"Poster to canvas transfers", Port Credit Village Times, V. 2 Ed. 1, Feb 2008.

It is hard to believe that February has arrived!  Holiday season has passed, and we are now all waiting for a break in the weather, and any signs of spring.   This is the sixth edition in this series, if you have missed prior articles, or would like to re-visit them they are available at www.albionartgallery.com/articles.htm, or give me a call at the gallery.

            This issue I would like to introduce something that may be new for you, but certainly not new to the industry of custom framing:  Canvas Transfers.    They are increasing in popularity, and every month we seem to do more and more.  The process is simple, and the look is incredible.

            Canvas Transferring consists of taking an ordinary print or poster on paper and mounting it onto canvas.  This gives the artwork an ‘original’ appearance, and allows you to frame without the use of glass.  The process consists of adhering a poster to a canvas through the use of a vacuum press.  The press applies a strong even pressure to the entire poster and permanently mounts it to the canvas.  Another layer is then applied on top of the poster through the same process; this layer is a clear acrylic with a slight textured finish which gives the authentic look of canvas and protects the artwork behind.  Once the canvas is ready it is stretched like an original painting over a wooden frame.

            I am commonly asked if we can change the size of the prints when applying them to canvas or if we can do multiples of one image.  Although we can mount just about any size to canvas it is the item itself that is being mounted.  Because the paper itself is being mounted, and not printed onto the canvas we can’t change either the size or number of prints that are possible.  There is a process that involves printing onto canvas which is much more expensive and will be visited in a subsequent article.

            Now that your poster is on canvas it is ready to frame.  With the acrylic protection the use of glass is not needed and the artwork can be treated as an original.  Frames can be chosen to best suit the style of the artwork and the elements of your home.  Visit your local custom frame shop and you will soon find the choices are endless.

            I have found that some people prefer a small or no frame on their canvas.  In this case I always recommend a narrow floater frame, which finishes off the artwork, without taking away from the image itself.  Everything looks better in a frame, it completes the look of the canvas and your art.

            Above all, always remember there is more than one perfect frame design for each piece. Keep an open mind, and it should feel right when you see the right frame design. Also, you should feel comfortable with whoever is working with you to create the perfect design. Professional custom frame design takes patience, time, skill, creativity and vision.
For more information please contact Christopher Adair at 905.278.2117 or visit www.albionartgallery.com