Cheap Photo on Canvas Prints. A Buyer's Checklist

Every single day thousands of people use the internet to hunt for photo on canvas prints. They type words which describe what they are looking for into search engines like Google, Yahoo, Bing as well as many others. There are all kinds of motivations. Most of these reasons can be split into one of two categories; People seeking to transfer family photos or pictures onto canvas or people in search of a photo on canvas to be presented as a unique gift. Whatever the reason for the search, many are shopping around for the same thing. They simply want a attractive looking, top quality canvas print that will last and won't break the bank.

One will encounter, of course, both positive and bad experiences when buying photo on canvas prints. This is because, as with most other products sold today, the market place is being flooded by "no frills" sellers selling inferior quality products.

The best way to avoid having a negative experience is to arm yourself with a little information first. The most useful thing to remember is that not all canvases are identical. The finish of the print will vary significantly from company to company and with the current economic climate, an increasing amount of low cost, sub-standard print sellers are emerging, so beware! This is making it increasingly more challenging for amateur photographers (and even professional photographers like myself) to know who to rely on when planning to purchase a photo on canvas print.

So how do you find out whether or not the specialist you choose will do a good job?

From my experience, following the below tips should help you find a reliable vendor who will provide you with a fabulous looking print that will last for many years.

1. First, look at the firms website for signs of quality.

Does it look professionally made?
Do they have thier contact details shown?
Do they have customer reviews on their website?

These are often key factors in ascertaining whether a business is professional, reliable and trustworthy.

2. Check which equipment and methods will be used to make your canvas print. When looking for evidence of good quality materials and workmanship, it will be useful for you to understand a few specifics about canvas prints. Underneath are a few things for you to look out for.

Frame quality: Beware of companies who use solid wood frames which are made in-house. A solid wood frame does not enable the canvas to be tightened again over time and the canvas will sag and lose its shape. Always opt for a 4-piece pine frame. These 4-piece frames should come with wooden wedges that are inserted into the inner edges of the frame to allow you to stretch the print as often as needed over time. It is very important to take into consideration when buying a print, that the kind of wood used and the structure of the frame is vital to its durability.

Canvas material: Always look for a print that is made using 100% cotton canvas. This both enhances the look of your canvas and stops discolouring. This kind of material also gives the print a more attractive matte finish.

Archival Inks: What are archival inks? Archival inks are inks that are fade resistant for up to 75 years. Many printers compromise quality by using other low cost kinds of ink. Always be sure that the supplier that you choose uses archival inks. The highest quality range of archival ink based, large format printers available in the market at this time would have to be the Epson Ultrachrome 7880/9880 range. If these printers are being used, you are guaranteed fantastic image quality.

Lacquering: A Lacquer coating should be applied to both prevent splitting and cracking on the edges of your canvas (where the canvas meets the wood) and also to make it possible for you to easily keep your canvas clean by gently wiping it with a damp cloth. This coating also safeguards the artwork from U.V fading as well as preventing scuffs and scratches.

Lacquering increases both the quality of the finish and the durability of the canvas. Always ensure that such a coating will be applied to your print.

If you are considering shopping for a photo on canvas print, keep in mind the points made in this guide to ensure that you receive a beautiful, durable canvas print that will last for many years to come.

One company worth mentioning when discussing Cheap photo on canvas transfers and Photo on canvas prints in general is Canvasking. They specialize in taking photographs, editing them and transferring them to canvas. The lowest priced, highest quality service I have come across to date. Please click the links above for more details.