Could someone please point me in the direction of a decent place to go to for canvas prints? Preferably not too expensive, although I am well aware that you pay for what you get.
I have never done a print on canvas before so I'm basically clueless. Any pointers on whether there's anything I should do to make the image good on canvas would also be appreciated - for instance, should I put some grain on the image, or does it look better without? Maybe there's enough texture with canvas already?
Are ya signed up to receive GROUPON'S Canvas on Demand has $45 16 X 20 (1 1/2" wood frame) Canvas Wraps
from time to time. They're gorgeous and are shipped in bombproof packaging. My clients absolutely love 'em.
Hmm. I just had my first experience with COD and the jury is still out. The print was flawed (looked like a printer error) and the backing was slightly damaged in transit. The packaging for the smaller size (11x14 on 3/4 frame) was far from bombproof.
I'm waiting for the reprint. Hope to have a good report when I receive it.
I’ve had several done at Bay Photo. I wouldn’t say there inexpensive but they are good quality and packaged well for shipping. You also get 25% off your first order.
I would not use Canvas on Demand again. I have had four canvases done, one a rework. All had some issue with color, one with a bit of a sag as well. A free reworked canvas was improved, but still not acceptable.
The prices are, of course, what make them worth considering. But I just dont think they have enough quality control and are not geared towards photographers (despite their pro portal).
Scott
I had a gallery exhibit for 2 years and the first few canvas wraps were done from a pro lab, the rest at Costco. Absolutely no difference at about 20% of the price.
Before you comment, the pro lab is no slouch and is known for top notch work.
I just got an email from Digital Wedding Forum, CGProPrints.com has some great pricing, and $10 off your first order using coupon DWF512 through June 5.
Might be one of those "too good to be true" situations, though. Their regular prices are way less than Costco (12x18 is $18.99, 20x30 is $34.99).
At that price, you don't have much to lose, though. Might be worth a try.
I just got an email from Digital Wedding Forum, CGProPrints.com has some great pricing, and $10 off your first order using coupon DWF512 through June 5.
Might be one of those "too good to be true" situations, though. Their regular prices are way less than Costco (12x18 is $18.99, 20x30 is $34.99).
At that price, you don't have much to lose, though. Might be worth a try.
Mark
After looking at the site you are talking about it almost sounds to good to be true. The one thing I found on their site that makes me scratch my head a little is the following "Though our printers are very high resolution, because we print on canvas, files that are prepared at greater than 150 ppi do not provide a discernable improvement in print resolution. Therefore, we suggest you provide files at between 100 ppi to 150 ppi. " This is where it may be to good to be true. I print my own canvas on a large format Epson and BC very tight weave canvas. And yes I can see a large difference in print quality printing above 150 ppi. Makes me wonder.....they could be using a very course weave canvas which is much cheaper and yes you would never see more detail above 150 ppi. This would keep it from being close to the standards of a high quality print on canvas. But then Costco does not meet these standards either. It will be interesting to see what you find out.......Peter
I use circle graphics for large prints (20x30 and up) and I've been satisfied with them. I don't bother reducing resolution--I still send them 300 ppi. And they're not the only company that advises files in the 150ppi range for canvas.
I had a gallery exhibit for 2 years and the first few canvas wraps were done from a pro lab, the rest at Costco. Absolutely no difference at about 20% of the price.
Before you comment, the pro lab is no slouch and is known for top notch work.
Jo, I decided I couldn't pass up the CGProPrints 20x60 panorama for $55 (plus $16 shipping). I just ordered this image. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Heres a link for $29 16x20" or $45 20x30" 1 and 1/2" deep via Living Social. You can order as many as you want and the prices are valid until Dec 2012.
I've never personally used this company before, so I'm not vouching for them in any way, but at just $45 for a 20x30" I figure it worth giving it a try
Here are the printers and ICC profiles for them from Dry Creek for Costco stores in MT.
You can choose the state you live in and find the printer Costco uses at the store you shop at.
Note the crunched corner at the top left. I was really worried about that, but the ends of the box were longer than the canvas, so it was fairly well protected. But there is little protection along the long side of the box. Luckily there was no damage there.
It turns out that corner of the canvas seems to have some minor damage. But since this is for my office, and it was so cheap (about $70 with shipping), I decided I didn't want to deal with the hassle of sending it back, with no guarantee the next canvas wouldn't be damaged in shipping even worse. Not good enough for a client, though.
Overall the color is very nice. The canvas is about an inch deep. Because of the crop I had to work with, I decided to have them make the edges black rather than wrap the image. I would have lost parts of the photo I wanted to show. The back is nice and solid, and includes two hanging hinges.
It remains to be seen how well the canvas holds up over time, but I'm happy with it and I'd use CG Pro Prints again. It would be nice if their boxes provided better protection all the way around, but this was a large, awkward size, and I'm probably lucky UPS didn't totally trash it.
Canvas on Demand has $45 16 X 20 (1 1/2" wood frame) Canvas Wraps
