Choose Canvas - 3D Prints

Your personal photo on canvas

2012-01-20T05:51:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered how you go about getting your digital photos converted onto a canvas print? Sounds difficult right? Wrong! Choose Canvas have made it easy for you to send your photos to us so we can print them onto your own personal canvas print.

Just visit our Personal Picture Page where you can upload your photo to us via our website, it is much easier & quicker then you think. Then once we receive your order we will despatch within 48hrs so it's hanging on your wall in less than a week.

Popular choices include family photos, a new born baby & the family pets. Or maybe you have some photos of when you were on holiday & you would some on your wall forever to keep the memories.

Even if they are older photos that were taken on an old style camera we can still print these for you. Simply email us at mail@choosecanvas.com with your details. If you have a scanner you can scan the photos into your computer then attach them to the email or if you would prefer you can post a copy of the photo to us & we will scan then print.

Seascape Canvas Prints

2012-01-16T04:59:00.000-08:00

Seascape canvas prints have a unique quality in that they can really brighten a room of give it a dark moody look. You can have a bright blue wave print which reminds you of summer holidays at the beach or likewise you can have a print with dark crashing waves showing the sea during a storm.

Or with this print you can combine 3 of our categories into one print! Showing Dolphins coming out of the water with a orange sunset in the background. So you have Seascapes, Animals & Sunsets all in one print!

This is without doubt one of out most popular prints & definitely the most popular within our Seascapes category. It's a unique shot taken from inside a water cove looking outwards with bright blue crystal clear water & the sun shining through at the top of the print.

Superhero Canvas Prints

2012-01-10T01:20:00.000-08:00

Choose Canvas have some great Superhero canvas prints available through our store. Believe it or not these are actually just as popular with the adults as they are with children!

Featuring the Man of Steel Superman, including this striking print of him with a sunset in the background. Or if you prefer something a little brighter how about this print of the iconic Superman logo with a bright flame background.

If Batman is your favourite then this close up of him will look great on any wall with the striking dark tones.

What about Spiderman he is more popular now than ever! We have 3 very bright prints showing him in various scenes. This would be our most popular showing him swinging between the buildings high up above the city.

Cityscape Canvas Prints

2011-12-22T01:50:00.000-08:00

Cityscape canvas prints have always been a popular choice for many reasons. Maybe you have been to a City on holiday or you just happen to like the landscape and vibe of a certain city. Perhaps you were born there and have since moved away so like a reminder on the wall. Whatever the reason they are poplular!

New York, in particular Times Square prints always look good simply because of all the bright lights and colours. We have many Times Square canvas prints but our Abstract Print is our favourite as it's full of colour and as bright as you can get! If you are looking for a more classic toned down print then what more classic than a New York Yellow Taxi print. Or finally you may like a print of the most iconic skyline in the world - the New York City Skyline, this print has a great unique orange tone to it!

It's not just New York prints we have though, far from it! We have a print from London showing the iconic Red Telephone Box, a print from Australia showing the Storey Bridge with deep purple colours and a print from Venice showing one of it's famous canals.

Song Lyrics on a Canvas Print

2011-12-19T01:48:00.001-08:00

A very popular edition that we offer is the chance to have your favourite song lyrics added to a canvas print with a picture of the artist as well!

These prints look particulary striking with white writing printed onto a black background. You can have any colours you like but this is a classic that always works well, well we think so anyway!

All these prints have been designed at Choose Canvas & we like them that much that we have got 2 on the wall here too!

Favourites include Elvis Presley with the lyrics to If I Can Dream or The Wonder of You, John Lennon's Imagine, Oasis with Live Forever & Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Chile. But at the end of the day you can have any picture & any lyrics you want. It's going to be your canvas after all!

Icons & Legends Canvas Prints

2011-12-16T06:42:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for canvas prints of icons then you've come to the right place! We have a huge selection of what we consider to be iconic figures of their generation whether it be Musicians, Actors or Sportsmen we have them all.

Within out music category we have a great print of the King of Pop Michael Jackson, a very popular print of Oasis songwriter Noel Gallagher & a classic black & white print of the Beatles.

If you are more a movie buff then who better than Marilyn Monroe, shown in black & white on this canvas print with bright red lipstick. Rightly so this is a best seller. Or how about a print of Bruce Lee taken from his most famous film Enter the Dragon, maybe you're a fan of gangster films then what better than Robert De Niro from Goodfellas.

If it's sportsmen you're looking for then it doesn't get any better than the greatest tennis player of all time Roger Federer, perhaps Boxing is you're sport in which case our abstract Muhammad Ali canvas print is perfect with it's dark brown tones. Finally who better to represent the England football team than David Beckham in full England kit.

Prints we think will be popular in 2010

2010-02-19T04:48:00.000-08:00

So it is a brand new year. Brand new decade even. Christmas is out the way & we’re all thinking about the summer & decorating the house. So we thought we would try & predict what some our most popular prints will be this year. We will probably be way off the mark but here goes:

New York Brooklyn Bridge - A classic print of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. This print oozes class. Printed in black & white which means it will look great on any wall & in any room.

Red Rose - A simple but beautiful canvas print. Showing a red rose close up. With Valentines Day coming round soon this is the perfect print to give as a gift.

Marilyn Monroe - A great rare print of Marilyn Monroe. This print shows Marilyn Monroe in black & white with a bright red splash of colour on her lips.

Michael Jackson 3 Part - This 3 part print was designed by Choose Canvas & shows the King of Pop in trademark pose. Featuring bright colours this is a great piece of art to brighten any wall.

Spiderman - The children love superheroes & Spiderman is more popular than ever at the moment. In this eye catching print you can see Spiderman swinging through the city skyline.

Yellow Lily - Finally we have gone for this abstract print of a yellow lily. It shows a bright yellow lily close up with a jet black background to enhance the lily even more. This is already a very popular print which we think will remain a favourite for a long time to come!

Give a Canvas Print this Valentines Day

2010-02-09T04:28:00.000-08:00

Valentines day is just round the corner & i’m sure you still don’t have a clue what to buy for your other half. Canvas prints are a great alternative to the standard flowers & chocolates. They show that you have actually given the present some thought & gone out of your way to find something a little different.

You can choose from our in house catalogue or to make it even more special why not upload one of your own photos to us & we will convert it onto your own personal piece of wall art.

We have selected a few prints that are ideal for a Valentines Day present:

Red Rose Close Up - A simple print showing a red rose close up.

Friendship - A heart warming print.

Brooklyn Bridge, New York - A black & white print of Brooklyn Bridge in New York.

Dolphins - A beautiful print showing 2 dolphins in the sea with the sun setting in the distance.

Single Red Rose - A striking print of a single red rose.

Remember there is FREE DELIVERY to the UK on every canvas print ordered.

What are good images to convert onto a Canvas Print

2009-11-25T04:30:00.000-08:00

Converting an image onto canvas is much easier than you would think. With the invention of digital cameras over the past 10 years it is now possible to blow up your photos larger without losing any of the quality. Just like with a television set a photo has pixels in it. If you get very close to your tv you can see it is made up of tiny little dots (pixels) - it is the same with a photo. The more pixels the better quality the photo. The good thing is with digital cameras is you can pick one up for around £60.00 now days & it is capable of taking some very good quality photos.

The key thing to remember when you are looking for a photo to convert onto canvas is that you leave a good border to be wrapped around the stretcher bars. Stretcher bars are the 4 pieces of wood that make up the frame for the canvas print. They come in various depths the deepest being 1.5 inch. So you don’t really want to be taking a close up of someones face as you could lose some of it round the sides & back. The only way round this is to put a border all the way round the photo so this will be round the sides & then the main focus point of the image (in this case someones face) would be on the front. But this is really defeating the object of a canvas print as the whole point is you wrap some of the image around the frame to give an effect it is coming away from the wall.

So if you take a photo of say your dog in the sea make sure the dog is in the middle of the photo & you don’t zoom in too close to him. This way when you want it put onto canvas the person that does it can wrap round the sea part of the photo while leaving your dog centre of attention.
This Swan print is perfect for a canvas print as there is plenty of the image to wrap around the edge.

However this print of a Duck & Duckling although still perfectly fine to be wrapped around the frame would require a little more work our end to get the image in the right position.

The majority of Landscape & Sunsets images are also normally perfect for canvas prints like this Golden Sunset Print.

Convert Your Personal Images onto Canvas

2009-11-02T04:57:00.000-08:00

One of the most popular ways to show off your photos now days in on a canvas print. Choose Canvas offer the facility on our website to upload your own photos & images to us & we will convert onto your own personal canvas print.

It can be any photo you like but popular choices include a Wedding Day photo, Family Photo, Children, Family pet or a photo from your holiday.

Choose Canvas use only Gallery Depth Stretcher bars. These are the 4 panels of wood that the canvas is wrapped around. Gallery Depth bars are 1.5 inches deep & give that great 3d effect.

Uploading your photos to us is very easy. You simply click on the browse button & then locate the photo on your computer, click 'ok' and it will be sent to our server.

New Prints added to website

2009-10-27T07:32:00.000-07:00

We have added some brand new images to our website over the past week. Some designed by Choose Canvas. All are available to purchase from our online shop www.choosecanvas.com and all the canvas prints are available in either landscape or square shape.

Why not go for a larger canvas print?

Choose Canvas post all our larger art prints via DHL. This means no disruption to posting times during the postal strike & you can expect your canvas to be delivered within 48hr after leaving us.

Anyway to see some of our new prints on the website please click the links below:

Hazy Dawn Landscape Print - http://www.choosecanvas.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_id=330

Orange Cream Abstract Print - http://www.choosecanvas.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=332

Deep Maroon Abstract Print - http://www.choosecanvas.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=331

Red Car Sunset Print - http://www.choosecanvas.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=333

A Splash of Lime Canvas Print - http://www.choosecanvas.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=329

Our Gallery Depth Stretcher Bars

2009-07-17T07:01:00.000-07:00

The stretcher bars that we use at Choose Canvas are Gallery Depth. Stretcher bars are the 4 pieces of wood that the canvas is wrapped round once it has been printed. There are various depths available but we only use the gallery depth ones which are the deepest. This means that all our prints have a real unique 3D effect.

Most canvas prints that are wrapped round thin stretcher bars just look like a normal picture & don’t project that 3D effect that canvas prints are designed for. Canvas prints were designed to stick out from the wall & offer a 3D effect & are not designed to lay flat on the wall.

If you want big, bold, colourful, deep 3D canvas prints then please click here to see our site

Your Summer Holiday Photos on Canvas

2009-07-01T07:08:00.000-07:00

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With Summer finally here many of us will be going on holiday for a week or 2. I’m sure in this day & age that most people will have a digital camera & will fill up their memory card with photos. Why not pick your best one & convert it onto a canvas print.

Our simple to use upload facility enables you to send us your holiday photos with ease.

Keep the memory of your holiday alive with a bright canvas print which you can proudly hang on your wall for ever. You can even combine it with our Lyson Print Guard protection. This will help to protect your canvas print against the natural elements like the sun.
You can view our upload page by clickling here

New 3 Part Canvas Prints added to website

2009-06-16T07:36:00.000-07:00

We have recently added some brand new 3 part canvas prints to our website. These include a New York Skyline Canvas Print, an Australian Beach print and a Times Square print.

3 Part canvas prints can stand out even more than a standard 1 piece print. Although it is only 1 photo divided into 3 equal parts it is still 3 seperate canvas prints that you will see on the wall.

Choose Canvas recommend leaving between 1 inch & 1.5 inches gap between each canvas print to get the best effect. If they are put too close together you loose the effect & may as well just have a regular 1 piece print & if they are too far apart the canvas image will not flow.

We will be adding many more over the coming days so please check back to see the new prints.

Please follow the link to our 3 Part section: http://www.choosecanvas.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=20

Our Legends Section

2009-05-28T04:44:00.000-07:00

Within our Legends category you can find iconic stars of their time. Representing music we have canvas prints of Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix & Bob Marley. As far as films go we have prints of Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Bruce Lee & Robert De Niro to name a few. We have many others & will be adding to our collection shortly.

All of these prints are available in either Portrait or Landscape form & are real eye catchers in any room.

To view our canvas prints of the ‘Legends’ please click here.

Choose Canvas - Canvas Prints

2009-05-12T01:54:00.000-07:00

http://www.choosecanvas.com/

Choose Canvas offer unique eye catching canvas prints at affordable prices. Including Abstract Art, Animals & Wildlife, Cityscapes, Flowers, Landscapes, Legends, Seascapes, Superheroes and 3 & 4 part wall art.

You can even upload your own photos & pictures to us via our Personal Pictures page. Whether it be a wedding photo, holiday photo, a photo of the family pet or anything else that you would like. Send the image to us & we will convert it onto canvas for you.

We offer a variety of size's in either portrait or landscape form. We also offer a Gift Wrap & Personal Message service which is perfect for when buying a canvas print as a gift or present.

When choosing wall art we recommend Choosing Canvas.

To buy this David Beckham Canvas Print please click here

Our Gift Wrap & Personal Message Service

2009-05-05T03:23:00.001-07:00

Choose Canvas offer a unique Gift Wrap & Personal Message service. This is ideal if you are buying the canvas print as a present for a friend or family member. If you will be unable to see them in person then take advantage of our service. For a small additional fee we will gift wrap the canvas print & add a personal message onto a card and include this when we post it.

If you would like to use our Gift Wrap & Personal Message service then you can select this when adding your chosen canvas to the shopping basket. Then just add your personal message into the comments field when completing the check out process. If local to us we may even deliver in person.

You order, We print & gift wrap, We then post direct to the person you require us to.

Please click here to find out more about our Gift Wrap service.

New Prints added to website

2009-04-28T04:05:00.001-07:00

www.choosecanvas.com

Over the past few weeks we have added some new prints to our website. These can be found in our Abstract, Animals & Wildlife, Flowers, Legends, Landscape & Seascapes categories.

All of these canvas prints can either be printed in landscape or square format depending on the requirements.

The new prints include a Stormy Sea’s print, an abstract yellow flower print & a friendship inspired print which can be found in our Animals & Wildlife section

Click here to purchase the canvas print above of stormy seas.

Lyson Print Guard

2009-04-15T07:47:00.001-07:00

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We recommend adding the option of Lyson Print Guard to your canvas print. Lyson Print Guard waterproofs, protects and greatly enhances fade-resistance. Not only does Lyson Print guard protect your canvas print but it has been proven to extend the longivity of the inks and prevent colour shift.

It will protect your canvas to all the elements including sunlight & dust. Canvases never looked so good.

One of the Printers we use - Canon W6400

2009-04-09T07:45:00.001-07:00

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As a complete professional printing solution the compact W6400 delivers quality, high resolution prints no matter what the deadline. This new model features increased usability, compatibility and an ingenious new Canon print driver.

Features

Full bleed photo printing
Fast output – full colour A1 photo in 1.3 min.
High definition – max. 2400 x 1200dpi resolution, UV resistant pigment inks
High capacity, single ink tanks
Small footprint
Compatible with wide range of media
Full network support for Mac and PC(Option)
Interchangeable Photo and Matte Black

The new Canon W6400 combines best in class image reproduction, cost-effective performance and new enhanced technology to offer more powerful productivity and greater business impact than ever before. Increased maximum resolution, an ingenious print delivery system, new print driver and improved usability and compatibility, ensure the W6400 delivers against the tightest deadlines with higher quality. A compact, complete professional printing solution with a small footprint, it will play an invaluable role in building your business.

Get through more work in less timeUnique bi-directional printing is made easy by Canon’s one inch wide high-density print head. Featuring 7,680 nozzles (1,280 per colour) the print head enables high resolution printing over a wide area in a single pass, saving time and ensuring absolute colour stability. And with Canon’s advanced MicroFine droplet Technology™ ejecting more drops, more quickly, print times are accelerated even further.

UV resistant inks ensure lasting imagesFor outdoor media and prints exposed to bright lights, durability is a must. The W6400 uses full-colour, UV static, fade free pigment inks. The result is unsurpassed colour fastness and bright, vivid images that look as good as the original, and stay that way.

Borderless printing brings images to lifeNothing is more impactful than full-bleed printing, especially for photographic work. The W6400 supports fast, mess-free output to all four edges on 10”x12”, 8”x10” and B2 and B3 posters and 6-colour printing process ensures enhanced colour precision and tonal depth. Large capacity ink tanks and continuous ink supply are perfect for extra-long printing and ink tanks can be replaced during printing without affecting print quality.

Productive network support and flexibilityThe W6400 supports both Mac and Windows environments, fitting seamlessly into your network and enhancing its value. With an output plug-in for Adobe Photoshop and HDI Drivers for AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, this new printer offers greater usability. Plus Canon’s NetSpot® Suite software enables integration management of every printer on your network.

http://www.choosecanvas.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=18

ApplicationsDigital images and photographs, Proofs, Storyboards, Presentations, Impositions, Packaging concepts, Concepts & layouts, POD final posters, Computer-created artwork, Reproductions, Photographs/Manipulated photographs, Special sized artwork

How to Stretch Canvas - Part 3

2009-04-03T07:32:00.000-07:00

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Move to the next frame rail (one of the longer ones) and repeat steps 5 and 6. As you do, you will notice a triangular canvas crease as you attach the third side and then a diamond-shaped crease when the fourth tack is attached on the remaining mid-rail.

Now, place temporary tacks at all four corners. Starting with the center of one of the long rails, grip the canvas tightly with the pliers and fasten tacks at 2″ intervals. Repeat with several tacks in both directions (from center) and then switch to the opposite side and repeat this process. Continue working from the center until both long sides are completely tacked down to all but one inch from each corner, stretching the canvas evenly as you proceed.

Once both long sides are finished, remove the temporary tacks that you fastened in step 8. Now repeat the same fastening process for both of the short sides, working out from the centers. For smaller canvases, one entire short side can be fastened first, followed by the opposite side. Larger canvases should be rotated several times to evenly stretch the material over the frame. Note that a primed linen canvas (oil-primed linen, in particular) will normally require that the tacks be placed closer together, due to the limited stretch of this material.

Fold and pleat the corners of the canvas and then neatly wrap them around to the rear of the canvas frame. Keeping tension on the material, tack all of the excess cloth to the rear of the frame so that it is neatly secured. Then place tacks on all four outer corners. This excess material is important to have in case you ever need to restretch or remount the canvas.
Any remaining canvas indentations or ripples can be reduced by moistening the affected area with a damp sponge. Be careful not to saturate, and allow the canvas to dry completely in a well-ventilated area.

Keep in mind that it is easier to stretch primed cotton and Polyflax canvas than it is to mount a primed linen canvas, since linen fibers do not stretch as much. Oil-primed canvas requires the most attention when mounting on a frame because it has virtually no stretch. When working with this type of canvas, you may have to remove tacks in wrinkled sections and then restretch and retack.

By following the above steps and using proper materials and a few tools, you can easily build your own canvas. With a little practice, the process becomes much faster and easier, almost to the point of becoming routine.

Do you like our Marilyn Monroe print? If so please follow the link to purchase: http://www.choosecanvas.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=18&sort=20a&page=2

How to Stretch Canvas - Part 2

2009-03-30T01:59:00.000-07:00

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5. Fold one side of the canvas over one of the shorter frame rails and then attach a canvas tack at the center of the outside edge of that rail.

6. At the opposite side, use canvas pliers (which are similar to regular pliers except they have a broader gripping area) to grip the canvas at mid-rail. It may be helpful for you to set the frame upright while doing this. With a firm grip, pull the canvas until a straight crease is formed to the tacked end. While keeping tension on the canvas, insert another tack at the center edge of the rail, just like the other side. Note that you may also use a staple gun/staples instead of tacks. (The Arrow JT-21 is easy to use.)

7. Move to the next frame rail (one of the longer ones) and repeat steps 5 and 6. As you do, you will notice a triangular canvas crease as you attach the third side and then a diamond-shaped crease when the fourth tack is attached on the remaining mid-rail.

8. Now, place temporary tacks at all four corners. Starting with the center of one of the long rails, grip the canvas tightly with the pliers and fasten tacks at 2″ intervals. Repeat with several tacks in both directions (from center) and then switch to the opposite side and repeat this process. Continue working from the center until both long sides are completely tacked down to all but one inch from each corner, stretching the canvas evenly as you proceed.

Final part to follow shortly

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How to Stretch Canvas - Part 1

2009-03-24T07:56:00.000-07:00

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Stretching your own canvas is fairly easy once you know the procedure and have the proper tools and materials. Note that the canvas referred to below is pre-primed; but you could also use the following procedure with raw canvas and, after it has been stretched, prime it with two coats of acrylic gesso. Please read through all of the instructions first, since certain steps must be prepared for in advance.

First you will need to gather a few tools and materials: canvas pliers, stapler/staples or hammer and tacks, stretcher strips, and canvas. In addition, a T-square is convenient to help you insure that the stretchers are square. Then follow these steps to stretch your canvas:

Select the appropriate-sized stretchers for the canvas you want to build. Your art supply store has a variety of pre-cut wooden frame rails (or stretcher bars) that have interlocking mitered edges.

Once your stretcher frame is assembled on a flat surface, you should verify that it is square. Do this by taking a tape measure and checking that the diagonal distances from both opposing corners are equidistant. (They almost always will be.) If you encounter an offset, you can correct it by attaching a small metal right-angle brace on the inner frame corner. A small plywood right-angle triangle attached to the rear frame corner will also help correct any shift.

For frame rails longer than 36 inches, an interior brace should be inserted between these rails to support them from bowing inward after the canvas has been attached. This will also protect against frame distortion during periods of fluctuating humidity. If this type of support rail did not already come with your pre-cut frame, you should cut a piece of similar wood and attach it with the type of braces detailed in step 2.

Take the canvas and lay the primed side down on a clean, flat surface. Place the frame atop the canvas and then cut away any excess material so that there are two inches of excess canvas bordering the frame on all sides. It is important that you leave this border material because this is what you will use to grip, stretch, and attach the canvas to the frame.

Part 2 of how to stretch canvas to follow shortly.

How to Upload your own photos

2009-03-19T02:56:00.000-07:00

www.choosecanvas.com

Here is a quick tutorial on how to upload your own personal images to us so we can convert onto canvas for you:

1: Create an account with us by clicking on ‘My Account’ at the top of our homepage. Fill in all the fields that are required.

2. Once you have created an account you are then able to upload you photo to us. To do this please click on ‘Personal Photo’s’ under our categories menu on the left hand side.

3. Scroll down & select the shape & size of canvas print you require. Select the lyson print guard or gift wrap service if you require either of these additions. Then where is says ‘Photo Upload’ please click on ‘Browse’.

4. Navigate to the location of the image on your computer & click open.

5. Click ‘Add to Cart’

6. Proceed to complete checkout.

Please click this link to go direct to our upload page:

http://www.choosecanvas.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=46

Mothers Day at Choose Canvas

2009-03-10T02:29:00.000-07:00

http://www.choosecanvas.com/

Mothers Day is fast appoaching & what better way is there to show your love than a canvas print?

Whether it be your own personal photo or a print from one of our categories a canvas print is a perfect gift. Perhaps you have a family photo, or a photo of the family pet or maybe a holiday photo. You can upload them to us via our website & have them on canvas for life.

Why not combine your print with our added option of Lyson Print Guard. Giving your canvas print 2 light coatings with Lyson Print Guard ensures that your canvas will be protected against natural elements such as sunlight, dust & heat.

Choose-Gifts

2009-03-04T02:14:00.000-08:00

http://www.choose-gifts.co.uk/

Choose Canvas are very pleased to announce that our 2nd website is now up & running & 100% live !! Choose-Gifts is your one stop shop for gifts for every occasion.

We specialise in quality character figures & figurines. Our range includes Betty Boop, Disney, Popeye, Mr Bean, Rupert Bear, Winnie the Pooh, The Muppets & Garfield.
Such favourites as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Minnie Mouse, The Chipmunks, Snow White, Kermet the Frog, Cinderella, Goofy, Tigger & Peter Pan are all included in our range.

We also have a brand new range of glass ornaments featuring many of the above characters.

We also offer huge figures aimed more at businesses to stand in their premises. Our favourite is the Chef figure - perfect for a pub, restaurant or cafe.

What would a gift website be without Canvas Prints !! We will be showing a small collection of our prints on the new website to give customers a taster of what we offer.
Another collection that we have available to purchase is quality china cups, plates & bowls all decorated with your favourite cartoon character.

We have only been up & running a very short time so please check back regularly as we have many more products to add over the coming weeks & months.

To see the new website please visit: http://www.choose-gifts.co.uk/
or to read our blog click here: www.choose-gifts.co.uk/blog

2009-02-05T01:40:00.001-08:00

www.choosecanvas.com

Valentines Day is just around the corner so why not buy a canvas print to show your love. Flowers & chocolates are all well & good but they are throw away items which have gone within a fortnight. For the same price you can get your own personal photo converted onto canvas which will last a lifetime.

Sounds so simple when you read it in black & white. Why purchase something that will be gone in 14 days when you can buy something that will last forever for the same price or even less?
Alternivately you can browse through our many categories & prints which include some great for Valentines Day.

Favourite Canvas Prints - Part 2.

2009-02-02T05:32:00.001-08:00

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Following on from my partners list of their favourite canvas prints I thought I had better follow suit. Here is my list:

Abstract Prints: A Sea of Sand, Car Lights & Chocolate Silk.

Animals & Wildlife Prints: Cool & Calm, Serenity & Tropical Fish.

Cityscapes: A Birds Eye View, MIami Vice & Night Lights.

Flower Prints: Bluebell Woods, Host of Red Tulips & Red Berries.

Landscape Prints: Golden Gaze, Sunset & the Sea, Wild Geese.

Legend Prints: Elvis Presley - The King, Marilyn Monroe & Marilyn Monroe - Abstract.

Local to us in Essex: Colchester Castle, Monks Eliegh & Wivenhoe Sailboats.

Seascape Canvas Prints: Flowing Stream, Jersey Lighthouse & Port Isaac, Cornwall.

Superheroes Prints: Batman, Superman & Superman 3D.

Weather Prints: Cloud Waves, Black & White Clouds & Sunrise through the Clouds.

For both of us it was very enjoyable & interesting doing this. Not only did we have a good look through all the canvas prints we have on our website but found out that what we both like in art prints is quite different.

Our favourite Prints.

2009-01-29T07:00:00.000-08:00

www.choosecanvas.com

Just for fun I thought I would have a look through our own website & come up with my 3 favourite prints in each category. Here they are:

Abstract: A Splash of Colour, Make Believe & Luck of the Dice.

Animals & Wildlife: Black & White Cat, Mum & Me & Ugly Ducklings Definitely Not.

Cityscapes: High Time in London, Times Square Taxi & Rush Hour Times Square - Going Home.

Flowers: Yellow Lily, Sunny Sunflower & One Alone.

Landscapes: Golden Sunset, Tree in Stormy Sky & Black & White Lighthouse.

Legends: Audrey Hepburn, Elvis Presley - The King & John Lennon - Montage.

Seascapes: Port Isaac Cornwall, Jersey Lighthouse & Sunset Sailing.

Superheroes: Superman, Superman 3D & Superman - The Original

Weather: Black & White Clouds, Sunrise Through the Clouds & Mauve Lighting.

Later in the week my business partner will list their favourites !!

http://www.choosecanvas.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=19

Sepia Effect

2009-01-26T02:21:00.000-08:00

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Over our next few blog posts we will be writing about all the different effects that be added to canvas prints now days. Whether it be a simple black & white effect, sepia or a blurred effect all can add to your canvas print.

First up is the Sepia effect.

Sepia effects are particurly effective when used on portraits or on photos of towns & villages. The sepia effect is one of the oldest around yet it is still pretty much the most popular. On canvas prints it can give a real touch of class & will make your print look that much more unique. In short a Sepia effect will make your print look like it was made in the 1930’s, 40’s or 50’s.

You can use any number of programmes now days to get the desired effect that you are looking for. Whether it be an expensive top of the market programme or a free online tool both will get the job done. But obviously you get what you pay for.

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How do we package our canvases?

2009-01-19T06:37:00.000-08:00

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If you have decided to purchase a canvas you obviously want it to arrive at your front door in perfect condition. This is why we use 2 part telescopic boxes to protect our canvases.

Telescopic boxes are made especially for the safe delivery of canvases & picture frames. We have 3 different sizes: Small, Medium & Large. After printing and assembling your canvas onto the stretcher bars we will then choose the best size box for your print & place inside.

We also bubble wrap your canvas many times & then add even more bubble wrap inside the box for extra protection.

Finally we add strong tape around the box to make extra safe & then write ‘Fragile’ on the box so the delivery company know to handle with care.

All the above precautions mean that you have piece of mind that your canvas will arrive at your front door in exactly the same condition as when it left us.

http://www.choosecanvas.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=7

Canvas buying tips

2009-01-14T07:11:00.000-08:00

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When buying a canvas print the biggest problem is choosing the 1 out of a huge selection that you like. You can literally put any picture or photo in the world onto canvas. So when we say there is a huge selection we mean it.

A bright & bold print can bring a dull room to life in an instance. But likewise a simple abstract or black & white print can give a dull room a touch of class & still bring the room to life.
All our prints look great on a white or light beige colour wall. However they also look fantastic in bars & restaurants - a lot of which have wooden based walls.

Our number 1 tip when buying a canvas is: Make sure YOU like it. If the canvas is going in your house or premises then as long as you like it nothing else matters.

http://www.choosecanvas.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=5

Come & see our prints in person

2009-01-06T07:25:00.000-08:00

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If you like the look of our canvas prints then if you live local to us you can now view some of them in person. Flowerscenta in Long Melford, Suffolk now have many of our prints for sale in their shop. Flowerscenta currently have mainly Flowers, Animals & Abstract canvases on display but the shop owners can always help you if you require something else. You can either purchase the print you like from Flowerscenta but we would rather you let Flowerscenta contact us & we will print you a fresh new canvas & then either post or deliver directly to you.

http://www.choosecanvas.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=18

New Black & White Canvases added to Website

2008-12-15T03:23:00.001-08:00

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We have recently added some new Black & White canvas prints to our website. We never realised how popular they are until recently. After a number of requests we have now added some black & white prints to our Cityscapes & Landscapes categories. These include prints of the New York City skyline & the Brooklyn Bridge but there are many others & we plan on adding even more shortly.

http://www.choosecanvas.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=217

Customers Photo Submission

2008-12-09T03:53:00.000-08:00

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Late last week we were very pleased to receive a couple of photos from a customer showing the canvas prints we did for them on their wall. We have included the photos below. The first photo shows our Jersey Lighthouse print which can be found here: http://www.choosecanvas.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7&products_id=174

The 2nd picture shows the print entitled ‘ Floating ‘ which shows 2 water lilies on the water. This print can be found in our Flowers section here: http://www.choosecanvas.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=4

What Stretcher Bars do we use?

2008-12-01T07:35:00.000-08:00

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Choosecanvas use only top grade 1.5 inch wide gallery stretcher bars (the wooden frame over which the canvas is placed).
The stretcher bars are made from light but very strong pine wood with male/female joints at each end to guarantee a perfect fit.
Our canvases come complete with corner wedges for maximum stretch.

Over time canvases naturally may sag a little. Should this happen tapping the wedges lightly with a small hammer will retighten the canvas.
This procedure can be repeated as necessary, to keep your prints ultra tight.

http://www.choosecanvas.com/blog/?page_id=6

Choose Canvas at Christmas

2008-11-25T02:40:00.001-08:00

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Light up a loved ones Christmas this year with a canvas print. We recommend using our Personal Photo on canvas service.

Upload a personal photo to us via our website & we will convert onto canvas for you. Whether it be a photo of the grandchildren for the grandparents or a photo of the children for the parents it will certainly make someone happy this Christmas. Maybe you have a photo of the whole family that you would like on canvas to show the world. If you are an animal lover why not upload your pet photos. Do you have a holiday snap that reminds you of a great week of your life?
Send it to us & you can have it on the wall forever.

We also offer a Gift Wrap & Personal Message service. If you unable to see a loved one at Christmas then you can choose this service and we will post the canvas directly to the person you tell us to. We will then include a message card with your personal message on it.

What canvas do we use?

2008-11-18T07:27:00.000-08:00

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We use a top grade canvas with a water resistant property. This means all our canvas’s offer vivid color, high resolution & excellent lightfast and anti-aging properties. The special coating on the canvas enables prints to be stretched without any cracking which means a longer life for your canvas.

Canvas Specification:

- 100% Cotton- 380gsm

- Water Resistent Matt Finish

- Whiteness - more than 90%

- Opacity - more than 85%

- Tested at 720, 1440 and 2880 dpi

The key point from above is the 380gsm. This effectively means we use a thick canvas which is higher in quality, can be pulled tighter around the stretcher bars & thus will last longer.

http://www.choosecanvas.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=4

How to make your own stretcher bars

2008-11-15T07:47:00.000-08:00

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You can use materials and tools that anyone can find at their local hardware store, and often make large canvases for a tiny fraction of the price that it would cost you to buy them already made.
The inner frame, or structure, of every canvas is created out of 1×2 wood, and quarter-round trim.

Once decided on what size to create the canvas, you should cut four pieces of 1×2s (one for each side of the canvas), with 45 degree angles at each end.
You can use a miter box and hand saw, or power tools - either way works just fine. The most important thing is to make good, equal, 45 degree cuts at each end so that the wood fits together properly at the corners.

One cut of the saw actually creates an entire corner, as you can see in the picture to the left. All you need to use is a simple hand-powered staple gun to secure the corners together, and usually place 3 staples on both front and back of the joint. With 6 staples fastening each corner, the entire frame becomes very strong and rigid.

Once all four corners are stapled the frame might look complete, but it’s really not. When stretching canvas, it’s important to keep it raised off of the frame; which is why it is important to go to the trouble of cutting quarter-round trim pieces as well, to make a lip, or edge, that runs along the entire outside border of the frame.

You can cut the trim pieces with whatever tool you used on the other pieces of wood. However, it may be easier to use the miter box instead of a power tool, since the trim pieces are so thin. If you do use a power saw, brace the trim piece with another piece of wood so that your fingers don’t have to be anywhere close to the blade when cutting.

Unlike the 1×2s, a single cut with the saw does not make a perfect corner out of two trim pieces. It will always be necessary to take one piece back and cut off another small amount to get the right angle. Its best to lay a long piece down and mark just once where the next cut is, and then repeat that process again and again. Cutting all at once doesn’t usually work out well since the angles to cut on the quarter-rounds are trickier than on the 1×2s.

To create a raised lip or edge, you’ll need to place one flat side of the quarter-round against the stretcher bars, and the other flat side facing outward. The curved length of the quarter-rounds should be facing inward toward the center of the frame.

Now all that’s needed is to fasten the quarter-rounds permanently in place. Nail them to the frame with headless nails. The ones I recommend come in a package labeled “wire brads” but finishing nails would work as well.

Make sure to buy nails that are no longer than the width of your quarter-round and 1×2 combined, and space them along the trim pieces about every 4 inches, or until it’s solidly in place.

When the entire frame is finished, it’s time to start stretching the canvas. All you need is a square or rectangular piece of canvas a little larger than the size of your stretcher bars, and the same staple gun used on the corners of the frame.

Because of the depth, the entire front face of your canvas will have the same feeling, from the center to the edge.

Although there are other solutions for making canvases, this is how to make home made ones.

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4 Part Canvases to be added to Website shortly.

2008-11-10T05:08:00.000-08:00

We will shortly be adding some 4 part canvases to the website. These will mainly be found in the abstract section but may also be added to other sections in the future. 4 part abstract prints will look great in any room or setting. Whether it be at home, in an office or a bar/restaurant. Eye catching yet simple.

Canon W6400 Large Format Printer

2008-11-03T02:33:00.000-08:00

http://www.choosecanvas.com/

As a complete professional printing solution the compact W6400 delivers quality, high resolution prints no matter what the deadline. This new model features increased usability, compatibility and an ingenious new Canon print driver. Features

Full bleed photo printing Fast output – full colour A1 photo in 1.3 min. High definition – max. 2400 x 1200dpi resolution, UV resistant pigment inks High capacity, single ink tanks Small footprint Compatible with wide range of media Full network support for Mac and PC(Option) Interchangeable Photo and Matte Black The new Canon W6400 combines best in class image reproduction, cost-effective performance and new enhanced technology to offer more powerful productivity and greater business impact than ever before. Increased maximum resolution, an ingenious print delivery system, new print driver and improved usability and compatibility, ensure the W6400 delivers against the tightest deadlines with higher quality. A compact, complete professional printing solution with a small footprint, it will play an invaluable role in building your business.

Get through more work in less timeUnique bi-directional printing is made easy by Canon’s one inch wide high-density print head. Featuring 7,680 nozzles (1,280 per colour) the print head enables high resolution printing over a wide area in a single pass, saving time and ensuring absolute colour stability. And with Canon’s advanced MicroFine droplet Technology™ ejecting more drops, more quickly, print times are accelerated even further.

UV resistant inks ensure lasting imagesFor outdoor media and prints exposed to bright lights, durability is a must. The W6400 uses full-colour, UV static, fade free pigment inks. The result is unsurpassed colour fastness and bright, vivid images that look as good as the original, and stay that way.

Borderless printing brings images to lifeNothing is more impactful than full-bleed printing, especially for photographic work. The W6400 supports fast, mess-free output to all four edges on 10”x12”, 8”x10” and B2 and B3 posters and 6-colour printing process ensures enhanced colour precision and tonal depth. Large capacity ink tanks and continuous ink supply are perfect for extra-long printing and ink tanks can be replaced during printing without affecting print quality.

Productive network support and flexibilityThe W6400 supports both Mac and Windows environments, fitting seamlessly into your network and enhancing its value. With an output plug-in for Adobe Photoshop and HDI Drivers for AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, this new printer offers greater usability. Plus Canon’s NetSpot® Suite software enables integration management of every printer on your network.

New Category added to website - Local to us in Essex

2008-10-29T05:28:00.000-07:00

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We have recently added a new category to our website titled ‘Local to us in Essex’. Here you will find various images taken local to us around Essex, Suffolk & Norfolk. All photos were taken by our in house photographer & locations include Colchester, Wivenhoe, Mersey Island & the river Colne.

One of our most popular is the print of Colchester Castle in the evening sun light.
All these images are available in either rectangular or square prints & are available in many different sizes.

We will be updating this category on a regular basis if we can persuede our in house photographer to venture out into the cold now we are heading into winter !!

Please click the link below to visit the Local to us in Essex Category:

http://www.choosecanvas.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=19

Canvas Concerns - Storing and Delivery

2008-10-27T08:19:00.000-07:00

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http://www.choosecanvas.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7&products_id=173

What is the best way to store unprimed canvas? Or primed canvas? How should one store stretched canvas? What is the best way to ship a stretched canvas? How does one preserve and store canvas that has been removed from its stretcher bars? In order to protect this important and essential art material, as well as your finished paintings, read on.

Canvas is a very strong material. Usually made of all cotton, cotton and linen, or linen, it can be woven in any texture from smooth to nubby. Newer synthetic fibers have been introduced as well, and these add strength of a different sort to the basic natural fiber content. Synthetic fibers resist rot and decay far more readily than natural cotton or linen. This quality makes synthetic “canvas” a good candidate for exterior display.

Cotton, linen or synthetic canvas can be purchased either primed (usually with a high quality acrylic primer) or unprimed. Artists who have developed their own formula for underpainting ground or who do not want the surface sealed use the unprimed surface. Many acrylic painters love the near watercolor effects of using unprimed canvas. Both primed and unprimed canvas should be stored away from strong direct light or exposure to moisture. Light will destroy canvas just as it does any form of fabric. Primed is slightly less susceptible to light damage, but UV contact should be limited whenever possible, whether primed or unprimed. Ideally, canvas should be rolled around a firm center and covered to protect the roll from dirt and grime (and UV).

Stretched canvas should be stored standing upright along one edge. Multiples should be stored in such a way as to prevent abrasion of the next canvas. One way to accomplish this is to stack the first two back-to-back, in pairs. Then fronts contact only fronts and backs contact only backs. Standing in some sort of rack can best facilitate this. Storing one on top of the other in a stack will promote warping of the stretcher bars and also creates a situation where objects could fall onto a painting and cause damage or possible rips.

Delivering a stretched canvas requires one of several options to be exercised. First and most chosen is the procedure of wrapping the (dry) painting in soft foam sheeting and then packing in a heavy cardboard carton. Delivery/storage companies offer several choices in heavy corrugated boxes. Choose one that is at least 6″ larger on all sides than the painting (including the thickness of the art). Fill all areas around the painting with foam sheets, making sure there is no room for the painting to slip or move during transport.

Crates can be built (either by you or a freight company) for Delivering ornate, oversized, or extremely valuable artworks. These crates resemble what you might expect a giant piece of heavy machinery to be shipped in. The sheer size and proportions of the crate make it an expensive option, but one that might be necessary for some works.

Paintings purchased at times when crating is impractical (such as when traveling), can be removed from their stretcher bars for Delivering. This makes the size (and the cost) smaller and more manageable. To remove the tacks or staples from the stretcher bars, use a sharp instrument such as the tine of a screwdriver or a pocketknife and a pair of pliers. Gently lift the tack or staple up, and then grip it with pliers. Remove all tacks or staples. Cover the painting with a soft cloth or smooth paper and carefully roll the painting to fit a large, heavy mailing tube. Avoid rolling too tightly. Pad each end of the tube so that the edges will be protected from crushing. It is sometimes possible to reuse the stretcher bars, so they might be collapsed and shipped with the canvas. Ship stretcher bars in a separate package or tube, as they could cause creasing or other damage if shipped inside the tube with the painting.

Rolled, painted canvases should be unrolled and re-stretched as soon as possible. The simple act of rolling a painting, even though the surface is somewhat flexible, could cause cracking or other damage; and the longer it stays rolled, the more likely damage is to occur. If you are unsure how to re-stretch the canvas (and there is a special technique to stretching) consult a professional framer who will be able to re-stretch the work for a nominal fee.

Proper storage of artworks, especially stretched canvases, is vital to their long life. If stretched canvases are exposed to prolonged periods of high humidity (such as a warehouse or garage storage facility that is not air conditioned), severe warping of the stretchers can occur. That is the most immediate and obvious damage. Humidity creeps into the painting and penetrates between the painted surface and the canvas onto which it is painted. Cracks and crazing are the end result. When examined closely, these cracks (caused by excessive humidity) go all the way through the painting, right to the canvas core. It may take many months for the extent of the damage to become visible, but by that time the damage is already done. Correction can be made by a conservator, but at a very high cost.

As you can see, by taking just a few simple precautions in the storage and shipment of canvases, you can save yourself lots of time, disappointment and money.

Choose Canvas - How to Stretch Canvas

2008-10-21T01:46:00.000-07:00

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Stretching your own canvas is fairly easy once you know the procedure and have the proper tools and materials. Note that the canvas referred to below is pre-primed; but you could also use the following procedure with raw canvas and, after it has been stretched, prime it with two coats of acrylic gesso. Please read through all of the instructions first, since certain steps must be prepared for in advance.

First you will need to gather a few tools and materials: canvas pliers, stapler/staples or hammer and tacks, stretcher strips, and canvas. In addition, a T-square is convenient to help you insure that the stretchers are square. Then follow these steps to stretch your canvas:

Select the appropriate-sized stretchers for the canvas you want to build. Your art supply store has a variety of pre-cut wooden frame rails (or stretcher bars) that have interlocking mitered edges.
Once your stretcher frame is assembled on a flat surface, you should verify that it is square. Do this by taking a tape measure and checking that the diagonal distances from both opposing corners are equidistant. (They almost always will be.) If you encounter an offset, you can correct it by attaching a small metal right-angle brace on the inner frame corner. A small plywood right-angle triangle attached to the rear frame corner will also help correct any shift.

For frame rails longer than 36 inches, an interior brace should be inserted between these rails to support them from bowing inward after the canvas has been attached. This will also protect against frame distortion during periods of fluctuating humidity. If this type of support rail did not already come with your pre-cut frame, you should cut a piece of similar wood and attach it with the type of braces detailed in step 2.

Take the canvas and lay the primed side down on a clean, flat surface. Place the frame atop the canvas and then cut away any excess material so that there are two inches of excess canvas bordering the frame on all sides. It is important that you leave this border material because this is what you will use to grip, stretch, and attach the canvas to the frame.
Fold one side of the canvas over one of the shorter frame rails and then attach a canvas tack at the center of the outside edge of that rail.

At the opposite side, use canvas pliers (which are similar to regular pliers except they have a broader gripping area) to grip the canvas at mid-rail. It may be helpful for you to set the frame upright while doing this. With a firm grip, pull the canvas until a straight crease is formed to the tacked end. While keeping tension on the canvas, insert another tack at the center edge of the rail, just like the other side. Note that you may also use a staple gun/staples instead of tacks. (The Arrow JT-21 is easy to use.)

Move to the next frame rail (one of the longer ones) and repeat steps 5 and 6. As you do, you will notice a triangular canvas crease as you attach the third side and then a diamond-shaped crease when the fourth tack is attached on the remaining mid-rail.

Now, place temporary tacks at all four corners. Starting with the center of one of the long rails, grip the canvas tightly with the pliers and fasten tacks at 2″ intervals. Repeat with several tacks in both directions (from center) and then switch to the opposite side and repeat this process. Continue working from the center until both long sides are completely tacked down to all but one inch from each corner, stretching the canvas evenly as you proceed.

Once both long sides are finished, remove the temporary tacks that you fastened in step 8. Now repeat the same fastening process for both of the short sides, working out from the centers. For smaller canvases, one entire short side can be fastened first, followed by the opposite side. Larger canvases should be rotated several times to evenly stretch the material over the frame. Note that a primed linen canvas (oil-primed linen, in particular) will normally require that the tacks be placed closer together, due to the limited stretch of this material.

Fold and pleat the corners of the canvas and then neatly wrap them around to the rear of the canvas frame. Keeping tension on the material, tack all of the excess cloth to the rear of the frame so that it is neatly secured. Then place tacks on all four outer corners. This excess material is important to have in case you ever need to restretch or remount the canvas.
Any remaining canvas indentations or ripples can be reduced by moistening the affected area with a damp sponge. Be careful not to saturate, and allow the canvas to dry completely in a well-ventilated area.

Keep in mind that it is easier to stretch primed cotton and Polyflax canvas than it is to mount a primed linen canvas, since linen fibers do not stretch as much. Oil-primed canvas requires the most attention when mounting on a frame because it has virtually no stretch. When working with this type of canvas, you may have to remove tacks in wrinkled sections and then restretch and retack.

By following the above steps and using proper materials and a few tools, you can easily build your own canvas. With a little practice, the process becomes much faster and easier, almost to the point of becoming routine.

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Choose Canvas - We're now up & running !!!

2008-09-25T03:40:00.000-07:00

Choose Canvas are now finally up & running in the big bad world of the Internet.

A quick introduction as to what we do:

We print canvas's - Which are those pretty eye catching square & rectangle shape things you see on a lot of people's walls now days.

The difference between Canvas Prints & any other from of picture is the unique 3D effect you get. This is made possible by wrapping the canvas round Stretcher Bars which gives the 3D effect.

We offer various prints from breathtaking landscapes & cityscapes through to heartwarming animals prints & eye catching abstract prints.

We offer FREE DELIVERY on EVERY canvas !!!!!

For more information please visit www.choosecanvas.com