The best canvas printing services give photographers a method of displaying their work in a manner that can emphasize the fine art aspect of the art and craft of photography.
Not every picture we take is automatically going to look like a Rembrandt or Van Gogh simply because we display on a classic medium. But for those special images of ours, creating a print on canvas can really add to their visual appeal.
There are quite a few options for displaying our photographic art. We can put our images on art quality archival printing paper.
We can create a backlit piece of acrylic with our picture on it. Metal prints are a fine way to display our talent. We can even put our photos on a T-shirt, a shower curtain, a deck of cards, or an edible display on top of a cake.
Canvas prints can be a display medium that we would be proud to display on our own walls or offer for sale to someone else. Just like with regular prints on paper, though, not every printer may be the right choice for us. We will assist you in making the best canvas printing services choice for your needs and wishes.
Are canvas printing services worth it?
Short answer: yes. Several printing services offer introductory pricing with huge discounts or have periodic sales they promote.
Several places we looked at have canvas printing options that are priced very similarly to their better paper prints. For the most popular sizes anyway. Very large canvases tend to be more expensive than paper prints.
A couple of tips: I like to shoot or post process with certain display methods in mind. One of the main things that may need to be different for a pleasing canvas print is the contrast level.
The texture of the canvas medium can add or diminish contrast. For landscapes, it may be better for the image file used to have slightly more contrast. For portraits, a little lower contrast might work better.
Even though we are mostly using digital photography nowadays, I still like to use previsualization methods similar to the Zone System for B&W film and paper imaging. Especially so in the post processing part of our art.
I will even final edits as “Julie ¾ pose canvas,” or “Moon over Skyscraper metal print,” or something like that. Programs like ACDSee or Adobe Lightroom make that part of the workflow relatively simple to accomplish.
How I found the Best canvas printing services
- Print sizes. If you want to display a very large print, you need to be sure the printer offers that size. Print size needs can be deceptive. What seems like a giant enlargement held at arm’s length can become virtually insignificant on a large wall in an office or living room. Large canvases look good. Smaller prints can be just what’s needed for some display options, though.
- Stretched or not. A canvas print can be just the canvas fabric itself, or the fabric can be stretched on stretcher bars. Stretcher bars are what hold a canvas taut for display. You can mount a canvas to stretcher bars yourself or have the service do it. Odd print sizes might require you to cut your own stretcher bars in order to fit properly. A gallery wrap is an elegant option for some images. The image bleeds over to the side of the bars in a gallery wrap.
- Frame options. A gallery wrap can be displayed as is with mounting hardware for an artsy effect. Specialty frames can display some of the side of a gallery wrap. A variety of framing options are available, either framing the canvas print as the size of the print, or with a matte board effect.
- Some places charge very low prices for the canvas but then have shipping charges that can be significant. Some places ship with the canvas unmounted to the spreader bars. This can reduce shipping costs, but it means you have to stretch the canvas yourself.
- User interface. As with other printing options, cropping is often necessary for standard print sizes. It’s hard to order a print when you can’t see how your image is cropped. Personally, I want to be control of how my image is cropped instead of using a generic crop.
- Ink quality. You don’t want your large canvas to fade in 6 months. High quality inks ensure a lasting image.
- Color cast. Unless you’re going for a specific effect, a neutral color cast for the canvas material itself is preferred.
Top 7 Best Canvas Printing Services + Reviews
1. CanvasPop
CanvasPop is a full service lab for canvas printing from digital files. They will print from social media posts you have made, too, though if you have a higher resolution file to use, you really should. Web optimized pics are fine for small enlargements, but if you want 11×14 or larger, I personally recommend uploading a decent image file.
When you upload your pic to them, their technicians work on each photo individually, adjusting settings for the best result. If you have post processed to exactly what you want, choose that option and you’ll get exactly what you sent in.
Canvases are then stretched onto wood bars by hand for a ready to display finished print. You can also choose from a variety of framing options for any size print they offer. Sizes are customized from 8×8 inches all the way up to 38×76 inches.
Attention to detail and quality is an integral part of their printing business. The name of the technician who worked on your order is even printed on the back of the frame of your picture.
Besides the custom printing, the canvases are given a protective coating for improved UV and moisture resistance, ensuring that your art stays viewable for a long time.
A 100% satisfaction guarantee is standard for all orders. In addition to canvas, they also make a wide variety of paper print products, including special display options.
The user interface for cropping, applying corrections, and choosing frames is easy to use and intuitive for any level photographer from absolute beginner to retired professional.
Pricing is on par with other quality online labs. They also have periodic promotions and a deep discount for new customers.
- Lots of print sizes available. All standard sizes plus custom orders. Includes huge enlargements.
- Stretched canvases are finished and mounted by hand.
- Many frame options for all prints and canvases.
- Shipping is reasonably priced and fairly quick. Priority shipping options at extra cost.
- User interface for cropping and choosing options is easy to use.
- Ink and print quality are superb.
- High quality materials and printers add no discernable color cast.
2. Canvas Champ
CanvasChamp is another high quality option of the best canvas printing services. Their prices run a little bit lower than some of the other labs, possibly due to their outsourcing much of the actual production of their product. Even though it is outsourced, CanvasChamp is still in charge, since it appears to my research to be fully owned and operated by them, just that it’s outside of the US.
As far as outsourced labour and production is concerned, I have never found any quality differences in the services I have used from several different labs scattered throughout the globe.
For certain things, I will gladly accept the time delays involved for a greatly reduced price with no loss of quality. Digital photography is a worldwide job for many current artists. I sell to and work for clients in Asia, Oceania, Europe, and the USA. Now if only I could get invited to Rio…
All of the popular enlargement sizes are offered, and custom sizes up to 56 inches square. Panoramic canvases can also be printed. You can also choose to have the canvas print only, without stretching onto wood bars. For very large canvases, this can greatly reduce shipping costs and times.
Their user interface was very easy to use and allowed for all the cropping and customization you expect from a full service pro lab. The materials and inks used are top notch, producing art that they offer a 99 year (limited) guarantee on.
Introductory pricing and periodic sales add to the appeal of this lab. If you can accept the long shipping times, try them out.
- Many print sizes available. All standard sizes plus custom orders.
- Finished as stretched canvases or as the print only.
- Many frame options for all prints and canvases.
- Shipping is reasonably priced but it isn’t speedy. Expect 3 to 6 weeks for finished orders.
- User interface for cropping and other options is easy to use.
- Ink and print quality are fantastic.
- High quality materials and printers add no discernable color cast.
3. iCanvas
iCanvas sells artwork of other artists, but also has a printing service for your own images. They print and mount all their stuff at their own site. It might be interesting to see how they acquire the artwork they market. Maybe an opportunity…
Anyways, for printing your own art. iCanvas offers all the popular sizes plus custom work including panos and huge canvases. Since they are primarily an art production and marketing facility, you may wonder how they deal with your personal prints.
Well, they work just like any well respected full service lab. They are artists and art lovers, the technicians make any corrections requested to the file before printing, or you can choose to have your post processed image printed exactly as you submitted it.
They have been in the art manufacturing business for many years, and the quality of their finished product is absolutely wonderful. Pricing is a tad bit higher than some other labs, but the ink, paper, frames, and everything else they use is of superior quality.
Shipping is fairly quick and reasonably priced, there is even a free shipping option which adds a few days to shipping, up to about 2 weeks. One nice touch I appreciated is that they e-mail you a digital proof of the corrected, ready to print image file to you in just a day or two. Then you approve it or ask for changes and it goes to production.
- Most print sizes available. All standard sizes plus custom orders.
- Finished as stretched canvases.
- Many frame options or a simple mounting system for the stretched canvas.
- Shipping is reasonably priced and decently quick. Free shipping adds on about an extra week.
- User interface for cropping and other options is easy to use. Digital proofs.
- Ink and print quality are superb.
- High quality materials and printers add no discernable color cast.
4. GreatBigCanvas
GreatBigCanvas is similar to iCanvas in that they are an art house and a custom printer. Lots of preexisting art pieces to choose from, plus decorate with your own images.
New customers get an initial discount and periodic specials are offered fairly regularly.
All of the common enlargement sizes are available, from 8×10 inches to 32×48 inches. Any of the sizes can be made as a gallery wrap for additional cost.
In case you are wondering what the difference is between a stretched canvas and a gallery wrap, they are essentially the same. A gallery wrap adds image content to the sides of the of the spreader bars. You will have to adjust your cropping differently to make sure the front of your canvas shows all of the image you want it to. For those of you familiar with desktop publishing, it’s like adding bleed.
Floating frames can be added to gallery wraps. It shows about half of the wrap edge with a clean, contemporary style frame. Adding the frames really ups the final price, but it is a great finished look for certain images.
They offer a wide range of shipping options, from expedited to lower cost. Orders usually take about a week in production before they ship, so total time from order to receiving it at your door may be less than 2 weeks or up to 3 or 4 weeks.
The website interface is simple and direct, cropping and basic adjustments are the options available.
The finished product craftmanship is beautiful and very high quality inks and materials are use. Canvases used are completely color neutral unless you request something special.
For bloggers, this company has an affiliate membership available for extra income opportunities.
- Most print sizes available. All standard sizes up to 32×48 inches.
- Finished as stretched canvases or gallery wraps.
- Floating frame option or a simple mounting system for the stretched canvas.
- Shipping is reasonably priced and decently quick. Lots of options.
- User interface for cropping and other options is easy to use.
- Ink and print quality are outstanding.
- High quality materials and printers are color neutral.
5. EasyCanvasPrints
EasyCanvasPrints proudly put on their front page that their canvases are “Crafted with love in Austin, Texas.”
Standard enlargement sizes are available up to 24×36 inches. A panoramic canvas of 12×36 inches is an option, as are custom sizes up to 40×40 inches.
New customers receive a huge discount and discounts are offered often. Returning customers also receive discount codes and affiliated business coupons. The pricing is amazing when you consider the hands on approach to their in house productions.
Shipping is reasonably priced and includes speedy options of as little as two days. Faster shipping obviously adds to the final price.
The interface for customers is simple and easy to use. Cropping options include gallery wraps. Other than the gallery wrap, you have several edge colors available for any canvas.
No frames are offered, but the wall hanging system is a really neat way to hang up the wraps. It even has a built in level to make to make it easier to display your art in the most appealing manner.
- Most print sizes available. All standard sizes up to 24×36 inches, plus panos and custom sizes.
- Finished as stretched canvases or gallery wraps.
- A basic simple mounting system is standard with a special wall mount option available.
- Shipping is reasonably priced and can be very rapid. Lots of options.
- User interface for cropping and other options is easy to use.
- Ink and print quality are outstanding. Canvases are hand finished.
- High quality materials and printers are color neutral. Various edge options in addition to gallery wrap finishing.
6. CanvasHQ
CanvasHQ is higher priced than the discount printers, but they are all custom printed and free shipping is often available for some orders.
The standard enlargement sizes plus custom sizes are offered in sizes up to 40×60 inches. Edge sizes range from virtually flat to gallery wrap up to 2 inches deep. If you haven’t seen a large canvas with a deep gallery wrap, you will be pleasantly surprised by how sophisticated this finish makes your art appear on display. Of course, those deeper wraps add cost, but not a lot.
One of the advantages for photographers who are very serious about their finished prints is that you can basically have a one on one online conversation with a skilled lab tech before your canvas gets printed. So, you can get exactly what you want.
Quality control is present at every separate step of making the wraps, so you don’t have to agonize over possible redo’s.
Digital proofs are usually presented in about 2 days, with lab turnaround time of under a week. Shipping prices vary on method and speed chosen.
- Many print sizes available. All standard sizes up to 40×60 inches, plus custom sizes.
- Finished as stretched canvases or gallery wraps. A deep wrap option is available.
- Various framing and mounting options.
- Shipping is somewhat reasonably priced and can be expedited. Lots of options. A lot of care is taken to ensure damage free delivery.
- User interface for cropping and other options is easy to use. Proofs submitted when free image touch up services are used.
- Ink and print quality are outstanding. Canvases are hand finished.
- High quality materials and printers are color neutral. Various gallery wrap depths.
7. Pictorem
Pictorem is an art gallery and a professional printing lab. Based in Montreal, Canada, Pictorem employs some of the best artists and craftsmen in the business.
They are a little pricier than average, but not excessively so. In fact, if you wait for their discount codes or are a first time customer, prices are right about average. Which is really remarkable since this is basically a pro lab inside a fine art gallery.
They make prints in almost any size imaginable, canvases up to 48×72 inches. Panoramic formats and custom sizes are available. Also offered are metal and acrylic prints, wall murals, and a huge variety of paper print sizes.
Canvas wraps are virtually archival quality. You can also order unstretched as a roll, for you to mount as you please. Canvas rolls also give better pricing for the shipping options.
Spend some time on their website to get the full picture of services and products available.
- A full range print sizes available. All standard sizes up to 48×72 inches, plus custom sizes.
- Finished as stretched canvases or gallery wraps. A deep wrap option is available.
- Various framing and mounting options including floating frames and multi panel printing.
- Shipping is somewhat reasonably priced and can be expedited. Lots of options. A lot of care is taken to ensure damage free delivery.
- User interface for cropping and other options is easy to use. Proofs submitted when their in house image touch up services are used.
- Ink and print quality are truly outstanding. Canvases are hand finished. Virtually archival quality printing.
- High quality materials and printers are color neutral. Various gallery wrap depths.
How to look after your canvas prints
Since you are spending extra to get these canvas prints, you want to make sure they last a long time. If the printer offers some of varnish or coating, it may be beneficial to have that applied. You can also coat or varnish them yourself, if you are comfortable with that process.
Generally speaking, canvases are pretty durable and should resist most scratches, smudges, or fingerprints. You can dust canvases with a soft, dry cloth.
If your canvas is damaged and needs deeper cleaning you may try a slightly damp, soap or cleanser free cloth. If your canvas gets banged up or nicked or even loses ink in a certain areas it can be touched up with felt-tip markers or paint.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is that these online companies offering the best canvas printing services give you options of displaying your fine art photography. If you are a selling professional photographer, a well made gallery wrap can give your brand a way to stand out from your competitors.
Printing on any surface than paper can be quite an expensive and time consuming challenge. Having high quality printing available at decent prices is yet one more reason to embrace the digital online world of fine art photography.
Another to look at it, canvas prints look great. They can really add to your personal décor. Try out one of these best canvas printing services this week. You’ll be happy you did.