year, we made so little on them last year. As for what we have hanging in our house, I really like the canvases. My rule for art shows is " Never print something you wouldn't want hanging in your house." Because if it doesn't sell, that's what's going to happen to it. Right now we have both prints and canvases hanging, but just because of their size, 20x30, I notice the canvases more. Someone mentioned canvas hides imperfections with texture. It's more than that. My canvases are not behind glass, so they also don't emit glare or reflect light. They always look good. Some of my framed images right now , just looking around the room, I can't even see the image because of window light reflected in the glass.

Well said! I have that same rule and said it many times to my brother when we sold together: if you wouldn't want it hanging in your house...don't print.

I just put up a show of 16 canvas prints (some older -not as good, and some newer which i think are quite nice), in a wine seller's shop and am scheduled for 1 month. 2 of the nicer ones have sold in the first 4 days along with 1 i brought in initially to get the gig. Its a very nice thing to have happen but my ability to replace them is limited since it takes 2-3 weeks to get new ones. Anyway, the shop keeper seems delighted, and there's a good chance i will be invited back

Same as framed prints, just because its on canvas, doesn't mean its going to sell. My house is "littered" with ones that didn't sell - ah... the life an artist

mysticcowboy · 04-08-2012, 04:21 PM

Phil,
Who do you use?

BTW, like your site.

philbaum · 04-08-2012, 11:13 PM

Originally posted by mysticcowboy

Phil,
Who do you use?

BTW, like your site.

Giclee Factory, Quebec Canada

Thank you!

mysticcowboy · 04-10-2012, 06:57 AM

Thanks, Phil. Their prices look great.

jenns · 06-17-2012, 06:26 PM

I have used canvas in the past with some success (in regards to selling my work), but over the past year have experimented with other mediums such as mounting my image to bamboo, acrylic and aluminum. I love the way it stands out among traditional frames and canvas which everyone else is using and I can set a higher price point. The only drawback is the upfront cost is more, but most companies have a pro photographer program and wholesale pricing. I have used a company called Bumblejax out of Seattle and have been extremely pleased. The acrylic product with metallic paper really makes a statement particularly with images of vibrant color.
Here is their website

Transit · 06-26-2012, 07:57 PM

I chose canvas for this which I mounted and framed myself for my daughters birthday.
I wanted the texture, longevity and lack of gloss. Didn't put glass over it.
I did edit out the her of a big dust spot

Pete

K100D DA14

forestG · 07-19-2012, 05:15 AM

its a flavour thing some like canvas some like gloss prints on 1" foamcore others matt behind glass. simple as that. painting has nothing to do with it, i make them at work and we get allsort arty, collages, studio stuff, tram banner-bus scroll, the list goes on...

stace8383 · 07-24-2012, 10:07 PM

Some people just like how it looks. I think it works very well for some photos, but not all. I guess it comes down to personal preference, same as most things!

Frogfish · 07-25-2012, 02:07 AM

Very interesting thread. I haven't printed anything on canvas yet but have been tempted to.

Can anyone give advice as to which subjects / colours seem to present best on canvas, acrylic and aluminium ? Or are there any subjects / dominant colours to avoid ?

Thanks !

Marc Sabatella · 07-25-2012, 03:08 PM

Totally subjective, but I am almost invariably impressed by portraits printed on canvas but left cold by landscapes printed on canvas.

**interested_observer** · 07-26-2012, 03:20 AM

Excellent thread!! I recently took some images that surprised me. I have received comments that they look like paintings, which has gotten me started thinking about maybe printing them on canvas for my office. Also, thanks for the reference to the Giclee Factory....

JenniferLeigh · 07-26-2012, 11:25 AM

I sell prints here and there, and all of the prints I've sold have been on canvas with the exception of one. I find prints on canvas to be a little more forgiving than paper. For example, I recent sold a panoramic which I was reluctant to sell because one of the stitched shots was slightly out of focus. My friend didn't care if I 100% happy with the shot, she wanted that print as the location was meaningful. I'll was extremely pleased with the 40x13 canvas print, the softness was not noticeable.

I'm fortunate because my partner actually produces canvas and fine art prints ("giclees"), he opened his own shop about 4 years ago.

Phyllis Sasso · 03-06-2013, 04:18 AM

Hi,
I have a canvas print photograph of my daughter. I had it done from Photos on Canvas | Print on Canvas | FREE Artistic Effects at a reasonable price. In fact the website was recommended to me by a friend who swears by the quality of work done by them. Well I am totally in sync with her as they did a fantastic job with my canvas prints.
I definitely recommend them to all and sundry.

04-03-2012, 12:03 AM	#17
philbaum Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Port Townsend, Washington State, USA Posts: 3,659	Originally posted by civiletti He answers the question, "how long will a canvas print last?" So he discusses the life expectancy of each component: the canvas itself, and the common ink types, dye and pigment, and protective coatings. That's a complete examination with testing to back up the conclusions. I've spent over $1000 in canvas orders in the last 2 years, and none of the 4 firms i've been in contact with is using anything but pigmented inks for "giclee" printing, thats why it surprised me that he would spend much time discussing dye inks for "archival" printing. I wouldn't even consider a firm using dye inks. Last edited by philbaum; 04-03-2012 at 08:06 AM.

07-19-2012, 05:15 AM	#24
forestG Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: melb, au Photos: Gallery Posts: 100	why?????? its a flavour thing some like canvas some like gloss prints on 1" foamcore others matt behind glass. simple as that. painting has nothing to do with it, i make them at work and we get allsort arty, collages, studio stuff, tram banner-bus scroll, the list goes on...

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04-02-2012, 11:29 PM	#16
civiletti Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oregon Photos: Albums Posts: 1,435	Originally posted by philbaum Its sort of an odd article, he talks about the life of canvas and then often refers to dye inks He answers the question, "how long will a canvas print last?" So he discusses the life expectancy of each component: the canvas itself, and the common ink types, dye and pigment, and protective coatings. That's a complete examination with testing to back up the conclusions.

04-03-2012, 08:52 AM	#18
philbaum Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Port Townsend, Washington State, USA Posts: 3,659	Originally posted by normhead Of the money we made selling prints last year, all of it came from canvas. I can charge more for a canvas print that I send out to have done, than I can for a framed print, where I've had to clean the frame then custom cut a mat. # times as much work, and I can't get as much for it selling it. I'm hoping it's a fad. But right now we're debating whether or not to even buy frames this year, we made so little on them last year. As for what we have hanging in our house, I really like the canvases. My rule for art shows is " Never print something you wouldn't want hanging in your house." Because if it doesn't sell, that's what's going to happen to it. Right now we have both prints and canvases hanging, but just because of their size, 20x30, I notice the canvases more. Someone mentioned canvas hides imperfections with texture. It's more than that. My canvases are not behind glass, so they also don't emit glare or reflect light. They always look good. Some of my framed images right now , just looking around the room, I can't even see the image because of window light reflected in the glass. Well said! I have that same rule and said it many times to my brother when we sold together: if you wouldn't want it hanging in your house...don't print. I just put up a show of 16 canvas prints (some older -not as good, and some newer which i think are quite nice), in a wine seller's shop and am scheduled for 1 month. 2 of the nicer ones have sold in the first 4 days along with 1 i brought in initially to get the gig. Its a very nice thing to have happen but my ability to replace them is limited since it takes 2-3 weeks to get new ones. Anyway, the shop keeper seems delighted, and there's a good chance i will be invited back Same as framed prints, just because its on canvas, doesn't mean its going to sell. My house is "littered" with ones that didn't sell - ah... the life an artist

04-08-2012, 04:21 PM	#19
mysticcowboy Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: port townsend, wa Photos: Albums Posts: 968	Phil, Who do you use? BTW, like your site.

04-08-2012, 11:13 PM	#20
philbaum Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Port Townsend, Washington State, USA Posts: 3,659	Originally posted by mysticcowboy Phil, Who do you use? BTW, like your site. Giclee Factory, Quebec Canada Thank you!

04-10-2012, 06:57 AM	#21
mysticcowboy Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: port townsend, wa Photos: Albums Posts: 968	Thanks, Phil. Their prices look great.

06-17-2012, 06:26 PM	#22
jenns New Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 2	I have used canvas in the past with some success (in regards to selling my work), but over the past year have experimented with other mediums such as mounting my image to bamboo, acrylic and aluminum. I love the way it stands out among traditional frames and canvas which everyone else is using and I can set a higher price point. The only drawback is the upfront cost is more, but most companies have a pro photographer program and wholesale pricing. I have used a company called Bumblejax out of Seattle and have been extremely pleased. The acrylic product with metallic paper really makes a statement particularly with images of vibrant color. Here is their website

06-26-2012, 07:57 PM	#23
Transit Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Whanganui NZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,624	I chose canvas for this which I mounted and framed myself for my daughters birthday. I wanted the texture, longevity and lack of gloss. Didn't put glass over it. I did edit out the her of a big dust spot Pete K100D DA14

07-24-2012, 10:07 PM	#25
stace8383 Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Melbourne Posts: 27	Some people just like how it looks. I think it works very well for some photos, but not all. I guess it comes down to personal preference, same as most things!

07-25-2012, 02:07 AM	#26
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Very interesting thread. I haven't printed anything on canvas yet but have been tempted to. Can anyone give advice as to which subjects / colours seem to present best on canvas, acrylic and aluminium ? Or are there any subjects / dominant colours to avoid ? Thanks !

07-25-2012, 03:08 PM	#27
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Totally subjective, but I am almost invariably impressed by portraits printed on canvas but left cold by landscapes printed on canvas.

07-26-2012, 03:20 AM	#28
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	Excellent thread!! I recently took some images that surprised me. I have received comments that they look like paintings, which has gotten me started thinking about maybe printing them on canvas for my office. Also, thanks for the reference to the Giclee Factory....

07-26-2012, 11:25 AM	#29
JenniferLeigh Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Southern Alberta Posts: 281	I sell prints here and there, and all of the prints I've sold have been on canvas with the exception of one. I find prints on canvas to be a little more forgiving than paper. For example, I recent sold a panoramic which I was reluctant to sell because one of the stitched shots was slightly out of focus. My friend didn't care if I 100% happy with the shot, she wanted that print as the location was meaningful. I'll was extremely pleased with the 40x13 canvas print, the softness was not noticeable. I'm fortunate because my partner actually produces canvas and fine art prints ("giclees"), he opened his own shop about 4 years ago.

03-06-2013, 04:18 AM	#30
Phyllis Sasso Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 1	Hi, I have a canvas print photograph of my daughter. I had it done from Photos on Canvas \| Print on Canvas \| FREE Artistic Effects at a reasonable price. In fact the website was recommended to me by a friend who swears by the quality of work done by them. Well I am totally in sync with her as they did a fantastic job with my canvas prints. I definitely recommend them to all and sundry.