A Buyer’s Guide to Canvas Prints – All You Need to Know
Are you contemplating purchasing a present for a loved one? For Father’s Day or Mother’s Day this year, why not present your parents with a canvas print? It’s graduation time for your daughter. Why not present her with a canvas print as a memento of the event?
In addition to being a terrific present, canvas prints may also be used as a way to decorate your house. Bring personality and flair to your living area by decorating your lounge, bedroom, or dining room with eye-catching canvas prints. With canvas prints, you have a wide range of alternatives when it comes to adorning your home’s walls.
We’ve broken down everything you need to know about selecting the perfect canvas print for your home decor or gifting requirements in our short buyer’s guide.
High-Quality Photos Make Excellent Canvas Prints
In order to get an accurate representation of your image on canvas, you must pay attention to the quality of your photograph. If your image doesn’t have a high enough resolution, no printing method will be able to use it.
Unfortunately, the correct resolution required for photos used in canvas printing is not understood by the majority of individuals. Most individuals aren’t interested in understanding how pixels, file size, and dpi affect the canvas print.
Canvas printing should be alright if the image appears good on your phone’s screensaver, right?
Incompetent printers will go ahead and print your low-quality image, then blame you for the outcome. To ensure a good canvas print, look for printers who can help you select the right image type.
Canvas prints demand better picture quality if they are going to be larger than 8×10 or 8×12 inches. A 20×20-inch canvas print is a maximum size for Facebook and Instagram images taken on your phone.
If you want to print your photo on a 48″ × 36″ canvas, you’ll need a picture with a resolution of at least 10 Megapixels (3888 x 2592). Please call your printer and ask them about the right file size for the canvas print if you are unsure.
Does Your Photo Qualify for Printing?
The reality is that not every photograph should be printed. It’s a good idea to save certain photos on your memory card, but others are better off deleted. Nicely-taken shots that convert well into bigger images are ideal for canvas prints. The following questions should be answered before you send your photograph to a printing company:
- Is the image sharp?
- Are there any traces of digital noise?
- Is there enough light?
- On a huge canvas, will this print look good?
After you’ve checked off all the boxes, ask around to see if anyone else has an opinion before making a final decision. Printing a bad photo is the most annoying thing you can do.
Is the Image Composition a Good Fit for a Canvas Project?
Composition is important. Check the photo’s composition and context before sending it to the printers.
A good rule of thumb is to include all of the children in the shot and to avoid cutting off any of their heads or arms. All of them should be looking at the camera, with their mouths open and their eyes wide.
Printing abstract canvas wall art for your living room should include the complete piece in your picture. It’s always a good idea to double-check your file before sending it to a printer, just in case.
Printing something that you later regret may be a common mistake for many individuals. Take a look at the backdrop of your images to make sure they’re clear. Look for any indications that there are unwelcome visitors lurking in the shadows. Inspect the photo to see if there are any obstacles that might detract from it.
There must be a compelling reason to exhibit a picture on canvas if you’re going to do so.
Canvas Print Styles
Canvas prints come in a wide variety of designs. Your home’s interior decor can be reflected in the many styles and shapes available.
You may purchase a single photograph on canvas, or you can create a collage by arranging many photos in various frames. Four individual canvases will be used to create a bigger painting, with each component representing a separate section.
You have a lot of options when it comes to the style of your canvas print. Traditional square and rectangular designs, as well as unconventional shapes such as hexagons, are all acceptable options.
In most cases, the shape of the canvas is determined by the picture itself. You’ll need to use square photographs for social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
When painting on a rectangle, the picture will be distorted. If you’re not sure what shape to choose, ask your printer. Asking the printer if the picture will work with a certain canvas shape is another excellent option.
When photographing landscapes, such as sunsets and other natural beauties, you’ll get the best results. Square canvases are great for depicting people and animals. You may get inspiration for your next canvas print on Pinterest and other social networking sites.
The 21st birthday is an excellent occasion to give a collage canvas print to a friend or family member. Combine photos of you and your loved ones having a wonderful time over the years on the images.
You may have to pay more for the design and setup of a collage print from the printer. As you hand it along to your friend or family member and see their face light up, you’ll realize it was all worth it.
Quality Prints and Canvases
It’s time to evaluate the printer after deciding on your image and the canvas you wish to use for your print. Doing a little research before placing an order will save you a lot of time and money along the way.
Some printers will take your image, produce a poor job, wrap it up, take your money, and let you walk away. This is a bad practice. Printers are going to blame you if you open the package and find a lousy print job at home.
Before placing an order, do some research on the printer you intend to use. Ask them about the printing techniques they employ and if they have any customer testimonials to back up their claims.
The following are some of the most important questions to ask your printer.
- What type of printer do they have? “
- What kind of canvas are they using, matte or glossy?
- Is the printer equipped with a variety of inks?
- What is the canvas’s thickness?
- Do they do laminate printing, and if so, how do they do it?
Consider pigment ink printers instead of dye-sub printers. Despite the fact that pigment inks are less bright, they are far more durable.
Make sure your printer is utilizing the HVLP lamination technology on your canvas to get the best results possible. Using HVLP to laminate your canvas provides a long-lasting and robust surface that is almost watertight.
The downside to laminating your canvas is that it gives it a plastic appearance. Consequently, take your time before adding this option to your order. If you don’t need to protect your canvas print from the elements, we recommend leaving it untreated.
Canvas Print Finishing Touches: What to Look for
The final appearance and feel of your canvas print might be influenced by a few small factors that you provide when placing your purchase. These last touches are important, and they may have a significant impact on the finished product’s appearance and feel.
The corners of your finished canvas are a good place to start. There’s a good chance that your canvas was made by an apprentice if the corners and folds are uneven. Check to see if the canvas folds inward from the sides or the top. A return and refund are warranted if that’s the case.
Canvases that fold well, resulting in a tight and smooth appearance with minimal bulk, are ideal. The following are also significant factors for your canvas:
- Is the canvas stretched tightly over the frame?
- The staples are placed in a specific way. – Do they appear to be uniform and consistent?
A canvas print that is stretched by hand is always going to look its finest. Then, take a look at the tape. Staples may be seen if the print has the wrong finishing trim.
Last but not least, are there brackets and string included with the canvas in order to hang it? Do not leave the framing or printing shop until you are satisfied with the results.
Check for mistakes before leaving the store if you’re picking it up from the printer Make sure the printer you’re purchasing from has a return policy if you’re shopping online.
Passionate Writer, Blogger and Amazon Affiliate Expert since 2014.