Whether you are looking to hang a reproduction of a favourite artwork, add that classic canvas texture to a family portrait, or preserve a beautiful vacation memory for years to come, we are here to help. Simply upload your digital image with our easy-to-use online order form, select your size and finishes, and place your order.

Curious about the process of creating a Giclée print? Read on!

WHAT IS GICLÉE, ANYWAY?

A canvas print is any artwork or photograph printed on canvas. It could be any level of quality, using any type of ink or printer.

A Giclée canvas print is created using an inkjet printer specifically designed for high quality prints on archival-grade, water-resistant canvas and fine art papers.

Giclée prints last a very long time, because they are printed with pigment ink instead of dye ink (the kind used in most Solvent printers by signmakers). These light-fast, UV resistant inks bond to the canvas or paper better than dye inks because they soak into the medium. When you drip water on a piece of dye ink-printed paper, it will run. Pigment inks settle into the fibers and hold on tight. When properly cared for, a canvas printed with pigment inks can retain its original color for up to 100 years.

On our blank canvas rolls, we can print up to 64" in width. To allow for extra canvas to wrap around the stretcher bars when we mount your canvas, the maximum print size is 60" wide. There is no limit to the length of canvas you can have printed.

YOUR GICLÉE ON CANVAS IS PRINTED. WHAT'S NEXT?

Once your canvas has been printed, it must be sprayed with a protective coating which helps block UV rays to keep your print from fading (the inks do some of this work as well). It also protects your artwork from smudging, scratching and fingerprints. The coating we use has a semi-gloss finish, which means it is not shiny (which would reflect light and hinder viewing of the image) but not quite matte(which would dull the colors).

Each canvas must have a wooden stretcher bar frame custom made for it. The frame can be different depths depending on your selection, and is made from pine beams that are finger-jointed. As you can see in the picture to the right, finger-jointing involved connecting two separate pieces of wood together with small, grooved "teeth". The result is a very strong length of wood that is straighter and less likely to warp than a single piece. These bars are cut at a 45° angle and fastened into a frame using "V" nails (also called "wedge" nails).

Once the frame is constructed, the canvas is stretched over it very tightly, using special pliers and a staple gun. The corners are folded in neatly so the front and sides of the canvas have a smooth, neat shape - like wrapping a gift.

Once the canvas is mounted on the stretcher bar frame, the back - which now has visible staples - is taped with a black or white cloth tape. The tape hides the staples and gives the back a neat, finished appearance. It also keeps dust and insects from getting between the canvas and the wood, and protects your wall from the metal staples. Then, felt or foam bumpers are applied to the bottom corners to further protect your wall.

The final step of production involves attaching hardware to your canvas. D-ring hangers are screwed into either side of the wood frame and wire is strung between them. Your order will come with whatever additional hardware is required to mount your new Giclée canvas print on your wall!

Need Extra Hardware? Order Online!

D-Ring Picture Hangers

Picture Hanging Wire

Bumpers

Wall Hooks

FRAMING YOUR GICLÉE CANVAS PRINT

The smooth, image-wrapped edge of a Giclée canvas print makes it great for hanging unframed on the wall. But if you're partial to that fancy border, or you have existing art you need to match, you always have the option to pop that beautiful print inside a flattering wood frame moulding or canvas floater frame. Both options give your print a polished, gallery look, and protect the edges from bumps and scuffs.

Bordering your canvas print with a regular picture frame will result in a beautiful display, but it is important to remember your canvas will not appear wrapped. When a canvas is going to be placed in a picture frame, it may be wrapped on a very thin stretcher bar frame so it fits into the rabbet of the picture frame without sticking out from the wall. Picture framed canvases generally do not have a glass cover; they do not need as much protection as a photo paper print, and the glass can take away from the classic canvas texture.

Alternately, you may choose to purchase a canvas floater frame. With this option, nothing in faceview will be lost and you retain the "wrapped" look of an unframed canvas. Floater frames go around the outside of your canvas (instead of slightly overlapping the edge like a regular picture frame). They are fashioned 1/4" to 1/2" larger than the canvas, which then rests on the extended back edge for a subtle "floating" effect - hence their name!

We are always happy to help you decide which style is best for your art. Whether you choose a picture frame, canvas floater frame or frameless display, your Giclée canvas print is bound to shine!

YOUR GICLÉE PRINT IS READY TO SHIP

Once your print is completely ready, it will be fitted in a custom cardboard box with protective padding and shipped to you.

We offer free shipping on all orders over $149. If your order is less than $149, a flat shipping rate of $29 will apply. Additionally, if you would like your package shipped more quickly, Express or Overnight shipping is available for an extra charge.

We guarantee your satisfaction on every order. If your product has any defects or arrives damaged, please email us a photograph of the product. We will correct the issue as quickly as possible.

If your product is undamaged, but you are unsatisfied, you may return it to us, postmarked within two weeks of receipt. We are happy to refund the full product cost (up to $200), minus shipping.

As a producer of high quality artworks, KeenArt Media is here to make sure you get a product you love. If you have any questions about your potential order that are not answered in these articles, please do not hesitate to call us. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are always happy to assist you.

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