Canvas Printing

[Martin Pearson]

Steve, try doing a search on the boards, I am sure someone mentioned a system for applying liquid laminate before which was a bit like one of these wall paper paste applicator’s where the print was pulled through a sort of tray of liquid laminate. Don’t know how it worked myself but it apparently did a very good job and wasn’t messy like you would think it would be.

[steve tomaselli]

Thanks Martin.

I’ll have a look through some of the forums.

Just found that Lion, supply Frog Juice, but at £15.22 for a 340ml aerosol, it’s so expensive!!

[Bill McMurtry]

Viponds UV Digi Clear – a water based clear laminate that I spray applicate. Really tough finish with UV inhibitors which stays flexible, never had a problem using on canvas. Not sure if their product is available outside Australia – http://www.viponds.com.au

[Colin Crow]

I find it much quicker and smoother to us a gloss foam mini roller for applying liquid laminates to canvas. Graffityp supply a good UV inhibiting version for around £30/litre which goes quite a long way.

Colin

[Bill McMurtry]

Just have to be careful rolling liquid laminate over water based ink 😉

[Colin Crow]

The water based pigment ink in my Canon is no problem at all – even straight after printing. The biggest problem is finding places to hang the darn things while they dry in an already overcrowded workshop!

[Dorian Marks]

steve
can i ask what is the brand of canvas you print onto and where you get it, looking to source same myself
thanks

[steve tomaselli]

hiya pal.

I have used various suppliers. However for the past few months I have been using a supplier on Ebay, it’s actually a poly canvas rather than a cotton canvas. However, I am going back to a cotton canvas, as the poly canvas is really cheap looking, and I’m having problems with the quality of the product. Imperfections in the material, causing printing problems. Originally I had been using a canvas from Hexis. They have a good quality canvas, that has a pre treatment to white bleach it, however it’s very pricey! I’ve been given a sample from Blue Fish supplied by the following company (www.paper-graphics.co.uk) Canvas looks great, and I believe the price is good too. I’m gonna do a few runs with it. There’s a company called the Paper Company, based in Manchester…… again a bit pricey though.
What printer are you using?
I’m currently having issues with my laminating/varnishing. I’ve just ordered from Lion (www.lionpic.co.uk) their ‘Glamour II Liquid Veneer’, alond with the roller kit for application. Fingers crossed this works. If there is anyone else with further advice on this it would be greatly appreciated, it’s getting so frustrating. As per previous posts, I tried using a spray, which looked absolutely fantastic on application, but cracked the print as soon as I started stretching the canvas. I even tried applying the spray after I had stretched the canvas over the frame, but then cracked afterward!! Eugh!! Help!

[Shane Drew]

quote steve tomaselli:

I tried using a spray, which looked absolutely fantastic on application, but cracked the print as soon as I started stretching the canvas. I even tried applying the spray after I had stretched the canvas over the frame, but then cracked afterward!! Eugh!! Help!

Steve, don’t use a varnish. It does not breathe, will eventually yellow, and will go hard (which is why it cracks)

For canvas, you need to use specialist UV laminates. We use a water based material from Vibonds here in Oz and its brilliant – spray application is best. I’m sure there must be something over there, but it may be a bit expensive compared to the varnish.

Techink produce a product called Graphicoat. I’ve used it on banners and its very good, flexible and dries clear. May be worth checking out a supplier in you part of the world. It is dear though 🙁

[steve tomaselli]

Thanks Shane. Ye I must admit, I do prefer the idea of using a spray rather than a liquid laminate…… Hard work trying not to get streak lines etc. I’ll have a look in to the product you have recommended thanks. I’m using the Rowland SP540v (Eco Solvent inks?) are these laminates still suitable, thanks!

[Shane Drew]

quote steve tomaselli:

Thanks Shane. Ye I must admit, I do prefer the idea of using a spray rather than a liquid laminate…… Hard work trying not to get streak lines etc. I’ll have a look in to the product you have recommended thanks. I’m using the Rowland SP540v (Eco Solvent inks?) are these laminates still suitable, thanks!

Yes mate. Good rule of thumb is to use waterbased laminates for solvent inks, and solvent based laminates for waterbased inks.

I was using graphicoat liquid laminate with my 540ex running eco inks, before I converted to full solvent. Had no problems over the ink at all…..

[Mike Grant]

Why do you need to varnish a canvas print, can’t it just be used straight out of the printer??????

[Lynn Normington]

I would have thought so Mike, you can always frame it ?? which is what I thought was the idea of canvas prints 🙄

Lynn

[Chris Wool]

yes mike it can be used straight from the printer depending on inks etc.
a lot of the time they have to be varnished for extra uv protection and i think people here are mainly talking about rap stretch frame prints.
the other reason for varnishing is to pep up poor colours due to bad material and poor profiles.

chris

[Bill McMurtry]

Aside from the obvious UV benefits, laminating can also add richness and consolidation to the finished product colour (real canvas paintings are often varnished) and will increase scratch resistance.

[Shane Drew]

quote Bill McMurtry:

Aside from the obvious UV benefits, laminating can also add richness and consolidation to the finished product colour (real canvas paintings are often varnished) and will increase scratch resistance.

…. plus a lot easy to keep clean. Colour enhancing and UV protection is the main benefit though

[Brooke]

Coating is a definite plus. more vibrant finishes. Depending on what purpose of display, gallery work would require a satin or matt finish to reduce glare from downlighting. But all in all dust is the main enemy here for standard canvas prints. Obviously positioning of the print away from afternoon sun is a definite must for any print, especially one that is not laminated.

[drunknMONK]

Hello, We use liquid laminate for prints coming off mimaki JV3, for vehicle wrapping, product from spandex, we apply it by hand using a gloss roller