Canvas prints are a popular way to turn artwork, photos, and designs into wall art. They have texture and depth, adding character to images.
You can create a canvas print custom-tailored for your home, or use these prints to sell and showcase your art.
This guide covers everything about canvas prints: what they are, different styles, use cases, and the benefits of this printing method.
What Is a Canvas Print?
Simply put, a canvas print is a digital image reproduced on fabric. In the past, canvases were made from hemp. Today, materials such as cotton, poly-cotton, and polyester are more commonly used.
The print is created using advanced inkjet or giclee printers. This process uses archival-grade pigment inks. It delivers vibrant and long-lasting colors, incredible detail, and smooth gradients.
Canvas has a texture that mimics the look of an actual painting, in contrast to paper or posters. It is also great for showcasing many types of art, including digital art, photography, and fine art prints. Canvas, archival inks, and protective coatings make your prints last for decades. They keep the colors vibrant.
Canvas became a popular surface for painting in the 14th century. Early works like Andrea Mantegna’s “The Agony in the Garden” (c. 1455-1460) and Paolo Uccello’s “Saint George and the Dragon” (c. 1470) still exist today. This shows how durable canvas is—a quality that canvas prints still maintain.
Styles of Canvas Prints
There are several styles of canvas print pictures. You can customize them for your decor and taste.
1. Stretched Canvas Prints
In this classic style, canvas is stretched onto a wooden frame. It eliminates the need for additional framing and comes ready to hang.
2. Gallery-Wrapped Canvas Prints
Gallery-wrapped canvas prints describe the type of edge used for canvas prints.
The wrapping options include:
-
- Image wrap: The image wraps over the edge of the stretcher frame.
- Mirror wrap: The edges of the image are mirrored over the sides of the canvas.
- Solid-border wrap: The edges are finished with any solid color you choose.
3. Framed Canvas Prints
Framed canvas prints add structure and depth to your canvas and can elevate its look.
Our frames come in three different styles: floating, decorative, and traditional gallery frames. Each style is available in a variety of colors.
4. Split Canvas Prints
Split canvas prints divide the image into multiple panels.
Breaking the image into sections creates a dramatic effect. It works best for panoramic landscapes, bold abstract art, or any image created with the split planned in advance.
5. Collage Canvas Prints
These prints combine multiple images into a single piece of wall art.
Collage canvas photo prints are a popular choice for displaying a photo series and family memories. In your collage, you can use different layouts and add text.
6. Rolled Canvas Prints
Rolled canvas prints are not stretched over a wooden frame.
They are a budget-friendly option and ideal for long-distance transport. They work great if you want to stretch or frame your print yourself.
Why Choose Canvas Prints for Your Artwork?
Canvas print pictures offer several unique benefits that set them apart from other printing methods.
-
- The texture of canvas and the three-dimensional look add character to the image.
- The durability of the canvas and archival inks ensure your prints remain vivid for a long time.
- Canvas is available in a wide range of custom and standard sizes and styles, allowing you to create the look you want.
- Compared to glass-framed paper prints, canvas prints do not reflect light.
- Canvas prints are easy to transport and hang, and are not as fragile as glass-framed prints.
- Stretched canvas prints can be a more cost-efficient option than other mediums. They don’t need additional framing or mounting technology.
- Canvas print pictures are an effective way for artists and photographers to sell their work and reach more customers.
Uses for Canvas Wall Art
Here are some of the main uses of canvas wall art.
Home Decor
Canvas print pictures are a popular choice for home decor, adding warmth and personality to any space.
For artists and photographers, selling prints for home decor offers many possibilities. You can transform any of your works into canvas art.
Office Spaces
Offices, meeting rooms, and lobbies often feature custom wall art or even gallery walls and oversized statement prints.
As a business owner, you can use wall art to enhance your space and create a more welcoming atmosphere. As a photographer or artist, you can offer your art or branded art to businesses.
Hospitality and Commercial Venues
It’s hard to find a hotel, restaurant, or cafe without wall art. Canvas prints enhance the ambiance of any venue, especially when selected to fit other decor.
For artists, brick-and-mortar locations can be a great avenue to showcase and sell their work.
Gifts
Canvas prints make great personalized gifts for special occasions like weddings, anniversaries, and birthdays.
Photographers can offer canvas photo prints for these occasions. Designers can create commissions printed on canvas as keepsakes.
Galleries and Artists
Canvas art prints are a popular option for creating reproductions of original artwork. They can be a particularly interesting choice for traditional artists, as the subtle texture maintains the painterly look and feel.
Additionally, digital and photo artists can use canvas prints for gallery shows, for added dimension.
Print-on-Demand (POD)
Print-on-demand enables artists to drop-ship their canvas prints through their web store.
It’s ideal for smaller businesses that are just starting out, allowing them to set up their store from the comfort of their homes.
With POD, you can scale your business with demand. There is a low barrier to entry—you don’t have to make a huge investment in advance.
Conclusion
Canvas prints fuse modern technology with a classic appeal, which makes them one of the best ways to showcase wall art.
They are durable, versatile, and aesthetic. These types of prints work great for both personal use and for artists and businesses.
If you want to enhance your space or start your online store, visit Lumaprints. Schedule a consultation and begin transforming your space and art career with canvas wall art.
About the Author
Sara Popovic
Sara is a writer and illustrator who likes to dabble in web and graphic design, as well as handcrafting. She loves exploring various ways to create, present and market art.
Sara has worked on several ecommerce projects in the past, including Etsy and Fabletics. What drives her to create content in this industry is helping people build their own creative projects and turn their passion into a living.
