At some point most photographers consider how long their printed pictures will last. As we think about this point we can see how this thought originates at the heart of photography, after all when we take a picture we are trying to preserve a moment in time. We are creating a remembrance of something that will never be exactly the same. In view of this expressed thought when we print our images we want them to keep their visual integrity. Yes, we want them to look as good as they did the day they where printed 100 years from now and longer.  Digital Art is at its best.

Realistically is this possible and how can we determine how long photo’s and specifically in this article photo’s on canvas will last? As a consumer this question becomes important especially when we are parting with money in exchange for prints.

To answer these questions there are a few variables we must consider.

photo credit: Jan the manson {condemns stealing pictures}

We must appreciate that not every one is going to display their images under the same conditions. Some will display their image framed with glass, others will without glass. Some will hang them in rooms with bright lights, some in areas of there home or office that get sunlight for part of the day. Still, others will hang them in areas with high humidity such as bathrooms. All of these scenarios have a bearing on the longevity of a photo on canvas. In light of this we realize that applying “Display Permanence Ratings” to an image that we are going to hang in a given area, will give us not an exact, but general idea of how long that image will last. The determining factors are not just the ink, canvas, sealer, ext. although these are important, equally important is the environment the image will be displayed in.

The company that has really pioneered the most excepted tests for measuring displayed print longevity is Wilhelm Imaging Research Inc. The expression “Display Permanence Ratings” refers to a standard of tests that show the longevity of prints. This company is not a manufacturer of imaging products but is a third party research company which allows them to be more objective and non partial when rating print permanence. Their tests take into consideration such factors as light-fastness humidity-fastness ozone-fastness as well as other factors. Their research has shown that quality inks, combined with quality canvas, printed on a quality printer and finally sealed with a quality sealer can produce photo canvas prints that will last anywhere from 60 to 142 years without “noticeable fading”. Some of the constant features of these test environments are that the light is 12 hours a day at an exposure brightness of 450 Lux The temperature being 75 degrees Fahrenheit and 60% humidity. It is of great value to know that many household display areas are similar to this description of these test environments.

Information like this is invaluable to both Print Professionals and consumers.

No doubt many would agree that it is the responsibility of the print professional to be educated about such things.

The canvas chosen by a print shop should be archival. The company that manufactures the canvas should stand by there product with a guarantee that their canvas will out last the inks used to print on them.

The inks too should be archival, industry tested like Epson Ultra Chrome K3

photo credit: peaceandlove197

Everyone loves visiting a museum and appreciating the fine art of a picture gallery. The beautiful paintings seem to have a magical feel, as being almost larger than life. Every detail of paint strokes on the canvas seems to have its own story, all intertwined to create a masterpiece. This is what people mean when they say that a painting speaks to them, as if the art work itself is sending them a personal message. This is possible because of the surface of the painting itself. Only with canvas can paint and ink truly reach its full potential to create a piece of art. For many years it was impossible to convey this same effect with photography. With special paper, the process of getting pictures developed and printed was a long and arduous procedure. The outcome was a photo on paper that usually didn’t capture the full effect of the moment it was intending to immortalize.

Now that has changed. The technology to create a gallery wrapped photo on canvas make it possible for people to have the same feelings about digital photos as they do about those paintings hanging up in museums. Now you don’t have to be an artist to be able to move people, just be ready with a camera to capture that perfect image or moment and transform it into a gallery wrapped photo on canvas, and create works of art that will be suitable for any occasion and appreciated by many.

Creating a gallery wrapped photo on canvas is a reasonably simple process that has become readily available through online shopping and printing technologies. All a customer must do is upload their photo with a website and order their desired frame size. The printers then go through the process of printing your picture onto the canvas using the best canvas and ink the industry has to offer. A gallery wrapped photo on canvas is then stretched large enough to wrap around the sides of a stretched frame that the canvas is mounted on. This gives your picture a nice three-dimensional feel as opposed to two-dimensional photographs. By stretching the canvas around a frame to which it is mounted on, a gallery wrapped photo on canvas is ready to hang on the wall as soon as you receive your order. It is so nice, that in many instances they can be hung or put on display without another outside frame being needed. A great look for any environment!

A gallery wrapped photo on canvas is a perfect way to celebrate past memories, and create great gifts. Some of the most popular photos that are transferred onto canvas are ones with babies, pets, wedding pictures, family pictures, reunion pictures, graduation pictures, vacation pictures, and many other special photos that may either hold a special place in a person’s heart, or be visually pleasing to look at. For these reasons, a gallery wrapped photo on canvas is a great way to liven up any room, and represent cutting edge technology in the art of photography.

ZaZaGallery – Put your photos on canvas and be the buss in your community. Our fine art prints are gallery wrapped using the finest canvas and inks to create a museum grade art piece.Our product is unique so join the buss and visit us by clicking pictures on canvas Thank you, Hugh Parker.