Canvas
Canvas is a heavy fabric material which is used for a wide variety of purposes. Cotton and polyester canvas is very popular for digital, inkjet, solvent and eco solvent printing. At SimpleCanvas.com we use the highest quality 350gsm cotton canvas available, acid free and bluewall tested to level 7, meaning that combined with our HP UV inks we can guarantee your canvas print will last for many years in normal lighting conditions. The thickness or weight of the canvas material is measured in gsm (gram per square meter). Ideally the weight of the canvas material should be between 300gsm and 400gsm; this will offer suitable strength and avoid shrinking or expanding after being stretched on the frame.
If you are a digital artist/photographer or even if you just want to take advantage of this new technology to convert a favourite photo to canvas, our 100% cotton canvas ensures a long term method of keeping and displaying your art, photography or precious memories. It also can provide you with a host of wonderful gift ideas.
The history of creating art on canvas material dates back many centuries. One of the earliest surviving oil paintings on canvas material is a French painting ‘Madonna with Angels’ from around 1410. Early canvas was made of linen which was a sturdy brownish fabric of considerable strength. Linen was particularly suitable for the use of oil paint. In the early 20th century cotton canvas came into use. Cotton canvas was often referred to as ‘cotton duck’. Cotton duck canvas stretched more fully and had a mechanical weave in its texture.
In more modern times canvas has become associated with inkjet print processes often referred to as Giclée. This form of fine art print, the term meaning “fine spray” in French, refers to a digital reproduction using state of the art inkjet technology. However, not every digital print is a Giclée. Only digital prints that are created on special high resolution printers utilising specially formulated inks and media under strict printing standards can carry this name. The media is carried by a spinning roller while infinitely small pixels of rich, vibrant inks are sprayed on the material at a very high speed. This renders an amazingly smooth and consistent image true to the original painting or photograph, giving a superb quality fine art reproduction.
Modern digital canvas material is generally cotton or some websites also provide a cheaper plastic-based polyester material. Inkjet canvas printing material can come in varying styles, textures, thickness and weight. Digital inkjet canvas prints are normally available in matt, satin or gloss finishes. The style and finish of the canvas material is down to personal taste or creative influence but the coated satin and gloss material will offer an enhanced colour, contrast and brightness in the reproduction.
Like any quality piece of art or home decoration, the finish of the product will make all the difference when it hangs on your wall. Once the image or photo has been printed onto the canvas, the material will then be required to be stretched over stretcher bars. There are many styles of stretcher bars available on the market but try and aim for pine bars which are hinged. Modern stretcher bars should not require glue for assembly but incorporate mortise, tenon joints and wedge keys, allowing the stretcher bar to be adjustable. This allows the frames to expand after the canvas print has been mounted which means that 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 of our canvas printing process is the application of two coats of lacquer. This is applied with a spray gun and compressor to ensure an even coverage and finish. The canvas print will have a typical authentic look with a slight 'glisten' which also increases the quality and the durability of the print. It also protects the print from fading, scuffing, and scratches.