How to Print Digital Photos on Stretched Canvas

Make your own stretched canvas photo.

Creating a canvas digital photo involves printing the photo on canvas and stretching it onto a frame. Printing can be done with an inkjet or through an outside printer. Either way, a photo printed on canvas can give a more artistic, gallery-like appearance to the finished product. Stretching a photo on a frame requires the right tools and a little practice to give a neat, professional look.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Inkjet printer
• Photo software
• Digital photo
• Archival ink
• Canvas paper
• Pre-made wooden stretcher frame
• Staple gun
• Pliers

Instructions

1. Open the digital photo in photo software. Make any final adjustments necessary to the photo such as cropping, coloring and sharpening.

2. Click the "Print" button. In the Print menu, change print options to photo printing, heavier paper and for manual paper feed.

3. Load a canvas sheet into the manual paper tray. Click the "OK" button.

4. Let the printed canvas dry naturally (no fans) for up to 20 hours as needed.

5. Turn the finished print face down. Center a pre-made stretcher frame onto the backside of the print.

6. Pull each canvas side over each side of the stretcher frame. Use pliers to keep the canvas tightly stretched over the frame.

7. Staple the canvas along each side of the frame saving the corners for last.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider using an outside printer company to obtain the printed canvas photo. Most companies allow you to upload the digital photo to be printed. Also, some companies will frame the photo for an extra charge.

• If you are not using archival ink, spray the printed canvas with a photo fixative spray. Allow the spayed canvas to dry naturally for up to 24 hours.

• Pull the canvas gently with the pliers to prevent tearing the canvas.

References

• "Mat, Mount and Frame It Yourself;" David Logan; 2002
• Epson America, Inc. -- Epson Canvas Overview White Paper