Photos to Canvas - Frequently Asked Questions

As photos to canvas suppliers to a number of professional photographers, we offer the highest quality photo on canvas service available.

Premium or Standard - Which type of photo to canvas should I choose?

Here are the facts:

Premium – Dye Sublimation
This heat pressing printing process prints onto real material canvas, with the UV resistant ink penetrating deep into the canvas. This results in canvases that are extremely robust (you can do the washing up with these) but that have a softer, warmer tonal quality about them that is unique.
This tonal quality takes them away from being just enlarged photos and is why we love them. This is the type of canvas to choose if you’re thinking about having them in a commercial space, or somewhere like a bathroom or kitchen.

Standard – Glicee
The Giclee prints are printed using large format digital printers. This printing method (also using UV resistant inks) offers a very true facsimile of an image, and is often used by museums when they want to get as close a reproduction of a painting as possible. For this reason these canvases have a sharper quality about them that is more photographic in appearance.
With this process the ink sits on top of the canvas and although it is sealed, is not quite as robust as the Dye Sub process. You should avoid getting giclee prints wet.

Both are extremely high quality products. The basic difference is in the tone of the pictures . It’s a tricky thing to express in a way that adequately describes the difference, but for what it’s worth, people here prefer the Dye Sub prints.

General Questions

Sizing and your images

How big can the canvases be?
As all our photo to canvas are bespoke you can have any size you want, allowing you to fit canvases into particular spaces. The canvas comes in rolls, so we are limited with the standard canvases to 1.1m along one side and 1.3m along one side with the premium canvases. The other dimension is theoretically unlimited - although they do have to fit on a vehicle to be delivered! But if, for example, you want it 58cm x 233cm no problem.

How deep are the stretcher bars?
The standard canvases are on stretcher bars with a depth of 4.5cm. The premium canvases on stretcher bars of 3.4cm deep. We only use the highest quality kiln dried pine for our stretcher bars. For larger canvases we will also add in a crossbar for added strength.

Do you wrap the image around the sides of the frame?
Our standard practice is not to do this, but to leave blank canvas on the sides of the frame (see the photo above). The reason is, that we feel you loose quite a bit of the image when it is wrapped around the frame and this can effect the balance of the photo. If you do however want the image wrapped around the side (‘Gallery wrapped’) we can of course do this. Just let us know.

What are the standard canvas sizes?
To ensure that the stretcher bars are a perfect fit for the printed canvas, we don’t have standard sizes - every piece we produce is made to measure. This means that we can work with panoramic shots and unusual crops without having to crop them to fit the shape of the frame. If people are offering you standard sizes, this is a good indication that they will be using low-quality pre-made stretchers.

What should I consider when deciding on the size of canvas to go for?
When deciding on the size you want, there are two principal things to take into consideration: the space you want to hang the canvas in and the shape of your photo.
The shape and proportions (what is called ‘aspect ratio’) of your photo will depend on both the sort of camera the photo was taken on - normal or digital - and whether you want the photo cropped to achieve a better image. To see some example sizes, you can check the price guide. Here we give some sizes and prices for canvases appropriate for photos taken on both normal and digital cameras.

Tell me more about cropping
Within any photo can lurk a more powerful image and our job is to find it! We take a look at all photos we receive to see if they could be improved by cropping. If we feel they can, we will email you a proof of our suggested crop for your approval. If you like it we’ll then let you know how this would effect the proportions and therefore size. Usually the cropped image can be printed at a very similar size to the original size you had in mind.

Will my photo be good enough quality to blow up to the size I want?
The short answer is that we’d have to see it to give you a definite answer. If you’re supplying the image as a print, then it should be OK as we will scan it in at a resolution appropriate for the size you want it printed. If it is a digital image it’s a little more complicated, so the easiest thing is really to send it in and have us check it.
For those who do want to know more about this, we have prepared a guide that you can find under 'about your photos'.

Can you get rid of red eye?
No problem. We do this FREE of charge.

Do you retouch the photos?
All images are carefully cleaned and checked for scratches and marks before printing. If for example someone has a bit of a spot on their face or a baby has a bit of dribble on it’s chin we’ll take that out too – if Kylie can be retouched for magazine covers, why can’t our customers! We also take a look at the contrast and colour balance to make sure that the printed image is as good as it can be. This is all done FREE of charge.

How do you get the colours right?
We spend a great deal of time and money calibrating our printing machinery to ensure we get the truest possible reproduction of your images. This is of particular importance for the professional photographers and interior designers who we work with. Should printed proofs be required, we can provide these.

Can you change a photo from colour to black and white?
Again this is done FREE of charge. If you’re interested in seeing your photo in back and white or sepia we’ll send you a proof to decide if this really is the best way forward.

What format can I send my photos to you in?
Prints, negatives or slides can be sent in a hard-backed envelope.
If you are sending us digital images, you can either email them to us, upload your images straight to the site or send them to us on a CD or DVD. Details of how to do this will be emailed to you along with your quote when you’ve filled in the Request a Quote form. For more detailed information check out the about your photos page.

How do I hang the canvas?
The canvases are really quite light, so you can actually hang them very easily on just one or two screws in the wall. Although we do finish them all with eyelets, you may find it easier – as we do at home – to just hang them straight onto the screw.

Caring for your canvases - Premium canvases

How durable are the printed canvases?
Very durable indeed. We print using specialist UV resistant inks and due to the Dye Sublimation printing process, the inks penetrate deep into the canvas rather than sitting on top of it. To test the durability we’ve poured boiling water onto the canvases and even put them through a number of cycles in the washing machine – all with no discernable colour change to the naked eye.

Are the canvases sealed?
No. Because of the printing process, you can't rub the colour off, so there’s no need to put a plasticised coating over the top. With a lovely matt finish and subtle grain, the canvas is actually proper fabric material, so has avery different look and feel to the Giclee prints.

How can I clean the canvas?
Should it get dusty, the best way to clean the canvas is with an appropriate vacuum attachment such as a curtain nozzle or a lint roller. You can also wipe them with a damp cloth with mild soapy water if they get marked. Avoid getting the frame soaking wet as it may warp. Do not use solvents.

Can I put it in a bathroom?
Under normal bathroom conditions the canvases should not be affected. You should avoid getting water on the wooden frame and although a small splash won't hurt, it’s best to try and keep it dry. If the bathroom is particularly steamy – or a swimming pool room for example - there is a slight danger that this could lead to warping of the frame. If you do intend to hang the canvas in this sort of environment, then we can use a synthetic stretcher bar to ensure that no warping takes place - there is a slight premium for this so when you request a quote, just let us know.

Can they go outside?
If you want to use your photo on canvas outside, we will use synthetic stretcher bars to ensure that no warping takes place - there is a slight premium for this so when you request a quote, just let us know. Outdoor canvases are becoming very popular with garden designers who want to add a new dimension to the concept of the outdoor room. The right image in the right spot can look amazing.

Caring for your canvases – Standard canvases

How durable are the printed canvases?
Our standard canvases are printed using specialist UV resistant inks guaranteed not to fade. As with normal artwork they should be treated with respect and you should avoid rubbing them hard or scratching them!

Are the canvases sealed?
Yes. The canvases have a lovely matt finish, so you don’t get any reflection from the surface.

How can I clean the canvas?
Should it get dusty, the best way to clean the canvas is with a soft duster. Do not use solvents or damp cloths on the canvas.

Can I put it in a bathroom?
If you want to put a canvas in the bathroom you should really order one of our Premium canvases.

Can they go outside?
No! Again if you want to put a canvas outside you should order one of the Premium canvases.

Delivery

How long do the photos on canvas take to make and deliver?
About 10-14 days from confirmation of your order.

How much is delivery?
Delivery is via TNT or Parcelforce and is £10 within the UK and we will quote for delivery abroad on an individual basis. International deliveries are via DHL, TNT or Parcelforce, whoever represents the best value for that destination.

How do you make sure my photo on canvas arrives safely?
To ensure your canvas reaches you in perfect condition, we take great care in packing it up. First the picture is covered in bubble wrap, before two sheets of MDF are then placed either side to prevent any puncture damage. The whole thing is then poly wrapped, packed in a cardboard box and firmly secured. See the photos below to see this process in action. This picture was actually being sent to Hong Kong.

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