Getting started with canvas?

[Ryan Mack]

I've never printed on canvas and I'd like to give it a try (17x25 or smaller). What would you recommend for canvas, stretchers, tools, and tutorials? I have a slight brand affinity for Hahnemuhle papers and I'm printing on a Canon PRO-4000.

[mcrepsej]

I have printed on canvas for more than 11 years and tried some different canvas. The last year I have been very pleased with Canson PhotoArt ProCanvas mat 395 gr/m². It is water resistant, OBA free and has a very robust surface of a mat canvas.
There is also a Canson Museum ProCanvas WR Matte 100% Cotton 385 gr/m² but I think it is too fine woven.
Both canvases are significantly better than Hahnemühle in my opinion.

[Ryan Mack]

Awesome. Thank you for the recommendation. I ordered a 17" roll of the Canson PhotoArt ProCanvas Matte. Happy to see color profiles available already too. Do you have any advice or references for someone stretching canvas for the first time?

[John Nollendorfs]

For a beginner, at that size expecially, I would recommend you try mounting on either gatorboard, or masonite, using Miracle Muck glue. http://raphaelsap.com/miracle-muck/

Cut the board to the desired framing size, then apply generous even coating of glue on board, apply the slightly oversized print. Move the print around to center on board. Apply even weight on top of print until dry (hour or so). let print cure few hours to overnight. Trim excess canvas off edges.

Then spray or coat print with sealing spray.

[Peter McLennan]

have any advice or references for someone stretching canvas for the first time?

Get some good canvas stretching pliers. You can spend $150 elsewhere if you like, but they're not much better than these.

https://www.amazon.com/MyLifeUNIT-Professional-Canvas-Pliers-Stretching/dp/B01DXXOA3I/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1510017628&sr=8-3&keywords=canvas+stretching+pliers

Also an air or electric staple gun.  You'll use lots of staples. Stretching is easy.  Corners take practice.  YouTube is your friend.

I make my own stretchers from 1X2 wood strips. A chop saw makes the mitre joints easy.  Drywall screws attach the pieces without glue. Once the canvas is stretched the whole assembly becomes aircraft wing strong.

Coatings are mostly PVA glue.  I've had good results using regular Home Depot PVA glue diluted 2:1 and applied with a foam roller. Way cheaper and easier than a spray application. 

For controlled conditions and for your own use (rather than for sale) coatings are voluntary IMHO. I have several uncoated large canvas prints on my walls in (sometimes) direct sunlight that have been there for ten years. Zero fading or colour changes that I can see.  Epson K3 inks on Lexjet Sunset Matte canvas. Coating prevents damage, but other than the cats, there are few print hazards in my home.

Walk before you run.  Start simple, adapt as necessary.

[na goodman]

Get some good canvas stretching pliers. You can spend $150 elsewhere if you like, but they're not much better than these.

https://www.amazon.com/MyLifeUNIT-Professional-Canvas-Pliers-Stretching/dp/B01DXXOA3I/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1510017628&sr=8-3&keywords=canvas+stretching+pliers

Also an air or electric staple gun.  You'll use lots of staples. Stretching is easy.  Corners take practice.  YouTube is your friend.

I make my own stretchers from 1X2 wood strips. A chop saw makes the mitre joints easy.  Drywall screws attach the pieces without glue. Once the canvas is stretched the whole assembly becomes aircraft wing strong.

Coatings are mostly PVA glue.  I've had good results using regular Home Depot PVA glue diluted 2:1 and applied with a foam roller. Way cheaper and easier than a spray application. 

For controlled conditions and for your own use (rather than for sale) coatings are voluntary IMHO. I have several uncoated large canvas prints on my walls in (sometimes) direct sunlight that have been there for ten years. Zero fading or colour changes that I can see.  Epson K3 inks on Lexjet Sunset Matte canvas. Coating prevents damage, but other than the cats, there are few print hazards in my home.

Walk before you run.  Start simple, adapt as necessary.

When you say 2:1 is it two parts PVA to 1 part water? Interesting, I know someone that would be interested in this combination

[enduser]

If you use stretchers to mount the canvas we bought the ones that included four pegs which can be driven in at the corners if any sagging happens. You couldn't tell they were there once mounting was done but just a little tap to increase tension was very useful.

We used on1 Perfect Resize as having the widest number of options for generating wrap edges. Totally agree you need electric or air stapler gun. Bosch make a neat rechargeable one so no electric cords in the way.

[mearussi]

I use the Canson Museum Pro Luster because it has a very smooth surface so it doesn't interfere with print detail and also being 100% cotton makes it very easy to stretch (poly/cotton blends are much stiffer).  I use the luster surface instead of the matte because it has higher dmax and color saturation.

I then spray it with a protective overcoat. Moab, Hahnemuhle and Premier Art's Print Shield will all work, but after testing all three I prefer the Print Shield: https://www.itsupplies.com/Premier-Imaging/PremierArt-Print-Shield-Lacquer-based-spray-1-Can-PA1950

And since you've never stretched a canvas before I would suggest you start off with a stretcher bar kit: https://www.itsupplies.com/StretchIT/StretchIT-Gallerie-Wrap-Pro-Bars

Breathing Color and a few others also carry these kits, but they're all from the same Canadian manufacturer Go Frame: https://www.goframe.com/ (I buy directly from Go Frame now).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv35wexvruI&list=PL4TwTEPWSmle5_5ep-EfptTkG6r7sMpEu&index=7

They are very easy and fast to use and come out perfect every time. They come in two thicknesses 1.25" and 1.75" but the smaller size is too flimsy for my taste.

Any staple gun will work initially, but if you decide to do a lot an electric gun is much easier on your hand. I use this one: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Arrow-Fastener-Cordless-Electric-Staple-Gun-T50DCD/300126668

I also just use standard eye hooks and coated wire to hang them.

[na goodman]

Peter, When you say 2:1 is it two parts PVA to 1 part water? Interesting, I know someone that would be interested in this combination

[DougDolde]

I hope you don't take all these comments as the gospel. Many are inaccurate and misleading

[Ryan Mack]

OK, giving the cheap pliers and the 12x18" stretcher starer kit a try along with the 17" spool of Canon Infinity PhotoArt Pro Canvas Roll Matte. Not going to mess with coatings yet. Also ordered the Miracle Muck starter kit and can give that and some gatorboard a try if I get frustrated. Going to try using my normal spring-powered staple gun for now... doesn't hurt to improve my grip strengths. Thanks all for the advice, I'll let you know how it goes.

[Peter McLennan]

Peter, When you say 2:1 is it two parts PVA to 1 part water? Interesting, I know someone that would be interested in this combination

Yes, 2 parts glue one part water. 4:1 is too thin.

[Peter McLennan]

I hope you don't take all these comments as the gospel. Many are inaccurate and misleading

More specificity might be helpful.

[na goodman]

 Thanks Peter, I just ignored that other post.

[enduser]

Not clear what is inaccurate and misleading.

[Ryan Mack]

Thanks you everyone. My first attempt with the StretchIT/Simply Elegant Gallery Wrap kit worked perfectly!

[Peter McLennan]

Attaboy!  Your first successful canvas is a milestone.