Canvas Printing Glossary of terms
Note: If you find a term on our website that you don't understand - please let us know and we will add it to our canvas printing glossary.
Black and White Printing: With the advent
of digital technology any image can be printed as a black and white
canvas print. Many commercial canvas printers offer black and white
printing on coloured inkset machines. This results in a poor-quality,
non-neutral print that can have a perceptible colour-cast under
different lighting conditions. BrilliantPrints offers a dedicated
machine using true black and white inks, for exceptional definition and
true-neutral black and white printing.
Canvas: A very wide cross-selection of canvas is used by companies offering to put your photograph onto canvas. A poor quality canvas will often be thin, crumble easily when stretched, and be a blend of cotton and artificial fibres. High quality canvas should be archival, heavy-weight and beautifully textured. At BrilliantPrints we use some of the world's best US-sourced canvas as featured in fine art galleries and the top-art museums.
Border-Wrap: Border-wrapping involves a solid colour border (usually matching a colour tone from the main image) being printed around the edge of the wooden frame. The physical image remains on the front of your canvas print. Border-wrapping produces the most effective canvas prints when the subjects in the picture are close to the edge of the frame.
Colour Profile: A colour profile refers to
the way in which a particular printer or computer monitor interprets
the range of colours present in an image. Mismatched colour profiles
can result in a consumer receiving a different result from the printing
device than suggested by the output on the screen. Colour profiles can
also refer to small files that can help you calibrate your computer to
those of the canvas printer.
Colour Correction: Many images taken on
digital devices can end up with a perceptible colour cast. This is a
dominating colour tone or hue that was not represented in the original
scene. Colour correction involves digital editing to remove the colour
cast.
Diptych: A diptych is a single image or
photograph divided into two distinct canvas pieces. The canvas panels
on a triptych are almost always hung together. Each canvas print can be
identically sized, or two different-sized panels can be used. When
viewed together they seem to be a single canvas print.
Framing: A framed canvas print will be
wrapped around a light-weight wooden frame. BrilliantPrints uses
premium timbers that last and look significantly better. High quality
frames (used for canvas printing or art-reproductions) are usually also
profiled. Profiling (see definition) means that the minimum amount of
canvas touches the frame - minimising the possibility of unsightly
lines developing over time. We offer three frame sizes for your canvas
print - 2cm, 3.2cm and 4cm (all at no additional charge)
Gallery-Wrap: Gallery-wrapping is perhaps
the most popular way to show off a canvas print. When gallery-wrapping,
the image on the front of the canvas is also wrapped around the edge of
the timber frame. This produces a seamless, modern look that is a great
way of showing off your new canvas art! When thinking about asking for
a gallery-wrap for your next canvas print, you should remember that a
small proportion of the outer image will be lost during the wrapping
process. Where this is likely to be an issue, it it worth investigating
border-wrapping options.
Giclee Printing: While the ultimate
origins of the word giclee are somewhat hazy, it immediately derives
from the French word "gicler" meaning to squirt. Literally, it refers
to a particular process of printing, in which high quality digital
images are printed on premium canvas using long-lasting inks. Giclee
printing is generally perceived to result in the best quality canvas
prints.
Lamination: An unlaminated canvas print is
like a house without paint. Not only does it look worse, but your print
won't last anywhere near as long. The laminate is a liquid coating that
is sprayed over the top of the printed canvas providing a fully sealed
barrier that protects your print. Lamination offers a physical
protective barrier, UV protection, fungal protection and anti-graffiti
properties. A high quality laminate (like the one used by
BrilliantPrints) will allow you to wipe your canvas print down with a
damp cloth.
Light-fast: Most inks used in the canvas
printing process have a particular light-fast guarantee. This rating
specifies a time period in which there should be no perceptible fading
of colours. A poor quality canvas print will use inks that have a
limited light-fast rating. Over-time you will begin to notice a drop in
quality. At BrilliantPrints we use inks that are light-fast for 75
years (colour) and 200 years (black and white)
Pigment Inks: A variety of inks are used
by different companies printing on canvas. Genuine pigment inks are
longer-lasting, produce better colour definition and higher quality
images when printed on canvas.
Profiling: Profiled timber pieces are
slightly curved - meaning that the canvas used for the print only
touches the wood at a single point. While this is not immediately
visible, it helps prevent unsightly lines appearing longer-term. Most
canvas printers will not offer double-profiling as it is a
time-consuming and labour intensive process.
Proof: A proof is a file that shows what
an image will look like when printed as a canvas print. This allows you
check that you are happy with borders, colour definition, cropping or
any editing.
Ready-to-hang: A ready-to-hang canvas
print can be placed straight on the wall. At a minimum it should have
pre-installed eye-hooks and already be strung with high-quality twine.
Triptych: A triptych is a single image or
photograph divided into three distinct canvas pieces. The canvas panels
on a triptych are almost always hung together. Each canvas print can be
identically sized, or three different-sized panels can be used. When
viewed together they seem to be a single canvas print.
Un-framed: An unframed canvas print is
simply printed on a piece of canvas. No framing is used. It might be
suitable for situations where you would like to frame your print
yourself, of if you would like to have an easily transportable "sample"
canvas print.