Canvas printing research and history.

Canvas printing is a term used to describe the combination of modern printing technology onto the archival material of canvas. It is a specialised process that turns digital artwork into traditional framed artwork. Following the digital process of producing artwork from photographic imagery or digital art to cotton canvas material, the canvas is then stretched over gallery framing bars. Some may even be wrapped around the frame, allowing the image to continue or reflect over the side edges of the canvas.

Over the last few years canvas printing has been revolutionised by the introduction of digital online printing providers. Things that were not possible in the past are readily available now. Even better, those features or techniques that used to drive up the cost and take weeks of production time have now been dramatically reduced because of improved technology.

Canvas prints take advantage of modern printing technology such as giclee to enhance and optimise the quality of the images or photographs provided. Giclee is the description given for fine art digital prints made on ink-jet printers. This process is the chosen application for quality canvas printing producers. The name originally applied to fine art prints created on IRIS printers in a process invented in the late 1980s but has since come to mean any high quality ink-jet print and is often used by canvas companies and print shops to produce quality canvas prints.

The quality of the materials used in canvas printing will make a major difference to the printed image. Canvas printing material can come in varying styles, textures, thickness and weight. Digital inkjet canvas is normally available in matt, satin or gloss finishes. The style of the canvas material is down to personal taste but the coated satin and gloss material will offer an enhanced colour and brightness reproduction.

The finish to any art or presentation product can make the difference from an average creation to a stunning piece of art. The contrast and colour of the canvas printing is the visual importance which must be required but the finish of the art is what provides the difference between good and great decorative art.

There are many styles of stretcher bars available on the market but aim for pine bars which are hinged. This allow the frames to expand after the canvas print has been mounted, this means if your canvas print ever goes saggy over time you can re-stretch it without having to take it off the frame.

The final stage in the process of canvas printing is the application of lacquer. Not all digital online photo to canvas companies offer this finishing enhancement, so chose carefully when purchasing. With SimpleCanvas the lacquer is applied with a spray gun and compressor to ensure an even coverage and finish like no other. Our canvas prints will have a typical authentic and traditional look but also a slight 'glisten' when the light catches the print.

At our workshop in Wolverhampton, West Midlands our canvases are made from the highest quality canvas printing technology, very commonly preferred among professional artists, photographers and digital designers. Canvas prints are artistry at its finest and with the digital advantage of canvas printing, we at SimpleCanvas can provide a brilliant method of preservation and creation that will withstand the test of time.