A canvas print is handled more than most printed products. It is stretched over a frame, folded at the corners, stapled, wrapped, shipped and then hung in a room where it may face sunlight, steam or curious fingers. Every one of those steps is a chance for the ink surface to scuff or mark. Coating the canvas before it is stretched gives the print a protective layer that takes the wear instead.
What a coating adds to canvas
Colourjet is a solvent coating that protects artwork from water, chemicals and abrasion. It also contains integrated UV inhibitors, which help guard against premature fading. On canvas, that means:
- Ink on the folded edges and corners is less likely to crack or rub away during stretching.
- The surface can be wiped gently if it picks up dust or a splash, rather than being permanently marked.
- Colours hold up better in rooms with strong daylight.
- Prints can go into kitchens, bathrooms and hallways where an uncoated canvas might suffer.
Coat before you stretch
Most studios apply the coating to the flat printed canvas and let it dry fully before stretching. Coating flat gives an even layer across the image and the wrap-around edges, and the dried film then moves with the canvas as it is pulled over the bars. Applying a coating to an already-stretched canvas is possible, but it is harder to get consistent coverage on the sides and corners.
For low volumes, a roller or brush application works. Studios producing canvases every day often move to a liquid lamination machine, which applies the coating evenly and repeatably across the full roll width. You can see the options on our equipment page.
Check your canvas and ink first
Canvas media varies widely in weave, coating and ink receptivity, and a solvent coating does not suit every combination. Before committing a production run, coat a test strip printed on the same canvas with the same printer and profile. Let it dry, then flex it, fold it over a stretcher bar and look closely at the corners. Our compatibility notes cover the common printer types: Landor Liquid Lamination is used on prints from pigment fine art, latex, UV and eco-solvent printers.
Finish and appearance
The coating sits on the surface, so it can change how light falls on the print. Some customers want a richer, more saturated look; others want to keep the texture of the canvas as matte as possible. Ask us which finish is right for the style of work you produce, and compare samples side by side under the lighting your customers will use.
If you would like help choosing a coating for your canvas range, or want to talk through a test, call us on 01252 624 411 and we will take you through it.