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Types Of Canvas Prints

Types of Canvas Prints

Decorating with canvas prints has become one of the most desirable interior decor trends in the world during the past few years. The creativity and quality of canvas prints make them stand out in any situation.

Whether in a home or business, canvas prints offer an affordable alternative to traditionally framed photographs. Canvas prints can make your photos perfect companions for cozy home decor items.

The rising popularity of canvas prints is attributed to their affordability, accessibility, and ease of design. Within the past 15-20 years, technology has made it easier to produce museum-quality canvas prints for consumers. This technology has made buying canvas picture prints much more affordable.

Our 100% American-made canvas prints can range from small format canvas prints to large size canvas prints. The adaptability of canvas makes them perfect in any situation.

You will see canvas prints in homes, offices, restaurants, retail stores, museums, and galleries. Photos on canvas also make unique gifts for birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries. The stellar quality means these photo prints will become family heirlooms to keep around for years to come.

The Types of Canvas Prints We Offer

Small Format Canvas Prints

Canvas prints ranging from 8” x 8” to 18” x 24” are considered small format canvas prints. Made with 100% American materials in North Carolina, our small-sized canvas prints are a top choice for wall and shelf decor. 

Types of Canvas Prints

The 8” x 8” canvas prints are designed to be displayed on shelves or in small areas of walls. The other sizes in the small canvas print collection are perfect for living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and offices. The canvas prints pop without being too large for the space.

Family portraits, pet portraits, vacation photos, home decor, and more all look great when printed on stunning small-format canvas prints. Your photos on canvas will impress your guests and remind you of your favorite moments every day.

Large Format Canvas Prints

With sizes up to 60” x 60”, our large-format canvas print is great for making a bold, design statement. Large format canvas prints are perfect for entryways, large living rooms and bedrooms, lobbies, and art displays.

Types of Canvas Prints

Possessing vibrant colors and in-depth images, our large format canvas prints are crafted with the same American-made materials as our small canvas prints and will bring beauty into your space.

Single Canvas Prints

Single canvas prints are the most common type of canvas print we sell. Being offered in over 1,000 sizes, there is a canvas print for everyone. It is easy to style these simple yet stunning canvas prints with any room. We also offer single canvas prints in a collage style if you have more than one image you’d like to print on a single canvas.

Types of Canvas Prints

Single canvas prints come with a variety of customization options. First, you can choose the canvas depth. The default canvas depth is .75” and you can upgrade to the gallery 1.5” depth. After selecting the canvas depth, you can change the border style from blurred to mirrored, black, white, or grey. We also offer to print your image in full color or black and white. Additionally, we now offer floating frames as an option when choosing to finalize your print.

Each canvas print is shipped and ready to hang with our easy-to-use hanging kit. This means immediately after your print arrives, you can begin redecorating your space. The easy-to-hang design also makes it simple to switch out prints for seasonal themes. Our canvas design tool will recommend the best size for your image, but you can also view all sizes here.

Canvas Displays

Types of Canvas Prints

Our canvas displays consist of two different types of canvas prints: wall displays and triptych wall art. Each style of display is a dynamic presentation of your favorite images. These canvas displays are eye-catching and conversation-worthy.

Wall displays are multi-panel displays featuring three to nine panels. Each canvas displays one image. Wall displays are often themed with family photographs, pet portraits, or vacation photos. These make for great gifts for loved ones. Wall displays are one of our most popular products, and we love getting to tell your story through photographs. 

Meanwhile, triptychs are a three-panel display that divides one image across three canvas prints. This creates a unique interpretation of your image. Each panel is displayed about two inches apart. This ensures the full picture can be seen, while also showing the separation. This separation makes your favorite photos stand out like pieces of art.

The History of Canvas Prints

The use of canvas in art dates back to the 12th century in Asia. During this time, a combination of hemp and flax was used to create the canvas fabric. The fabric was then painted on with oil paints. These early paintings often accompanied poems providing imagery. 

Through trade, canvas was brought to Europe where it grew in popularity during the Renaissance. Photos were first printed onto canvas in the 1840s, however, it wasn’t until the early 2000s that canvas prints became widely available and a popular interior decor trend. 

While the art of canvas printing was developing, so was the material. Over time, hemp and flax transitioned to cotton and polyester. Changing to cotton and polyester made the prints absorb more color and last longer. The material also helped to bring prices down, making canvas prints even more affordable to the public. 

While many companies use canvas that is high in polyester content, cotton is the better material. Cotton canvas prints absorb colors better than polyester. Cotton canvas prints are also more durable than polyester canvas prints, although a small amount of polyester in the canvas helps during the stretching process. 

Additional options such as UV canvas are available. UV canvas has been treated to help protect the photographs against UV light rays. Over time, direct sunlight exposure can cause a photo on canvas to fade. By using UV canvas, the longevity of a canvas print is increased.

Printing Methods

Canvas prints are printed with solvent or aqueous inks. While aqueous inks are less expensive, they are duller and do not last as long. Solvent inks are the preferred choice of ink for printing photos on canvas. The solvent inks are absorbed by the custom cotton canvas blend which results in a long-lasting and colorful print. The ink absorbs into the fibers of the cotton canvas blend rather than only sitting on the top of the canvas. 

The drying process used for aqueous inks causes up to 40% of the ink to be lost. This causes canvas prints made with aqueous inks to lose color and provide an image of lesser quality. This is one of the main reasons behind using solvent inks. These inks are also VOC (volatile organic compound) free and help to decrease emissions in our production facility. 

Types of Canvas Prints

Solvent inks combined with custom cotton blended canvas results in a beautiful and durable final canvas print. These prints will last for years into the future, offering a great trip down memory lane. The ability to cherish your favorite moments with a photo on canvas is like no other.

How Are Our Canvas Prints Constructed? 

Canvas prints are printed with solvent or aqueous inks. While aqueous inks are less expensive, they are duller and do not last as long. Solvent inks are the preferred choice of ink for printing photos on canvas. The solvent inks are absorbed by the custom cotton canvas blend which results in a long-lasting and colorful print. The ink goes between the fibers of the cotton canvas blend rather than only sitting on the top of the canvas. 

Types of Canvas Prints

The drying process used for aqueous inks causes up to 40% of the ink to be lost. This causes canvas prints printed with aqueous inks to lose color and provide an image of lesser quality. This is one of the main reasons behind using solvent inks. These inks are also VOC free and help to decrease emissions in our production facility. 

Solvent inks combined with custom cotton blended canvas results in a beautiful and durable final canvas print. These prints will last for years into the future, offering a great trip down memory lane. The ability to cherish your favorite moments with a photo on canvas is like no other. Each canvas is made with these high-quality materials in our North Carolina headquarters. 

Ink

Two main types of ink are used in canvas printing. There are solvent inks and aqueous inks. Solvent inks are the desired ink for leading canvas print brands due to their more depth of color which in turn allows the various hues of your image to be fully captured during the printing process. Another reason for using solvent inks is that cotton canvas absorbs the ink very well. 

Additionally, our solvent inks are water-resistant. This helps to protect your canvas print and makes for easy cleaning. If your canvas print is exposed to dirt, simply use a damp cloth to gently wipe off the dirt. The water-resistant aspect makes our canvas prints a top choice for restaurants or children’s bedrooms where the art may get dirty easier than in other places. 

Types of Canvas Prints

With aqueous ink, a large amount of ink is lost during the printing process. The cotton fibers of the custom canvas blend trap the solvent ink particles, resulting in an image that is woven into multiple layers of the canvas that can appear distorted.

Fabric

Two main types of fabric are used in canvas printing. They are cotton and polyester. These two fabrics are often blended to create the best canvas. The best canvas blends have more cotton than polyester. When looking at the fabric there are a few different points to consider.

Types of Canvas Prints

The first is cost. Polyester is a cheaper material than cotton. You should be able to find a cotton canvas blend for just slightly more than polyester. The second point to consider is the way in which each material absorbs the ink. Cotton canvas allows the ink to go deeper than the surface and blend with the cotton fibers. Polyester only lets the ink sit on the top layer of the canvas, resulting in colors that fade more quickly than a custom cotton blended canvas. 

Our custom cotton blended canvas is woven in Austin, Texas using high-quality 100% American-made canvas that helps to preserve the integrity of the photo. This blend has high in-class color density, making sure every pixel of your image is saturated with bold and true colors. When this top-tier canvas is combined with solvent inks made in Kentucky, the canvas print will truly pop. This is why our canvas prints are museum-quality. The custom canvas blend and inks create a stunning image. 

After your image is printed onto the custom cotton blended canvas it is stretched across a handmade wooden frame. Having just the right amount of tension ensures two things. The first benefit of having perfect tension ensures there will be no pressure cracks in the ink. The second reason is to make sure there are no dips in the final canvas. 

When choosing a company to print your favorite photos onto canvas you will want to ensure that they use a cotton blend rather than a polyester blend. Printing your photos on a cotton canvas will make sure to represent them in their best light and bring joy back to your favorite memories.

Wooden Frame & Stretcher Bars

Our frames are made of kiln-cured pine for maximum durability. Our kiln-cured pine is Forest Service Certified, ensuring that the best practices of wood harvesting are being used. The kiln curing process helps to make the wooden frame more durable and protects it against the elements. This means our canvas prints are adaptable and can be hung in a variety of environments. 

Types of Canvas Prints

Since we have over 1,000 custom sizes, we make each frame to order to minimize waste. After your image is printed on the custom cotton canvas blend, a custom frame is handmade with pine sourced from the United States. The frame is reinforced and sent to the stretching department. 

In our stretching department, an advanced automated stretching machine is used to perfectly stretch the canvas across the frame. The technician then folds and staples the canvas to the frame. After the canvas is stretched and stapled to the frame, it is then packaged for shipping.

The canvas is first wrapped with shrink wrap to protect the image from dust and scratches. Next, corner protectors are installed to protect the frame. The canvas is then fit to a box and packaged securely. In no time, the canvas print will be at your front door and ready to hang.

Printer

CanvasPrints uses new, state-of-the-art Eco-Solvent Inks on our array of Epson S60600L 60" Production Presses along with PrintFactory custom color calibration system to give life-like balances to your photos and illustrations. Eco-Solvent inks are one of the most environmentally friendly inks in production today. With two 4 color printheads, we are able to reach 98% of the visible color gamut, meaning incredible color reproduction.

 

Uses Of Canvas

Home Decor
Office/Business Decor
Gifts

Canvas prints are amazing pieces of home decor. They are perfect for foyers, living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms, bedrooms, and guest rooms. They bring unique personal decorations to each room while still being affordable. 

Our canvas prints are a top choice among offices and businesses of all types. Using canvas prints to decorate your space creates a unique and inviting atmosphere in your space. We also offer wholesale prices on larger orders.

Canvas prints are the perfect personalized gift. The prices make them easy to buy, and the great designs make them easy to love! Your family and friends will love their canvas print gifts for years to come.


Galleries and Museums

Our custom canvas prints are museum-quality. This means they are of the same quality as canvases that you will find hanging in museums and galleries. The crisp image quality and descriptive colors make our canvas prints a top choice for those looking to display art and photography with superior quality. 

How To Check The Quality Of Canvas Prints

If you are printing your treasured memories onto canvas, you will want them to come out perfect. By checking if the company you use follows the best practices of canvas printing, you will be guaranteed to receive a museum-quality canvas print.

Type of Canvas

A custom cotton canvas blend is the best choice for canvas printing as opposed to a polyester canvas. You will want to seek out this type of canvas, as the image quality and colors are better. Our canvases are 100% American-made. 

Thickness

The two main canvas depths are .75” and 1.5”. The .75” is the standard canvas thickness and the 1.5” deluxe canvas depth is inspired by gallery and museum prints. The canvas depth alters the appearance as well as the durability.

Framing Structure

The frame that the canvas is stretched on is a crucial part of the canvas print. Typically, frames are made of pine. Our pine frames are kiln-cured to increase the strength of the frame while also giving a unique look to your photo canvas print. 

Now that you know the importance of using a trusted company, simply upload your photo and let us do the rest of the work. Our intuitive canvas design tool will recommend the best-sized canvas for your photo. This makes sure your print comes out with pixel-perfect imagery. 

You can select additional options like border style or a finishing floating frame. This makes the canvas uniquely yours. Every time you walk into your living room and see your canvas print you will be reminded of the great memories. 

Protecting Your Canvas Print

Once you receive your canvas print, you will want to make sure you take care of it. A well-kept canvas print can last for decades. Here are a few tips to care for your print:

  • Hang or stand upright and do not put anything on top of your print. 
  • Do not hang outside or in direct sunlight.
  • If you want to go a step further, you can even varnish your canvas print to protect it from water, sunlight, and even air quality.
  • Be careful when hanging your canvas print in places such as the bathroom where humidity and moisture can affect the wood frame.

Conclusion

Hopefully, we’ve provided you with enough information about what separates CanvasPrints from the competition. Whether it's our use of 100% America-made wood frames, our superior cotton-blend canvas which is also 100% American-made, or our use of eco-friendly materials that truly capture the rich detail of your photos and images, you’ll find that CanvasPrints offers the best quality canvas prints for the best price. Not only that, but we also have 1,000s of different sizes and layouts like triptychs that can truly elevate your living space (or any room really) from drab to fab.