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Author Topic: Looking for someone to stretch my canvas prints  (Read 1787 times)

Mark Lindquist

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Looking for someone to stretch my canvas prints
« on: April 13, 2013, 10:16:54 pm »

The prints I make are odd sizes, (fairly large - 30x40, 40 x 60 range)) not typical size stretcher bars and result in fractions of an inch, also.  (Long story).  

Wondering if anyone knows anyone or a company that will stretch my prints?  I would send them a rolled up print in a tube, and would like to get the stretched print back.  These need to be custom stretched with precision.  In many cases, finish application would be required.

The reason I want to print the print, is because I would use my own printer and canvas, and want to be able to be sure of quality of the print, to my exact specifications.  (Not that there aren't better printers out there than me, it's just that I have a particular look I'm after and often experiment with getting it, and need to approve the final print, looking at the whole thing.  Additionally, I change each print subtly in each printing).

This is picky work that I don't want to do myself, and need someone who is meticulous in their stretching and finishing work.

If you are someone who can do the work or know someone who can do the work, please let me know.  I'm in North Florida, but the work can be sent anywhere in the country, of course.  Unfortunately, Canada is not an option - shipping would be too costly.

Thanks -

-Mark

PS - Please reads the comments below to Dan, before jumping to conclusions and recommending I do it myself or go local.  I'm asking for some help from this community, and hope there is someone I can find who wants the work.  (As they say, "good work if you can get it", LOL)
« Last Edit: April 14, 2013, 11:36:04 am by Mark Lindquist »
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Mark Lindquist
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bill t.

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Re: Looking for someone to stretch my canvas prints
« Reply #1 on: April 14, 2013, 02:24:37 am »

Take it to a local framer.  Some percentage of them are willing to stretch canvases.  You'd be into oversize shipping charges for the 40 x 60's, and packaging for large art is a total PITA unless you are willing to take some chances.

It's probably easier to stretch a canvas yourself than deal with the packaging and shipping.  It's really not that hard.  There are some pretty good canvas pliers and affordable staplers out there and plenty of guys here and videos on YouTube to tell you how to use them.  Takes just a little practice.  Third one's the charm.  Or maybe that's 20th one's the charm.  But practice will make just about anybody perfect, and that's what reject canvases are for.
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dgberg

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Re: Looking for someone to stretch my canvas prints
« Reply #2 on: April 14, 2013, 07:37:58 am »

I do this type of work but also agree with Bill.
Take it to someone local.
Packaging and shipping will get you.
Starting at $100.00 apiece and up for those sizes.
Use that shipping money towards the project,just makes sense.

Mark Lindquist

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Re: Looking for someone to stretch my canvas prints
« Reply #3 on: April 14, 2013, 11:23:40 am »

Hi Bill,
Thanks for your response.  So Bill, I understand fully what you are saying.  I've been stretching canvas for paintings for over 40 years and have done it with my photos as well.  I'm 64 and after a long career as an artist I have arthritis , etc., and just can't effectively do it myself anymore without a lot of pain.  Additionally, I have taken the prints to local framers and they did an OK job, but in the end I wasn't all that happy because they completely buzzed through them and didn't get that I wanted a really great job.  What I got was an "OK" job, acceptable, but typical average mediocre.

As for shipping, I'm not that concerned, since I get good money for my work.  Also, I will be shipping the work and having it travel in a good shipping container or adequate box provided bu the framer (stretcher) makes sense to me, because once received, I should be able to inspect, then repack and ship out to my clients.

I'm looking for someone who is interested in doing a great job, really great work and wants to have a great client (me) who can send them work to be done periodically.  Sometimes one off, other times perhaps, a whole show.

Again, I'm not interested in doing it myself anymore and I would rather have someone who is really super good, takes pride in workmanship and wants to establish a good long term working relationship.

Thanks for your response, it gave me the opportunity to express my concerns, etc.

-Mark
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Mark Lindquist
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Mark Lindquist

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Re: Looking for someone to stretch my canvas prints
« Reply #4 on: April 14, 2013, 11:33:50 am »

I do this type of work but also agree with Bill.
Take it to someone local.
Packaging and shipping will get you.
Starting at $100.00 apiece and up for those sizes.
Use that shipping money towards the project,just makes sense.

Hi Dan, sorry to be redundant, but I'm going to re-post what I said to Bill, although I've added some details.  Thanks for your input.  If you have any interest, in doing the work, let me know.  From one "wood guy" to another, I imagine you could handle it, LOL...

-Mark

http://www.marklindquist.com

Thanks for your response.  I understand fully what you are saying.  I've been stretching canvas for paintings for over 40 years and have done it with my photos as well.  I'm 64 and after a long career as an artist (painter, photographer and wood sculptor) I have arthritis,other health issues, etc., and just can't effectively do it myself anymore without a lot of pain.  Additionally, I have taken the prints to local framers and they did an OK job, but in the end I wasn't all that happy because they completely buzzed through them and didn't get that I wanted a really great job, even when I offered to pay more.  What I got was an "OK" job, acceptable, but typical average mediocre.

As for shipping, I'm not that concerned, since I get good money for my work.  Also, I will be shipping the work and having it travel in a good shipping container (perhaps a re-useabe lightweight crate) or adequate box provided buy the framer (stretcher) makes sense to me, because once received, I should be able to inspect, then repack and ship out to my clients.

I'm looking for someone who is interested in doing a great job, really great work and wants to have a great client (me) who can send them work to be done periodically.  Sometimes one off, other times perhaps, a whole show.

Again, I'm not interested in doing it myself anymore and I would rather have someone who is really super good, takes pride in workmanship and wants to establish a good long term working relationship.

Thanks for your response, it gave me the opportunity to express my concerns, etc.

-Mark

http://www.marklindquist.com

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dgberg

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Re: Looking for someone to stretch my canvas prints
« Reply #5 on: April 14, 2013, 01:33:46 pm »

Personal email sent.

bill t.

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Re: Looking for someone to stretch my canvas prints
« Reply #6 on: April 14, 2013, 01:51:33 pm »

Hi Mark, yes I can sympathize with the arthritis issue.  That was among the reasons I chose to start mounting canvases on Gatorfoam, and then framing them.  I sometimes bring in a helper at crunch times, and I'm considering hiring a full time employee to take over the production end of things.  And I know of a few cases where photographers have formal agreements with frame shops which gives them some control over quality issues.
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Mark Lindquist

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Re: Looking for someone to stretch my canvas prints
« Reply #7 on: April 14, 2013, 05:29:33 pm »

Bill -
I have studio assistants but they fly in from California or Minneapolis, etc., when big projects come up.  With the economy the way it is now, it seems to be either feast or famine these days.  Where I live, there aren't that many really skilled folks to do the kind of work I do, so that's not much of an option.  I don't like the idea of breaking in a new guy, and during that process I do too much of the work myself.  I'm looking for someone who has the experience and knows the drill etc.  Thanks again for your thoughts.

-Mark
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Mark Lindquist
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Mark Lindquist

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Re: Looking for someone to stretch my canvas prints
« Reply #8 on: April 14, 2013, 06:01:18 pm »

Personal email sent.

Thanks Dan - got it and have replied. - Mark
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Mark Lindquist
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