In addition to the artistic, personalized touch from a custom photo canvas artist, canvas prints find much of their charm and desirability in the medium used - the canvas material itself. Canvas is a heavy duty, plain-woven cotton fabric that gives your canvas photo a distinct texture unlike any other material. Many canvas photo owners refer to their photo on canvas print as a "family heirloom" or as a gift that will "last a lifetime" - both alluding to the durability and longevity of the prints. Let's examine why, when done properly, you can rely on canvas printing technology today to produce high-quality canvas photos that will last a lifetime - and what you can do to preserve them beyond even that.

Canvas Printing Technology Process

After receiving your still print or digital image, the photographic technician/digital artist completes any needed artistic optimization on your photo. Your canvas print is then produced using only UV-protected inks that are not solvent. These are the same archival quality inks that museums use. These inks insure longevity and insure that your print acquires color fastness. It is also these same inks that will give your canvas photo the vibrant, crisp, clear colors that you are looking for (unless, of course, it is a black and white image).

Just as important as the inks used, are the canvas printers utilized as well. You should investigate that the canvas printing company you select has spared no expense by investing in the most sophisticated canvas printing technologies and machines available.

If all of these steps are followed throughout the printing process, you will now have a lasting piece of canvas art. One last treatment from the company will offer your custom canvas print even more protection. You should ensure that the company uses multiple coats of protective clear spray for additional UV protection, as well as to protect against moisture and make the print more abrasion-resistant.

Ensuring Longevity

After receiving your beautiful new canvas photo, it is natural for you to desire to preserve it for generations to come. Making your new canvas print last a lifetime is not that difficult and simply means paying attention to such things as the environment in which you hang or store your canvas art and being careful of what materials come in contact with it. Here are a few specific suggestions about how to best maintain and preserve your new piece of art on canvas.

1. Wherever possible, avoid moisture of any kind from coming into contact with your canvas. As mentioned above, the protective clear laminate sprays used to treat canvas prints will make them water-resistant. But this is not the same thing as being water-proof. Prolonged exposure to water will cause your canvas photo to eventually absorb moisture. NOTE: This precaution does include keeping your canvas print out of high humidity areas, as even this can cause fading over time.

2. Do not place your canvas picture in direct or intense sunlight. Even if your canvas is suited to be placed outdoors (like in a garage area), this will still age your canvas. If is left long enough outdoors, (many times including enclosed sun rooms, for instance) within a few years it will undeniably fade - even with its armor of protective UV-resistant coatings. Reducing light exposure will ensure that your colors stay as they were when your photo was originally printed to canvas.

3. When you or others are handling your canvas, always make sure yours or their hands are clean of any acidic or other chemicals that could seep through and eventually damage your photo on canvas.

4. Periodically (and carefully) dust off and brush your canvas poster photo with a soft bristle brush to avoid any build up of dust.
Following these tips will ensure color fastness and longevity for your canvas print and allow you and your family to enjoy it for a lifetime.