Inkjet canvas for giclee

The choices of inkjet canvas for giclee have increased exponentially during the last couple of years. What has changed is the number of different types available and the expansion of gamut.

Canvas is by far the most popular substrate for inkjet printing. The fact it can be displayed without glass, the luscious texture and colors, make it a very desirable choice. Inkjet canvas, as I will explain, starts as ordinary canvas and is then coated with receptor layers to bind with the giclee pigments.

There are basically two types of canvas for inkjet: water resistant and not water resistant. There are also some variations where some canvases are especially designed for solvent based printers, but I will stick with the water soluble ones as they are the most popular.

Water resistant inkjet canvas has the obvious advantage of not bleeding ink when touched with even slightly damp hands. The non water resistant types, when properly coated, achieve a degree of water proofing as well. The former has the advantage of taking painting media such as acrylic without the need for coating, and I advise artists who embellish or paint completely over to use the WR canvas.

Another issue which is hotly debated is the use of OBAs (optical brighteners). These are compounds used to whiten the inkjet canvas so whites are whiter. The major downside of OBAs is that when uncoated the canvas will yellow over time. My advise is to avoid OBAs. They are so many canvas products out there without OBAs that it is not necessary to go with one that has been artificially whitened.

Coating: does inkjet canvas need to be coated? I said in another section of the site that I strongly feel coating needs to be used. Lately though there are a few substrates that use micro porous technology. This allows for the pigments to permanently bind with the coating receptors to create an archival product which is also water resistant. This type of canvas is matte. Therefore, if a satin or glossy look is required, a coat will have to be applied.

Which canvas?

Choosing the right inkjet canvas is both a matter of cost, preference and durability requirement. Good products are expensive and it shows. There are many brand names and I have personal favorites after testing pretty much most of the products out there.

My tests factor in white point, Dmax, gamut, application compatibility, coating compatibility and scuff resistance. As you know the archival properties of each canvas are conducted using accelerated testing. I am not a big believer in blasting anything with high doses of heat, humidity and radiation to simulate aging in years.

Please contact me if you have any questions, comments or suggestions. I keep this page continually updated as the inkjet canvas technology is constantly changing for the better.