Canvas prints

I read a few comments in the archives about canvas prints. I had never
heard of this. I see that there are quite a few online vendors, but I
kinda wanted to see what it looks like before ordering one.

I saw that Kinkos offers canvas prints, so I stopped by the local
store. They had a demo set up. It was about 16 x 20. I'm not sure what
I was expecting, but it wasn't something I'd spend $80 for.

Does anyone know how the quality of what Kinkos produces compares with
other places? The idea intrigues me, but I'd like to get something of
quality.

Any suggestions for places that do good work?

Also, I want something much smaller -- 8 x 10 or even 5 x 8. Is canvas
printing something that really only works in much larger sizes? The
ads for many of the online sites indicate it is used for showing in
galleries.

I would appreciate any insight or suggestions.

Square Peg wrote:
I read a few comments in the archives about canvas prints. I had never
heard of this. I see that there are quite a few online vendors, but I
kinda wanted to see what it looks like before ordering one.

I saw that Kinkos offers canvas prints, so I stopped by the local
store. They had a demo set up. It was about 16 x 20. I'm not sure what
I was expecting, but it wasn't something I'd spend $80 for.

Does anyone know how the quality of what Kinkos produces compares with
other places? The idea intrigues me, but I'd like to get something of
quality.

Any suggestions for places that do good work?

Also, I want something much smaller -- 8 x 10 or even 5 x 8. Is canvas
printing something that really only works in much larger sizes? The
ads for many of the online sites indicate it is used for showing in
galleries.

I would appreciate any insight or suggestions.

The texture of canvas excludes any goal of clarity in small prints. I
think you have to stand back far enough that the canvas itself can't be
seen before you can appreciate the prints.

My personal opinion is that a canvas print of a photo is something of an
oxymoron. If they were made to look more like a sketch or a painting,
I'd be more receptive to them. I believe Costco sell imitation canvas
inkjet 'paper' if you want to try some for yourself.

On Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:08:07 +1000, Jurgen
wrote:

Square Peg wrote:
I read a few comments in the archives about canvas prints. I had never
heard of this. I see that there are quite a few online vendors, but I
kinda wanted to see what it looks like before ordering one.

I saw that Kinkos offers canvas prints, so I stopped by the local
store. They had a demo set up. It was about 16 x 20. I'm not sure what
I was expecting, but it wasn't something I'd spend $80 for.

Does anyone know how the quality of what Kinkos produces compares with
other places? The idea intrigues me, but I'd like to get something of
quality.

Any suggestions for places that do good work?

Also, I want something much smaller -- 8 x 10 or even 5 x 8. Is canvas
printing something that really only works in much larger sizes? The
ads for many of the online sites indicate it is used for showing in
galleries.

I would appreciate any insight or suggestions.

The texture of canvas excludes any goal of clarity in small prints. I
think you have to stand back far enough that the canvas itself can't be
seen before you can appreciate the prints.

Good point. I think that's what struck me, but I wasn't able to
articulate it.

My personal opinion is that a canvas print of a photo is something of an
oxymoron. If they were made to look more like a sketch or a painting,
I'd be more receptive to them. I believe Costco sell imitation canvas
inkjet 'paper' if you want to try some for yourself.

Suddenly, without warning, Jurgen exclaimed (12/17/2008 8:08 PM):
Square Peg wrote:
I read a few comments in the archives about canvas prints. I had never
heard of this. I see that there are quite a few online vendors, but I
kinda wanted to see what it looks like before ordering one.

I saw that Kinkos offers canvas prints, so I stopped by the local
store. They had a demo set up. It was about 16 x 20. I'm not sure what
I was expecting, but it wasn't something I'd spend $80 for.

Does anyone know how the quality of what Kinkos produces compares with
other places? The idea intrigues me, but I'd like to get something of
quality.

Any suggestions for places that do good work?

Also, I want something much smaller -- 8 x 10 or even 5 x 8. Is canvas
printing something that really only works in much larger sizes? The
ads for many of the online sites indicate it is used for showing in
galleries.

I would appreciate any insight or suggestions.

The texture of canvas excludes any goal of clarity in small prints. I
think you have to stand back far enough that the canvas itself can't be
seen before you can appreciate the prints.


I think to some extent that depends on the print. I'd say that was
absolutely true below 8x10, but I have a couple of 8x10 canvas prints I
picked up at a craft show (and saw tons more) that are very nice.

There were some there better measured in feet than inches and some of
those were spectacular.

jmc

Square Peg wrote:
I read a few comments in the archives about canvas prints. I had never
heard of this. I see that there are quite a few online vendors, but I
kinda wanted to see what it looks like before ordering one.

I saw that Kinkos offers canvas prints, so I stopped by the local
store. They had a demo set up. It was about 16 x 20. I'm not sure what
I was expecting, but it wasn't something I'd spend $80 for.

Does anyone know how the quality of what Kinkos produces compares with
other places? The idea intrigues me, but I'd like to get something of
quality.

Any suggestions for places that do good work?

Also, I want something much smaller -- 8 x 10 or even 5 x 8. Is canvas
printing something that really only works in much larger sizes? The
ads for many of the online sites indicate it is used for showing in
galleries.

I would appreciate any insight or suggestions.

You can buy sheets of 8x10 canvas with paper backing for
printing in most computer printers. The quality of the
print will be about what you get at Kinko, if they use
ink-jet printers. But it won't have the texture of an oil
painting.

I've had good results printing photos on water-color paper.