Canvas Photo Prints - The Longevity

Sooner or later most photographers begin to consider how long will their printed pictures last. This goes to the root core of photography, because when you take a picture you are preserving a singular moment in time that will never happen again. In light of this, when you - the photographer - are making a print, you want it to look as good as the day printed decades from now. So when you decide to put a photo on canvas, but you’re wondering how long will the canvas print last? We know that prints on paper can last well over a hundred years, but can the same be said for artist canvas?

Even with the today’s most modern technology, there are essentially two primary elements that determine the longevity of a Canvas photo print: the ink used in the printing and the actual canvas. The ink’s lightfastness or color fastness determines the inks useful life and your prints resistance to fading. Depending on the quality of ink, your print’s life can range from 2 -3 years to in excess of 100 years (easily possible with EPSON Archival Ink, like EPSON Ultra Chrome K3 or something similar). These archival inks are pigment-based and are designed to stand the test of time. But you still have to employ the best techniques, processes and conditions to achieve the longevity that you want.

The actual canvas should be of the highest quality, acid-free cotton, as this affords in better ink absorption and decreased yellowing with age. In addition, the frame in which the canvas is stretched must also be acid-free; the acid will cause yellowing and degrading of the print quality over time.

Not every one is going to display their images under the same conditions, they might be framed with glass, or without; or they might hang in rooms with bright lights or some place that only gets sunlight for part of the day. All of these scenarios have a bearing on the longevity of a canvas print.

A few tips to consider to insure a long-lasting canvas print, include: a) avoiding direct and/or intense sunlight, b) avoid water, and c) remove any lint, dust, dirt, hair or grime with a lint roller or a soft brush.

Fine Art photo canvases are designed for interior use only (unless specifically stated) and they require a protective spray or liquid laminate overcoat. The overcoat helps ward of harmful, ink-degrading UV light and protects the canvas from dampness or humidity. However, you must be extremely vigilant with the overcoating, because it will change some characteristics of your print, which may include color, gamut, gloss level, and other visual characteristics.

In addition, it is recommended to get a matte finish, as opposed to a glossy finish, in order to reduce or avoid any unsightly reflections or glare.

The optimum temperature for displaying your Canvas Photo Print is 60° - 80° F (15° - 25° C) under glass and outside of direct sunlight.

A company called Wilhelm Imaging Research Inc has done the majority of testing of print longevity and developed the expression “Display Permanence Ratings.” Their research has shown that quality inks, combined with quality canvas, printed on a quality printer and finally sealed with a quality sealer can produce photo canvas prints that will last anywhere from 60 to 142 years without “noticeable fading.”

A reliable canvas printing company that knows their craft well and does that research, and then strives to produce the best possible produce should be able to confidently and truthfully assure their customers that their memories, when printed onto canvas and displayed in reasonable conditions, will last for at least 100 years.

Author Hugh Parker:

Zaza Gallery is the buzz in the photo on canvas world. This site is unique so join the buzz and visit us by clicking photos on canvas Thank you… Hugh Parker.