Do Canvas Prints Fade?
Digital printing began in the early 1990s with wide-format printing. Wide-format digital printing is popular with Canvas, and to create a canvas print, the photo of choice is printed onto a hemp canvas fabric for strength and durability. After stretching, the canvas is enlarged by fastening it to a frame. The sturdy plain weave design of canvas and its impression of art similar to acrylic or oil paintings make it a popular printing material over other materials like paper. However, many people still wonder if canvas prints fade with time. Here are a few factors that determine the durability of canvas printing services.
Why Canvas Prints Fade?
- A print’s fading is most affected by direct sunlight. Inks and dyes are broken down by UV (ultraviolet radiation).
- Direct sunlight can affect prints, but not as much as indirect sunlight. Despite the fact that ambient light is nearly impossible to avoid, you can protect your print more easily.
- Despite its insignificant level of UV radiation, fluorescent & incandescent lighting do emit UV light.
Home lighting won’t cause issues in most cases, but gallery lighting will cause issues over time for photographic prints. By being exposed to airborne contaminants & humidity, prints can degrade and discolor over time.
Factors Influencing Fade Resistance in Canvas Printing Services
Canvas prints will have a different resilience to fading depending on how they are produced. Print production involves three factors to be aware of:
- Canvas Types
- Choosing The Right Ink Type
- Applying A Protective Coating
Types of Canvas
There are 3 canvas printing services types depending on what you want to print:
- Cotton or Linen
The archival nature of this paper makes it the preferred choice for many professional photographers when printing fine art prints. A finer or coarser weave will produce a different texture. Images are more detailed on finer weaves. Since natural fibers absorb ink rather than sitting on top, ink is absorbed by the cloth. In this way, you can create more subtle colors, which can work well for some images. Natural fibers can vary from batch to batch. Printing long runs can be challenging if you need consistency. The higher cost of this type of canvas makes it more suitable for limited edition prints.
- Polyester
Printing on this material is the cheapest, but do not assume it has poor quality. However, it does have its own advantages compared to cotton. Due to its synthetic nature, it can retain greater detail due to its smoother finish. Ink is deposited on top of the paper rather than absorbed, which allows for richer colors and higher contrast. Prints will look more vibrant and have consistent reproduction.
- Polyester/Cotton Blend
Most print labs use a blend of 60% poly and 40% cotton. Due to the fact that it combines the best of both worlds, this blend is most popular. The price is affordable, the print is consistent, the color vibrancy is good, and the canvas print has a textured finish.
The Best Way To Protect Your Ink From Sun Damage
An image can be laid onto any print medium using two types of ink.
- Dye-based Inks
- Pigment Inks
- UV Inks
Dye-based Inks
The fade resistance of dye-based inks is generally considered to be lower. Liquid colorants are used to make them. The result is less water resistance as well. However, dye-based inks produce a more vibrant color.
Pigment Inks
Archival prints are always created with pigment inks. A solid colour is made up of microscopic specks suspended in the liquid. Sun resistance makes them more attractive, even though they are not as vibrant.
UV Inks
The advantage of pigment inks is that they are fade-resistant, compared to dye-based inks, which incorporate UV protection. Almost every printer now offers this feature.
Canvas Print Care
It is also important to consider how you will care for your canvas print if you want it to stay vibrant. If your canvas printing services is lightfast and durable, among other qualities, keep it away from direct sunlight to ensure it does not fade. You can also protect your print from the elements with a protective glass frame, including dust, water, and vaporous toxins.
An Extra Coat of Protection for Your Print
The top coat will be UV and water-resistant, a common practice among reputable printers. Canvases can be coated with this type of protective coating using a spray gun. By sealing the ink and canvas against moisture and sun damage, it also protects against general airborne contaminants. You can apply a top coat to your print yourself if one hasn’t been applied yet. They provide great protection for your print, even though not all of them have UV protection.
- Laminate – Some print shops will laminate your print. This clear plastic film is applied using a heat press. However, liquid laminate can be purchased and applied with a brush or roller.
- Fabric Spray – Outdoor fabric spray is used to waterproof cushions and other items and is available at most hardware stores.
- Varnish – Varnish is available in spray or liquid form. Just make sure to use a completely clear varnish. If not, it can cause a tint or discoloration.
- Polyurethane – Polyurethane is available in both oil and water-based formulations. Using water-based products because oil-based will end up leaving a slight discoloration. Polyurethane is applied in liquid form and hardens to form a protective barrier.
Conclusion
Canvas prints deteriorate over time, but the rate of deterioration depends on the environment in which they are displayed. Archiving the prints and controlling the previously mentioned external elements is a great way to ensure that your canvas prints do not fade as quickly as they would.
Grab your canvas printing services today!