PIXMA PRO-200 - Canvas Printing

[lauraF]

I've been printing art prints on Premium Matte Pro paper and varnishing with Hahnemuhle and mounting in floater frame, like it's done with canvas prints.  I use Glamour 2 diluted as adhesive.  While the quality is gorgeous, the product is too fragile for this application.  I'm interested in making prints on canvas assuming it can be more durable displayed without glass..  Does Canon provide the best "paper" for this?  Is there anything I need to know about mounting or varnishing?

[dakotakid]

You might take a look at Breathing Color Crystalline Canvas. It comes "pre-varnished" in sheets and rolls. 

[canonsky]

lauraF,

Premium Matte Pro is fine but quite thin.  Why not try a heavier weight paper, like those made by Hahnemühle or Canson? There may be others as well.  For example,  Hahnemühle makes a paper called William Turner, it is Matte, grainy and 310 gsm weight.  And there are Japanese papers from Awagami that are sold in the U.S., if you live there.

[lauraF]

Are these INKJET papers?  printing on watercolor paper is ideal, but the ink just soaks in and looks extremely faded and unattractive (I tried printing directly onto watercolor card stock. Thank you for your response!   

[lauraF]

I am very enthused about the sound of this!!  Can't wait to try that, never heard of it after extensive online searches for printing onto canvas. Odd....Thank you

[dakotakid · Accepted solution]

Yes, they are inkjet paper. Hahnemule makes good paper. You can also find good sheets at Moab and Red River Paper. 

[lauraF]

I'm sure the paper is much better and I will try it.  I do wonder if that would equate to a more scratch resistant surface?  On my paper originals, I slather on a spray varnish.  With the prints, just 2 coats of Hahnemuhle as directed.  I tried a coat of matte varnish l use on the original paper and it got very cloudy.  A stronger surface is needed, whether its paper thin or thick, canvas, or a varnish.  

[dakotakid · Accepted solution]

Inkjet surfaces by their nature are fairly fragile. You are better off matting and framing under glass. Coating with varnish will help alleviate scuffing, but if the prints are displayed where they can get damaged, they probably will, even with a spray.