Photo On Canvas Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any problems uploading your image please do not worry – proceed with your order and let us know – you can use email or our helpdesk instead to send your image to us. We will also email you if notice any problems.

We can use pretty much any image and maintain the quality when enlarging it to the correct size for printing with our specialist software. Please take into account the original image quality though – we cannot make vast improvements to it (we can improve it by removing ‘noise’, enhancing colours etc). If the original image is of very poor quality it may prove difficult to work with. We are happy to advise you on this if you a particular image that you would like to use.

When you set up your digital camera you should ideally use the best quality setting available. A lot of cameras ship as default to a lower quality setting so that you can fit more pictures into the cameras memory, so it is always wise to amend this setting also for all future photos (and buy a bigger memory card for storage if necessary!)

In summary, the better the quality of the original photo, the better the results will be when enlarging.

If you wish to send us a real photograph to make your canvas, we recommend that you use suitable packaging to send it to us in as good condition as possible. We will return your photo with your canvas.

This means that newer mobile phone cameras can produce good enough quality images for most canvas sizes. Older mobiles may not be suitable for the larger canvas sizes due to them creating lower quality images. However, this is exactly why we introduced the mini canvas – which provides a perfect way of presenting your precious memories from ANY image, from ANY mobile phone camera.

The reason that we prefer customers not to edit their images is because quite often we receive photos that have had background details cropped away for example. If the remaining image dimensions are not in the right proportion to the canvas size that is ordered (which is often the case), we are unable to create the correct size image for printing. If we receive the original, unedited image we can make any adjustments as required. Amending image colours for example before sending us your image is fine but when you resave the image please ensure you use the best quality settings.

We will also always provide an online preview of the work carried out prior to printing, to make sure you are happy with it.

All images are made up of thousands of pixels (small blocks of information). If you were to take an image and enlarge it to ten times its original size you would simply be expanding those blocks and that will result in the image looking ‘blocky’ or ‘pixilated’.

Using a variety of different, specialist imaging software we use the most up to date enlargement algorithms. Rather than just making the expanding blocks bigger, this software will help us to intelligently create new pixels based on the existing information contained in the image. The result is that the image is much sharper and retains the original detail and colour values.

To enhance your canvas, we can then soften or sharpen the whole image or specific parts as necessary.

The canvas that we print on is professionally colour profiled to match our on screen colours, and we use specialist printer software to manage the colour profiles of every print to ensure its accuracy.

Simply provide us with detailed instructions when placing your order. In the comments box on the order page you can tell us how you want us to combine these photos into one image. We don't charge extra for this service.It’s absolutely free – for now!

We also offer an unframed canvas option that is cheaper than the stretched canvas product. You can select an unframed canvas from the left hand menus on our website. These are delivered rolled in a tube for framing locally.

We prefer to ‘clone’ the edges of your image as this keeps your original image in full view from the front of the canvas, whilst allowing the image to flow nicely around the edges of the frame.

We also offer plain coloured edges and a ‘Studio Wrap’, which we introduced recently. To see samples of each please visit our Styles & Effects page by clicking here

The stretcher bars (frames) that we use are made of a Pinewood called Fir. This is a lightweight but very strong wood that is much less prone to warping than standard pine bars, as used by many other suppliers. This is an essential factor in todays centrally heated environment. Our bars are imported directly from specialised manufacturers and have been kiln dried to 8% moisture content.

Our stretcher bars also incorporate a rounded edge, which has been designed to ensure that the canvas is permanently elevated away from the stretcher bar. This prevents an unsightly edge or 'ghosting' from appearing on the face of the canvas, which is common if the rounded edge is not included.
You can choose between a standard frame depth (2cm) or for a small extra payment, a deep frame (4cm).

For the largest and heaviest canvases however, it may be a good idea to fix it more securely with wall plugs. We would also recommend the use of anchor plates if hanging your canvas print in a public place

As an option we also offer the application of two coats of museum grade Giclee varnish. This will offer further protection against UV damage and other physical damage such as yellowing, moisture and scratches and knocks to the canvas surface. As with any other print or painting, avoiding direct sunlight will maximise the expected life.

Another benefit of applying Giclee varnish to your canvas is that it will also enhance the colours of your canvas beautifully. We use a satin varnish that really lifts the dark colours whilst it also avoids adding a substantial amount of shine to your canvas.

As standard we coat the finished print with a lacquer which will further protect the ink from UV damage as well as offering an alternative varnish method which will prevent physically damage such as scratches and knocks to the surface.

We suggest that you do not expose your canvas print to moisture and do not clean with a wet and damp cloth. Also, do not use any cleaning chemicals.