If you’re researching canvas printing one question that constantly pops up is whether you should use 100% Cotton canvas or Poly/Cotton canvas.
Nearly everyone you’ll come across will say they use a 100% cotton canvas and claim that it’s better than a blend. This isn’t exactly true. A high quality 100% cotton canvas is better than a cheap poly cotton blend (like those imported from China by many major retail stores). But the reverse is also true, a high quality poly cotton blend is better than a low quality 100% cotton. So don’t be fooled! The question to ask is not about cotton or polyester, it’s about independent fade testing, OBA’s, weight and the brand.
Because of a misdirected demand for 100% cotton canvas some canvas printers will SAY they use 100% cotton, but ACTUALLY use a poly/cotton blend! You might get a brilliant print, but it’s not fair to advertise one thing and sell another.
Genius Printing uses the Canson Infinity range of canvases, offering a poly/cotton blend and a 100% cotton because once you use the world’s best brand of canvas, then what it really comes down to is an aesthetic preference.
The Canson canvases are independently fade tested, completely OBA (Optical Brightening Agent) free and manufactured using world’s best practices.
Canson Artist, Archival Poly / Cotton:
The canvas will not yellow, crack or curl and is an ideal choice for a variety of applications including portraiture, fine art photography and demanding giclée requirements. It has a gesso base in it that helps to almost completely eliminate cracking when stretched. It has a smooth, more uniform weave than 100% cotton. It is best suited to photographic images.
Canson Museum, Archival 100% Cotton:
This premium, OBA-free archival canvas is the optimal choice for a variety of giclée applications for artists who demand modern technical excellence in concert with the texture, feel and body that only an all-cotton canvas can deliver. It looks more ‘authentic’ or ‘traditional’ than poly / cotton. This is characterized by a rougher and less uniform weave. It is best suited to artistic and illustrative reproductions. It works especially well when reproducing paintings.
The most important factors when choosing a canvas type to produce your important images on are independent fade testing and the absence of OBA’s. If a canvas isn’t independently fade tested then there is no guarantee of the colour lasting. If it contains OBA’s then the canvas will eventually begin to yellow and discolour. The Canson Infinity range has been independently fade tested to last up to 120 years without fading.
You should also look for a good heavy canvas, as this will make it more dimensionally stable. This means that it can be stretched to greater tensions without warping or ripping, and it also means that over the decades it will be much less likely to sag and lose its tension. Some canvas is barely thicker than the paper in your home printer! The poly cotton used by Genius is a hefty 390gsm and the 100% cotton a huge 440gsm.
Finally, check out if the company you’re researching is advertising the brand of canvas they use. If they’re not, then they most likely are using a cheap import.
