Stretching Canvas Prints

Has anyone ever tried this? If so, any tips???? I have someone making some frames for me and thought I might try it.

It seems that canvas used for digital printing is prone to sagging soon after stretching. In the framing industry this is a well known problem (by most high end preservation type shops any way)
After numerous issues with my own canvas prints sagging (using several different high quality brands) I have resorted to mounting them on a substrate like foam core or even 8 ply mats and then framing like usual for canvas. I have even done this for gallery wraps, it works beautifully and you don't have to worry about sagging ever again.
Google "stretched canvas photos sagging" and you'll see many threads about this.
Here are a few links from the framing industry viewpoint:
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum ... opic=22916

http://www.pictureframingmagazine.com/W ... _1008.html

The second one is pretty in depth but has some good info.

Randy thanks for your detailed reply and all the valuable information. I will check out all your links before I attempt a canvas.

Jackie,

We stetch canvas iklet prints all the time and while some do sag as conditions change (humidity, temperature etc.) it can be largely eliminated or reduced greatly by following the right steps. First be sure that you have the correct sized bars whether you are using one of the new perfect stretch systems or a traditional tongue in groove bar. Secondly, any print over 20 inches in length needs to have a support bar in the middle to maintain tension. Lastly be sure that the print is not secured only by tape (used mostly on the perfect stretch systems) but also stapled tightly on the back. Finally we use a shrinking fluid (basically just alcohol and water mixture) sprayed lightly on the back and then get the fluid to evaporate quickly by applying heat, usually with a heat gun or by setting it in the sun of a window. Doing this before it is shipped and ensuring that it is drum tight really helps it temper into it's new environment.

Painters have the same issue (it is not just inkjet canvas) but the paint drying on the surface helps to pull the canvas tighter as the paint cures and ages. We don't have that advantage with inkjet. Using the stretching fluid on a saggin canvas after it is stretched can help tighten it too. For what it's worth, I don't like to stretch framed canvas' but instead mount them as Randy mentioned. I only stretch gallery wraps.

Thanks for your advice Les. What are perfect stretch systems? We don't seem to have much up here in Canada.

This is an examp[le of one. Several different companies have them now. They work pretty well and we use something similar that we actually developed ourselves using these as a guide. I will never hand stretch ever again!!

http://www.breathingcolor.com/action/bc_shop/196/

This is similar to a product that Ilford puts out, but their's is much more expensive. I will check them out. I have heard stretching is really hard. Anyways thanks for the link.