Canvas printing has become highly affordable over recent years and it is a great way of making sure those cherished images last a lifetime. Photographs onto canvas can last a lifetime but only if you buy from the correct company using the right materials.

What to look out for when buying canvas photographs online? There are a number of factors that are important to find out if you are looking at purchasing a photograph on canvas. Usually images are printed onto a cotton canvas or polyester canvas the later been the cheaper of the two. Polyester canvas is a cheap alternative to cotton, it usually gives a brighter colour than Cotton but it tends to look like a cheaper product. Cotton canvas is a natural product and for that reason has a more natural authentic look to it and gives great printing results. Also favored by some printers is a cotton canvas with polyester woven into it. This gives both a natural feel and provides the best colour definition.

One factor key factor to ensure your canvas prints will last for years is due to the inks that are used to print it. Companies use both die based inks and pigment inks. Die based are basically inks that die the material where as pigment inks are made from finely ground rocks. Pigment inks will not fade over time like die based inks and will last upto 150 years without fading. Pigment inks are Uv protective ensuring your image will not fade.

Amongst Uk canvas printing companies there are not many that still apply a giclee varnish. This is essential for two reasons. Giclee varnish applied to the canvas before it is stretched, this adds extra Uv protection to the image and ensure the image has a protective finish on it.

High quality canvas prints are out there at highly affordable prices but a little research is required before you buy. What grade canvas will it be printed on, What inks are used?, and does the canvas have giclee varnish applied to it?