If you’re used to traditional paper prints, and need some ideas on how to display canvas prints, you’ve come to the right place! All of our canvas prints are stretched onto hardwood stretcher bars. Stretched canvas prints can still be framed, but unlike paper prints, they don’t need to be. In this article, we’ll go over some of the options for displaying canvas prints and offer some tips for successful installation.
Framing Canvas Prints
Stretched canvas prints don’t necessarily need to be framed, but they still can be if that’s the aesthetic you prefer. An important thing to note when framing stretched canvas is that the frame will need to be deeper, or stand off the wall further than framed paper prints, to accommodate the depth of the stretcher bars.
Displaying Unframed Canvas Prints
Stretched canvas prints are ready to hang on the wall as-is! If you are ordering a stretched canvas print from Old Town Print Gallery it will come with hanging wire already attached, all you need to do is instal hardware in your wall and you’re good to go! All of our prints are stretched onto 1.5” stretcher bar frames, with a printed black side wrapping around the edge of the bars.
Stretched canvas prints have a similiar appearance to paintings on canvas, and offer a unique, modern decor option.
Varnish Protects the Print Surface
A large part of the reason canvas prints don’t need to be framed is because of the varnish that protects their surface. While the surface of fine art matte papers is quite delicate, and needs to be covered with glass to keep it safe, archival varnish protects the surface of canvas prints. We use a satin, or semi-gloss, varnish on all of our canvas prints. This helps to deepen the richness of the colors without adding a overly shiny finish that can cause glare depending on your lighting setup.
The varnished surface of canvas prints also makes maintenance a breeze. To remove any dust that may have built up, simply wipe the canvas gently with a lightly damp cloth. Just remember to always use water (distilled if you have it!) rather than cleaning sprays.
Where to Hang Your Canvas Prints
Canvas prints make a great addition to the decor of any room! They can be displayed just about anywhere in your home or office. The only room we’d suggest avoiding is the bathroom, as repeated changes in temperature and humidity from the shower may cause the stretched canvas to slacken over time.
Living Room Centerpieces
Canvas prints can make great centerpieces in your living room. The living room tends to be the room with the largest open walls in homes, making it the perfect place for a standout piece. Displaying a large canvas print on the wall above your couch is a great option for creating an eye-catching, conversation starting centerpiece. Its central location will make it easily viewable to anyone who visits your home, and a large canvas print from Old Town Print Gallery is sure to make an impression!
Unique Bedroom Decor
You can also consider the bedroom when deciding where to display your canvas prints. If you have a large space to fill, but don’t like the look of very large canvas prints, you could consider creating a gallery wall! Gallery walls are a unique way to display multiple pieces on the same wall. You can mix and match sizes and styles to create a display that’s unique to you. Canvas prints can be mixed with traditionally framed paper prints, as well as other wall decor items.
Tips for Hanging Your Canvas Prints
When hanging your canvas prints, there’s a couple key points to consider to make sure your installation is successful. The last thing you want after investing in a beautiful canvas print is to have it fall off the wall and get damaged, so make sure you take the time to properly plan out the best way to hang your prints!
Use Strong Hanging Hardware
The most important thing to consider when hanging canvas prints is the hardware you will use. There are many options and types of hanging hardware for different situations, such as hanging in drywall, wooden studs, metal studs, and more. You want to make sure you’re getting the right type of hardware to ensure it will stay securely in your wall.
Secondly, make sure you check the weight rating of your hardware. Choosing the right type of hook alone won’t keep your canvas on the wall if it is rated to hold less weight than your print weighs. When in doubt, we always suggest going with a higher weight rating than necessary. You can never be too careful, especially if you are hanging prints somewhere like above a bed, where you really wouldn’t them to fall down!
Hardware rated for higher weights are often larger, and can create larger holes when installed in your walls. While that can be a downside for many, consider how much larger of a hole would be created by an inadequate hook ripping out of the wall. It’s really better to be safe than sorry in this case.
Hang at Eye Level
This one is a little more flexible, but the majority of the time, you’ll want to hang your canvas prints at eye level for ideal viewing. Different sources will offer different exact numbers, but most commonly, eye level is considered to be between 60”-64”, meaning that the center of your canvas print should be that height. We would recommend following this guideline anytime you’re hanging a print on the wall with no major furniture underneath it.
If you are hanging your canvas print above large furniture, such as a couch or bed, you may need to adjust from the eye level recommendation. Often times this means hanging a bit higher than eye level to ensure there is a enough breathing room between your furniture and your canvas prints. For example, if hanging at eye level would mean the bottom of your print is only a few inches above the top of your couch, it’s going to look cramped and awkward. Instead, hanging the print a little bit higher to give it the space it needs to breathe.