I think you might have misunderstood my statement or intent, perhaps because it was poorly written.
What I meant regarding profitability was directed at applying varnish to finished prints, not the actual production of prints themselves, canvas or paper. Yes you can, and I have, made decent income making prints just not the aspect of applying varnish to prints. FWIW, I have never been able to do a half dozen or so prints in the 2x3 foot size in 15 minutes or less, so I have to assume you have some heck of a facility to accomplish this. Certainly better than mine. Regardless even if you can spray the prints this quick there is more to the story whether using an HVLP spray gun, rolling or what ever method is chosen. There is significant time in cleanup, preparation, the cost of maintaining a space to do this and the list goes on. While I have made good profit from producing prints its highly unlikely I paid myself $5 per hour to varnish when everything is taken into consideration.
As for the other aspects of stretching, framing et al this is not a business model that holds any interest for me even if I had the space or equipment, but it appears you do and like it. Thats great. From my perspective artist have been stretching canvas prints, varnishing originals and doing what ever is necessary to prepare their work for the market. Adding a few more prints to be varnished should be small potatoes for them. Clearly they all don't think this way and many artist have chosen to go the route of online ordering where everything (printing, varnishing, stretching, framing perhaps and shipping) is taken care of in one fell swoop as you pointed out in another thread on this forum. Things change and thats fine too. I'm just not going there at this point in my life, but will continue to make high quality prints for whomever needs it.
Hope this helps.
Something not right if you are not making money doing canvas as it is very profitable. First having the right
Equipment is paramount to getting your product out the door profitably. Number one buying all your materials at the right price, stretcher bars included. We get a local amish millwork shop to run the 3 sizes we sell. Secondly I have a dual mitresaw and underpinner to cut and staple the corners. Takes about 7 minutes from stick to assembled frame. Next if you want to make money at this spraying beats rolling hands down from a time standpoint. In 15 minutes I can spray a half dozen 24x36 canvases. Finally a stretcher machine of some sort is the biggest time saver of them all. Really a must if you do much canvas. You may not have the room for all this but if you do the return rate can be in excess of $75.00 per hour on med and large canvases. I Stopped selling under 12x18 as small sizes take as long to make as medium size. Another option we use is drytac vinyl over laminate applied with our Knight large heat press. Super strong, quick and inexpensive.
We print on matte canvas and control the final sheen with matte, satin or gloss spray or vinyl laminate.
Gloss canvas can be over double the cost Of matte and still should be coated, in my opinion.
