How to tell if a canvas is good quality

When selecting canvas prints to place on your wall, you probably are focused on the actual image that will create the look and tone of your space. However, a component of your success with wall décor comes down to the materials they start with in the first place. Before you invest in any type of home decoration, whether it is a stunning piece of metal artwork, a fabulous custom painting, or a beautiful canvas print, you need to think about the quality of the material.

Investing in high-quality wall art ensures durability, beauty, and satisfaction for years to come. It may even allow you to pass that customized artwork down through generations with lasting beauty. To help you choose the best products for your home, we’ll discuss the various types of canvas available today.

The Materials Matter

Canvas is typically a plain-woven linen or cotton fabric. It's noted for its ability to create strong bookbags for kids and sails for boats that can handle intense storms. When we speak about canvas for paintings and prints, we are generally referring to those made of cotton or polyester.

Cotton vs polyester

One of the first places to start is with the canvas material itself. Cotton, a natural product, has long been used for clothing and blankets and as a surface for painting. Its natural feel offers a soft, almost soothing experience to the skin.

Polyester requires more extensive creation and numerous supplies as it is a manmade product. It’s very common for bags and clothing because of how durable it can be. That is one of the reasons it is often used in canvases.

Acid-free matters

When choosing canvas for personalized art, it’s also important to consider what’s in the material itself. Specifically, look to determine how acidic the compounds are. Acid deteriorates these surfaces over time, which means using an acid-free product helps to prolong the life of your canvas.

Solid wood frames

When choosing decorative elements for your space, do not shy away from solid wood frames. Inferior products, including those made from plastic, are very common and tend to cost less. However, they take away from the aesthetics of your design because they cannot support the canvas well enough and create a risk of less overall stability. While other options exist, including for metal prints, a solid wooden frame is always an excellent choice.

Printing Techniques and Ink Quality

Now that you have your surface in place, the next step is to consider the printing methods used. Truly successful interior design focuses heavily on your ability to create beautiful image quality. That’s done in several ways.

High-resolution printing

To create high-resolution results with crisp images and clear details, it is critical to use the right inks. That includes vibrant quality inks. Also, look for those printing processes that utilize fade-resistant inks. This helps to support the longevity of your images, allowing them to last for decades while retaining their bright colors.

Avoiding pixelation

If you can “see” dots, called pixelation, in the image, that means the wrong type of ink was used. Inferior printing will result in both dull colors and obvious pixelation, which will take away from the natural beauty of images.

At Canvaspop, we only use the most advanced printing technology to specifically create exceptional quality. This is one of the factors that differentiates quality art from simple printing.

Build and Finish

Art as a statement piece is only possible if every detail is considered, and that includes the actual building and finishing process. It is possible to see the difference in quality by looking at both the build and the finish of the customized artwork you’ve created.

Stretching the Art

Now that you have a stunning image on a piece of canvas, the next step is to place it on the frame. However, this isn’t done with simply wrapping methods. Instead, we stretch it. A range of stretching processes exist, and with proper care and attention, it’s possible to create a crisp, clean, and taut canvas.

That matters. Whether a custom stretching method is used, a gallery wrap, a common modern art option, or a museum wrap for a more classic finish, the ultimate goal is to create a taunt display. That can enhance the piece’s appeal.

Protective coatings

Once the image is in place, we want to take every step possible to minimize any damage to the surface. To do that, we need to consider the application of protective coatings. These coatings do not add a sheen or shine to the image. However, they can protect against UV rays that commonly damage canvas when it is in the sun, even for a short amount of time. Some of the protective coatings also help increase durability, which means it’s less likely to suffer scratches when bumped.

Clean corners

Another component of the best possible workmanship is clean corners. This refers to the way the corners are folded and held in place. If the corners are misshapen or messy in any way, that indicates a less-than-professional application to the framing. In a proper design, there is no sagging either. No component of the canvas should sag. If you see this, that is another indication of an unprofessional finish.

Customer Reviews and Guarantees

When choosing decorative elements for your home, including custom wall art, you may be unsure how to learn about these intricate details and whether the provider is offering them. At Canvaspop, we encourage you to ask questions to get the details you need and want. We would be happy to explain our process.

Customer reviews and testimonials

There may not be a better resource than to use customer reviews and testimonials from the company’s website, as well as third-party sites like Google Reviews. That’s going to give you a better indication of the quality and just how impressive the custom piece of art really is (or is not). Customer reviews offer a realistic opinion of the quality. When using customer reviews to gauge the quality of any type of unique wall art, there are several things to look for in reviews: - What did the person purchase, and was their expectation realistic? - What is the level of customer service provided? Did the company allow for customization to meet specific needs? - If there were concerns – and there may always be some concerns – how did the company handle it? Were they professional and polite? - What do people say about the color, framing techniques, and overall quality? - How do people plan to use these images in their homes? Did they get the results they wanted and expected? The more in-depth you get with this information, the better you’ll understand what to expect when choosing a provider for your decorative elements.

Warranties and guarantees

Not all companies offer warranties or a satisfaction guarantee, especially for customized artwork. However, if they put in the time and work to create an exceptional piece, they should stand behind it. At Canvaspop, we offer a full satisfaction guarantee that should give you peace of mind. Our goal is to create incredible pieces that are more than interior décor trends but are pieces you will want to pass down through generations.

All providers should provide some level of warranty. To do that, they should provide that information on their website during the purchasing process. If you do not have that promise, you may wish to find a provider who is ready to help you.

How can you tell your purchasing good quality canvas?

Considering all of those details, you may still be a bit unsure about what to look for when buying canvas. There are several simple things you can do to know what the quality of canvas art prints is, even if you are buying them online:

• Review the company. Read customer reviews and feedback. Learn what the company does well by looking for consistencies in statements from multiple people.
• Look at the material itself. Is it all-natural cotton or a polyester material? Be sure the company is willing to share with you what the material is.
• Ensure it starts with a strong, wooden frame that creates a defined image design and durability.
• Be sure you know how the ink application happens, what types of ink are used, and what types of coatings and protective elements are added to protect that image long-term.
• Always look at the details, including how the corners look and whether the canvas is taut. When choosing a company to work with, consider their warranty and promise of a top-quality result. That can make an incredible difference in your experience. Choose a reputable provider like Canvaspop who will guarantee your satisfaction. You should feel confident in making this investment in your home.

Turn to Canvaspop for exceptional quality every time

Are you ready to invest in high-quality wall art? Let Canvaspop’s premium canvas options help you get the exact results you’re looking for in your next project. You’ll see the difference for yourself.