A lot of people ask us why our canvas prints are so expensive. There are three main types of canvas print and lots of different ways of stretching and printing them. Canvas pictures are not always what they seem

canvas prints have been around now for about 7 years with the first ones costing an absolute fortune and being mainly printed onto low grade canvas and with a hefty large format printer.

canvases really started to come into their element when Epson introduced the first large format printers with speed like the epson 9600 and the epson 9800. These print machines were the first to use inks that would last and give photographic performance every time. They were cheap to run and canvas prints came out looking like vibrant studio photographs.

The only problem with the canvas prints from these machines was that the inks lasted, the canvas lasted but you needed to have a layer of varnish to stop the inks coming off the canvas.

Typically you will see canvas sellers stating that their inks last 75 years. This is what is written on the back of the pack so to speak. canvas prints will last that long – so we think but the varnish tends to yellow over time and peel.

One of the latest forms of print for canvas is Dye Sublimation. Dye sublimation takes a sheet of transfer paper as you used to use to make t-shirts. The image is then printed onto the transfer paper and laid flat over a real woven canvas. The canvas and the transfer paper are then rolled through a gigantic heated roller until the image is pressed and heated into the weave of the canvas.

The end result is a picture that does not need any varnish and is vibrant beyond belief. One can still see the weave of the canvas prints but they are filled with ink instead of simply laying on top.

Dye sublimation prints can be washed like clothing, used inside or out and hung in any home in the house. This is the new choice for canvas prints and set to be the norm when choosing large format art.

Source Four Blank Walls

Canvas Prints at fourblankwalls have succeeded all of our expectations using our new Dye sublimation techniques. We have found that more and more companies are choosing to use our services for enhanced colour and non reflective surface.

Our latest supply is to a chain of department stores in Portugal who sell our canvas prints as an indoor and outdoor product.

 Putting it in a nutshell “Perspex art is Cool”

As the innovators of Perspex art to the high tech plasma TV and LCD generation over 5 years, we have seen a dramatic increase in this type of art. Perspex art is now at the forefront of home art design and we are leading the way in quality and design.

What is Perspex art?

We take a high grade piece of Perspex (not acrylic) and reverse mount our patented photographic prints. We laser cut neat holes into each corner, flame polish the sides and add stainless steel fittings to hang on your wall.  More FAQ’s

The effect

The 10mm thick Perspex enhances the colours, definition and gives the whole piece a luxurious feel. The stylish fittings enable the artwork to stand proud from the wall and light to interact with the space around. The overall effect is modern, sleek and simply stunning!

With over 7 years experience in printing photos onto canvas and some of the most advanced printing methods, we can print your photos onto canvas with ease and speed. How does the process work? 1)  Choose an image that you want printed 2)  Choose a size from our size/price page 3)  Send the image by email (digital image) to our email address or via post (photograph).  Full details on our contact page. 4)  We then scan your image in or upload from email and enlarge your image to your chosen size. 5)  The design process includes us viewing your photo at large scale and removing any dust or hairs that may not be visible to the naked eye. 6)  Finally we add any free design options that we have discussed with you for your canvas and proceed to the printing process. 7)  We print your canvas art print and it is ready to be sent to any uk address within approx 7 days.

Canvas prints are an artistic way to show your photos on canvas and display art in general.

Canvas prints have been around now for many years and comprise briefly of two types.

Firstly there is the Giclee method of printing and secondly the Dye Sublimation method of printing.

Giclee printing

Giclee, pronounced geecley, is a fine art print that uses a large format printer such as an epson 9800 or similar to print onto canvas or a similar medium.  The image is processed through a rip or photographic package and sent directly to the large format printer.  The printer then takes the image and prints the image onto the substrate as dots within a sqaure inch.  The end result is a fine art piece that can be varnished and stretched over  a frame for hanging on the walls.

Dye Sublimation

 Dye sublimation printing is slightly different to giclee printing.  Dye sublimation uses a large format printer again but prints onto a special transfer paper.  The paper is then placed over a canvas and heat is added. The ink then sinks into the weave of the canvas.

The main benefits of giclee printing is that it is quick and easy to produce.  The downsides being that the ink is prone to cracking and the varnish may yellow over time.  Dye sublimation on other hands does not fade and does not crack.  The inks are waterproof and much more vibrant.

Four Blank Walls are one of the only companies that sell art online to actually use the Dye Sublimation process.

Welcome to our blog where we home to keep in touch with our customers on some of the more technical issues surrounding canvas art prints and wall art in general.