What canvas to use?

[wavejunkie]

I bought an Epson stylus PRO 9880 printer in December 2007.........it took me a year to decide on the printer and without knowing I had also opened the Pandora's box on the various canvas suppliers.

I looked at Epson's own canvas and even had Epson themselves print one of my photographs as a sample. The snag is this.......whenever I have read anything about canvas I am repeatedly told by all and sundry that one would be a nutter to pay Epson's prices and you should buy from an independant.

So...........I tried canvas from "breathing colour", I am not qualified to judge them but I am unhappy with the result. The canvas is too heavy and the pictures lack life (even when lacquered).

I downloaded their own printer settings but the results were worse than Epson's default settings.

My question is not how do I get the best result with the roll media I have but what is the commonly held opinion as to the best roll media available for a professional finish with my hardware?

[canonman]

Hiya Wavejunkie !

I'm going to answer this, rather than you thinking you're being ignored then getting all bitter and twisted !! Lol !

I'm not sure there is anyone in here that will answer from personal experience of printing to canvass. I'm making this assumption, because I have been trying to source a top quality canvass printing service for a while. I use the Epson PRO 3800 as I have no need for roll-fed media on a regular basis. In fear of stating the obvious, are you sure it is inferior canvass that has you searching further, or is it the old monitor calibration and print profiles that are the issue. I only say this, as I pride myself in producing what I think are very good quality prints. To get to that stage has taken an eternity of learning, trial and error and perseverence. Every new paper I use is a challenge to set up correctly, and can be very frustrating and expensive initially. Printing is one of the most overlooked subjects these days, and generally has people struggling with it.

I've probably been of no use to you at all on this, but as I said I didn't want you feeling all neglected !!

[wavejunkie]

Thanks canonman..........all points taken.

I've been printing my own work for quite a while now and felt that canvas was calling me. I wanted a quality heavy canvas but did'nt think of the down side............it's a total bitch to work with, you get better corners on a NHS bed.

The quality of reproduction is bugging me also.....what I might do if there is no answer forthcoming is try a roll of Epson canvas as an acid test so to speak.

I'll keep you posted............deep breath and hold it!"

[fireuk]

I have been using a 260g cotton canvas, this stretches perfectly and prints spot on. Plus the 24" roll works out at around £40 to the door from germany.

Keep well away from the polly canvas


if you want the contact mail me at russ@canvasideas.com

only to happy to pass details over

[Jan]

Sorry I missed this earlier. I have an Epson pro 4800. I've been using Water resistant Matte Canvas from Epson and have had very good results. I've always used Epson printers and only Epson consumables. When I've tried others the results have always been disapointing. Also, the further up the printer ladder you go, the more specialised the inks used and the fewer papers/canvases you can use with good results.

In the long run, although I admit Epson aren't the cheapest, by the time you take out the test runs and the unsatisfactory results that have to be ditched, the cost of ink, paper time and sanity, Epson aren't that much more expnensive.

Jan

[Robbo75]

Hey,

I happen to work for a canvas printing company, and we too use Epson 9800 with Ultrachrome K3 inks.

We have used the Epson matte water resist canvas with excellent results, but it is a little dear.

For a long while we used the chromata white canvas from breathing colour, again with excellent results, but due to our new laminating technique the canvas was a little heavy.

We now use a 350 100% cotton canvas, which prints perfectly, and is easy enough to stretch once laminated.

If you are having issued with the colour etc it might have something to do with the printer settings - is the paper set up correct etc?

e mail me if you still have no joy - robin@printitoncanvas.co.uk .

cheers

Robin