FAQ's Kootenay Fine Art Printing

PRINTING SERVICES FAQ's

1. How do I order canvas prints from your site using my photos?
Upload your photos online and select a canvas print size.

1. What is minimum and maximum canvas print sizes that you offer?

Minimum: 12" x 18"

Maximums: 38" x 57". Maximum Panoramic artworks 38" x 144" (multi-panels can be larger, please inquiry by email)

1. Do you offer colour proofing for canvas artworks?

We can print a test strip for your colour proofing for a fee. 

1. How should I upload or send my photos if they are larger than 10 MB?
Please use our upload form if the file size in under 16 MB: file uploads
For larger file sizes, you may send a link to your uploaded file on a web/FTP server or through free online services like http://www.yousendit.com/ or http://www.dropbox.com/ You can also use free open source FTP software such as http://filezilla-project.org/
If you are familiar with FTP software, please contact us for our FTP server info.

1. Will the colours on my canvas print be the same as what I see on my monitor?
We do our best, but unfortunately we can not guarantee an exact color match as on-screen colors will vary depending on your monitor settings. However, if you are able to provide us with an original, we can guarantee a minimum 90% color match.

1. When I prepare my digital file, do I need to include extra space around the image for gallery wrapped edges?
Do not include space for edges or borders in your images. If you order a 36" x 24" print, the image you send will fill the entire 36" x 24" area. The extra space around the image for gallery wrapping will be added by us and will result in a printed image that is larger than 36" x 24". Please visit the Sidebar/edge solutions page to view the options available for wrapped edges. 

1. What file format can I upload?
Our online upload form accepts JPEG images up to 16 MB. If you would like to submit large file sizes in TIFF or other formats, please place your order using a small JPEG version of the file, and then submit your original file through an FTP server, or mail it on a DVD. Please Note: We display small, blank thumbnails after uploading file formats that are not JPG, PNG or GIF, or when uploading bitmaps that are over 6000x8000 pixels, but we will use your hi-res file when printing. 

3. What must the minimum resolution of my digital picture or file be, to be printed on canvas?
There is no formula, as maximum print size for a given photo depends on many factors like source (digital camera or scanned file), sharpness, camera lens, file format, compression, photo subject and so on. For example, we have printed 2 MB, 3000x2000 pixel photos at 48"x32" frame size. If you like, you can e-mail us your photo before placing an order. We are happy to consult with you on the best print size for your photo, based on its quality/resolution. Please note: photo subject/style is also a factor to consider. For example, in abstract photos the subject is more important than the resolution and print details, so you can ask for a larger print size.

When printing on canvas, the canvas' texture minimizes pixelations, which also allows us to print a larger image. However, we will not ship an order until we are sure the print quality is acceptable. If we have any concern, we will contact you for a better quality digital file or photo replacement. To learn more, read our article about working with low resolution images.

1. How are Canvas Gallery wraps made?

A canvas print, also known as stretched canvas or canvas gallery wrap, art is the result of an image printed onto canvas. We use fine art inkjet printers and the highest quality canvas to print all your images. All our canvases are protected with a water-based coating that come in glossy, satin and matte finishes. The coating protects your photo from moisture, light, humidity, dust, scratches and even fingerprints! After they have been printed, we take the canvas and either stretch or gallery wrap it onto a frame.

1. What is Canvas wrap?
Canvas wrap is the process of wrapping the printed canvas around a custom-made wooden stretcher bar frame for a clean, modern look and frame less presentation. The canvas is wrapped around and secured to the stretcher bar frame at the back of the piece, so that staples and other attachments are not visible from the front or side. Floater frames can also be used with canvas wraps to enhance the presentation of the canvas.

2. What kind of inks do you use for canvas prints?
We use pigmented inks, which not only provide better display permanence than the dye-based inks you get in most inkjet printers, but also have better water-fastness and humidity-fastness.

3. How do I take care of my Giclée canvas print?
1. Keep your print away from direct sunlight, or intense reflected light from mirrors, glass, etc.
  2. Display your canvas print in a moisture-free environment.
  3. Display your canvas at a safe distance from any sources of direct heat such as a fireplace or radiator.
  4. Run a soft feather duster over the front and top of the piece periodically to remove settled dust.
  5. Avoid using any form of liquid, chemical or spray products to clean your canvas.
  6. For marks on the print, you can use a soft damp cloth to rub very gently over the area affected.
  7. The flexibility of canvas material means that it can sometimes get dimpled, whether from handling or in transit during shipping. To remove these dimples, spray a mist of water on the back of the canvas. Then, either with a finger or paintbrush, gently rub the water into the surface of the canvas. Allow the canvas to dry and tighten to its original tautness. 

4. What kind of canvas do you use?
We use archival poly/cotton blend canvas. Details are below:

      # Water Resistant for increased durability
      # Highest resolution canvas for outstanding reproduction
      # Acid free
      # 65% Polyester 35% Cotton blend Poly-Cotton
      # CIE Whiteness:145, Opacity 98%
      # Weight 350 gsm, Thickness 21 mil
      # Unique texture for true artistic look
      # Instant-drying, micro-porous coating
      # Stretchable for framing

    2. What printer do you use?
    We print on Epson Stylus Pro 11880 Large Format 64" and Epson 9900 44" Stylus Pro printers.

    2. What is the resolution of your printer?
    Our Epson printers use 2880 DPI print heads to deliver extremely fine detail.

    5. I have an old photo that I want restored and put on canvas. Can you do that?
    Yes, we do offer photo restoration services, along with canvas printing. Your photos can be mailed to our mailing address to be scanned. Please contact us for pricing.

    6. Will you touch up my image at all?
    If there are hair, dust marks or scratches on your image, we will contact you to confirm that you want these removed. The same applies to correcting red-eye. Please contact us for prices of other types of touch-ups and restoration. 

    7. Which file formats are best for canvas prints?
    The suitability of the file format really depends on whether you intend to submit your image by email, FTP or by mail. As a general rule, JPEG files are best if submitting by email or uploading, while TIFF files are best if submitting by FTP or on CD or DVD. JPEG files are lossy, meaning that when they compress image data, they throw some of it away. When a JPEG file is uncompressed, it does not always duplicate the original data exactly. TIFF files are lossless, meaning they do not throw away data when compressing. The result is that TIFF files are much larger than JPEG files, but they preserve every pixel that was in the original.

    8. Do you have a gallery or a location where I can see examples?
    Yes, we do have a good selection of printed samples. If you're in Burnaby, BC, we'd be happy to meet with you and show you different printed canvas samples.

    9. Where can I find pricing information?
    Please visit the pricing page for pricing details

    10. How is the canvas print protected? What finishing method do you use?
    For canvas prints we use ClearShield Type C Coating as a protective finish. Type C is formulated to be used over water-resistant canvas printed with pigmented inks. While the Epson UltraChrome K3 Inks are already UV resistant, the coating has some additional UV buffers as well, and when applied to the print, the finish can further protect it from scratching, finger prints, or smudging. Order online: Clearshield coatings

    11. What is so special about a canvas print?
    The natural texture, depth and brilliance of a canvas print is unique. Unlike a regular print on flat paper, the textured surface of canvas reflects light in different directions, giving it a wonderful appearance of depth. Canvas doesn't need to be framed with protective glass, so the image can be seen clearly without bothersome glare. Canvas prints are also tougher and far more durable than paper prints. To learn more, see our Canvas Prints How It Works page. 

    12. What payment methods do you accept?
    We accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Debit Cards, PayPal and personal cheques. For details visit Payment Methods

    13. What are the copyright restrictions on printing?
    You can have any image printed on canvas provided you own the copyright for the image, have written permission from the owner of the copyright, or it is in the public domain. It is up to you as the purchaser of the image to ensure you have the proper legal permissions.

    14. Do you offer volume discounts?
    Yes, please visit Pricing & Volume Discounts for more information. 

    15. How long will it take for my canvas art to be printed?
    It takes about 7 business days after receiving your order confirmation for us to complete your in-house canvas print. If you are looking for a rush order please email us to inquire.

    15. Do you only print on canvas?
    No, we can print to fine art paper and photo papers as well. Our Fine Art Prints use archival inks and high quality papers, just like our canvas. 

     

    ARTWORK FAQ's

    1. Is your logo printed on the front of my artwork?
    We do not print our company name or logo on the canvas. What you see is a copyright and logo only viewed on our website. We do place a small signature (1 inch digital signature) on the bottom right hand corner of your artwork,  but if you do not want this signature, simply email us this request.

    1. My order has arrived damaged - what should i do?
    Please keep the original shipping boxes in case the carrier company needs them for inspection. Email some pictures of the problem to info@keenartmedia.com, and include your order number. We will handle the problem from there, and will be in contact as quickly as possible.

    1. Who do you ship with?
    We use FedEx, UPS or Canada post for majority of orders. We may use other courier & freight companies for local deliveries. 

    GENERAL FAQ's

    1. What services do you offer?