Printing on Canvas - why ?

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stevewestern

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Can anyone explain what the reason for printing on canvas is ?
I have only ever seen one, and it looked fine, but I wasn't paying much attention, so what reasons do people have for doing it - do they look particularly different to having a paper print framed? Don't you loose a certain amount of detail ? Does it suit a certain type of picture ?

What can you tell me ?
 
Hi steveinspain,
Have never thought about it before to be honest.
I have 2 canvas prints in my living room, one of a sunrise and the other of a sunset from mine and the other half’s first holiday.

A few weeks ago I took some shots of my Niece and Nephew and now their parents have 2 canvas prints hung in the bedroom.

Each to their own I guess :shrug:
 
I've go a couple of pictures that I am proud of, had them reproduced in canvas
"just for the hell of it" I do think that they ( canvas prints per se') look quite smart though and can make good presents.
 
I am not saying I don't like them, just why do it over a paper print ?
What advantages do canvas prints have over paper ?
 
Hum - dunno really. I have a huge one of my photos hung in the hallway of a beach shot, plus 4 others around the house. It looks good - texture & matt finish maybe as a glossy print wouldn't have worked in that location because of light reflections.

I hadn't actually considered getting a print done - brainwashed into large prints on canvas thinking they are higher quality(or suggest it) ?
 
Byker28i said:
...........texture & matt finish maybe as a glossy print wouldn't have worked in that location because of light reflections.
Click to expand...

Thats basically what I was getting at in a roundabout sorta way :thumbs:
 
I think it's a hangover from the painted image on canvas. Personally I'm not a fan of canvas, or over textured surfaces, unless it's for a particular effect. But each to his own. I'm looking at the encapsulated acrylic frames at the moment, but they aren't cheap.
 
Chappers said:
I'm looking at the encapsulated acrylic frames at the moment, but they aren't cheap.
Click to expand...

Do you need any special kit to make these? Could you point me to any good suppliers?

Thanks.... Flashy
 
Kerioak - yes, I know it was two, and they both looked good, but I didn't really look close, and it was yours that made me wonder.
I am guessing that they are more expensive than prints normally, and I imagine they show less detail, given the textured surface..
Are they good for certain subjects - I hear the reflections thing, but as already mentioned, a matt or lustre print would be as good for that.
Chappers - can you explain the encapsulated acrylic thing - is this two sheets os acrylic bolted together with the print inside ?
 
Steve

The print is encapsulated in Acrylic resin. I first saw this a year or so ago as a "Venture" product.

There were a few frame producers at Focus but I didn't get a chance to speak to them.

I've located a company that does this, that seems to be the lowest cost I've come across so far. I haven't yet seen the exact design I'm after, so I'm still looking,

Have a look at this link which may help. It may be of interest to Flashman as well. Some of these Acrylics have a very high UV absorbency which does help with image life, but I need to do more research on this

http://www.thedigitalroom.co.uk/sizes_and_prices_acrylic_prints.html

John C
 
I like the framless look which is difficult to achieve without canvas, they also seem to have an air of quality about them probably just percieved but it's there none the less.
 
why canvas?
cos canvas wraps sell well. particularly to wedding customers.
and portrait customers too, come to that.
ask lee p what he thinks of canvas prints.
i personaly would rather have a framed print on paper. but if they want em, we can sell em.
fortunately for us, a firm called picturesque(framers) are right near us, and below the new studio too.
 
Canvases are currently "stylish".

They are not only a way of showing off your photography, but have now become a part of every house. They're a furnishing. Guests comment on them.

Choosing a picture frame is difficult. The print may start and warp over time, you may redecorate and the frame is then out of date....

Canvases never really look odd in any room and rarely age. I have plenty of them in my house - of all shapes and sizes. The fact is - they really do look good in either a modern or traditional home.

Yes, you lose sharpness of an image and yes, some people spend a looong time sharpening to the nth degree - and a canvas does infact wreck this! However, it has its uses too.

How many shots are binned that arent slightly sharp, yet the composure is spot on? Well - canvas can really bring that picture back to life.

The differet textures that canvas present (there are several finishes) can also change the picture dramatically.

For example, landscape work, images with lots of water in (I do a lot of on-water photography) really do jump out at you when on a glossy canvas. Still a texture, but has a "sheen" to it.

Portrait work can be softened, looks more personal and almost like you can "touch" it, which is what creating a scene is all about. Feeling the moment, the mood etc A matt effect is better here, where reflections are reduced.

It's more than just a "canvas print". Printing and selecting the media can have a huge impact on the overall effect.

Canvas is another weapon in your arsenal :) And, when done right, will really please your clients (or the wife!) and is a guaranteed smile as a gift.
 
I thank you all for your replies !
I had no idea there were different finishes, and LeeP's first line seemed to say what I was wondering - if it was just a 'currently stylish' thing, but I now see that it might be worth a proper look one day. I live in an old Spanish farmhouse with rough uneven walls, and I like the neatness that a simple black frame gives to offset a print, but will think hard when next ordering anything..
 
Great thread folks! I've got three whopping huge canvases at home. One is painted with the abstract of a horse in bitumen and it's the colour and texture that really brings the room alive. I have another two that have been done to reproduce paintings. They are both about 4ft x3ft. A good quality canvas costs me about £160 at that size.

Lee is spot on about the texture and the sharpening too. If you look closely at paintings, the detail is not really there. Artwork is best viewed at a distance (And if it's mine, squinting helps too :)) So canvas suits that kind of application really well.
 
As leeP mentioned, I think one of the big advantages of a canvas is that you don't have to have a frame, which gives it a clean look and you don't have to worry about matching to the style of your room and it looking out of place.

The acrylic options I saw at venture look great as well, but have a very modern look to them. Sorry to go off topic but is this something you can do Lee or are looking at doing?
 
Absolutely!

However, getting it right in-house before we release it to the market :)

Concentrating mainly on the high quality prints, canvases and fine art media presently :) Looking to do film processing in the future also as there are few places that offer MF and BW processing....

Lee
 
So, how 'cleanable' are canvas prints ?
It is mega dusty out here, so while i wouldn't want to be putting them in the wash, can they be cleaned??
 
Steve

Depends on the process/materials.

Our prints are all water resistant, so you can use a damp cloth/moist duster to take the dust off :)
 
LeeP said:
Canvases are currently "stylish".
Click to expand...


I disagree with that statement LeeP !!!

I seem to remember being in the odd gallery with paintings on the walls from hundreds of years ago, and they all were on canvas too

Hasn't it been 'stylish' or in vogue for quite some time then ???

:D:D:D

DD
 
hey, some things remain stylish for ages - remember loons, or tank tops, or Oxford bags, or new romantics...?
 
Kerioak - I will do that - you had mentioned them but my brain being what it is had chosen to forget..
 
DiddyDave said:
I disagree with that statement LeeP !!!

I seem to remember being in the odd gallery with paintings on the walls from hundreds of years ago, and they all were on canvas too

Hasn't it been 'stylish' or in vogue for quite some time then ???

:D:D:D

DD
Click to expand...

Correct DD.

But what goes around, comes around!

I'm sure that public hangings and what not will be back soon too :bat:
 
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