PRE-PRINTING INK JET CANVAS COATINGS

There are a variety of coatings - also called finishes, not to be confused with the finish added after the image has been printed - and treatments that can be applied to the canvas in preparation for the printing process. Each one has a different effect, either visually or in contribution to the longevity of the finished piece.

Matte: A matte coating results in a more muted white tint due to the lack of light reflecting of of it. It will reduce the amount of glare on the final image, and is a common choice for fine art reproductions or pieces that will be hung where reflected light could lessen the impact. The downside of a matte coating is that it can dull the colors of the artwork. This is because light is scattered rather than reflected off the surface. As a result, a matte coating may not be ideal for a brightly colored image. However, adding a gloss finish on top of a matte canvas can counteract this dullness.

Satin/Lustre: This coating provides a brighter finish to bold artworks, but still minimizes the glare from light reflecting off the surface. It creates an appearance somewhere between a matte and gloss coating.

Gloss: Gloss coatings are most common for canvases used in solvent printers, rather than Ink Jet. When a glossy print is stretched (as many printed on Ink Jet printers are), it runs the risk of cracking when the fibers expand. This can be prevented by adding a finish, but there are certain canvas manufacturers who sell gloss canvas guaranteed not to crack even when unfinished.

In addition to these coatings, manufacturers may add other treatments to the inkjet canvas. These can include OBAs (optical brightening agents), which make the canvas a brighter white, minimizing the natural cream or beige of the fabric. Other additives may boost color quality, improve the stability for an archival-grade rating, make the canvas more receptive to the ink.