The popularity of your photo to canvas prints has grown considerably over the last couple of years and with is so have the number of companies selling your photo to canvas products. So how do you choose which company to use? Is price the main factor or should you be looking for the details?

Types of Canvas

The weight and type of canvas is important, a company that uses a top of the range canvas will state which make of canvas they use, otherwise it could be a cheap import. Too many companies say they use 100% cotton canvas as it is better than a poly cotton blend well in some cases this is true but a high-quality poly cotton blend is better than a cheap 100% cotton canvas, the same as a high quality 100% cotton canvas is better than a cheap poly cotton canvas. A 100% cotton canvas has a more authentic canvas look which is given by the less uniformed rougher weave, which in my opinion is better for artwork and painting reproductions. A poly cotton blend has a more uniformed look to it so suits photographs more than a 100% cotton canvas. The canvas also needs to have a good weight, I wouldn’t recommend anything below 350gsm as a heavier canvas can be stretched tighter and so will not sag with time, some canvases can be as thin as paper from your printer at home so beware.

Inks

The basic rule is that if the inks used are not pigment inks you should not be buying it. The most popular printers used by canvas printers are the Epson printers and use genuine Epson Ultrachrome inks which are all pigment inks and in my opinion the best around.

Wood frame or stretcher bars?

The main thing to look for regarding the frame is the type of wood used. As wood is a porous material it is susceptible to water in the atmosphere, and can warp over time due to expanding and shrinking with water absorption. The wood needs to be kiln dried as it will not warp over time. The main advantage for using stretcher bars is that they have a shaped edge at the front so that the canvas is not resting on the frame at the front, normal square frames have the canvas resting on them and over time you may find you can see where the frame edge ends.

Is it laminated?

If it is a quality print then it will keep it’s colour for years even in direct sunlight so it does not need laminating for this reason, although lamination will increase it’s life. The main reason a print needs laminating is to protect it from scratches and chips, and also to ensure it can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Laminating will double the life of your canvas ensuring that it can be moved around without risk of cracking or chipping.

I hope this has helped you to know what to look for when buying a your photo to canvas print.

By: JS Fox