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Canvas Transfers
|  | Canvas transfer is the practice of transferring resin-coated photos, fiber-based photos and prints to canvas. It is a process that is gaining in popularity with the potential to be one of the most profitable and creative techniques a framer can offer. Canvas transfer is profitable because the materials are very economical, the process requires minimum time, it works in any mounting press and the end result is considered a high-end application. Creatively, a number of artistic interpretations can be used, including brush stroking, stretching onto a frame similar to real canvas and mounting onto foam board for a rigid, yet thin transfer for framing into a narrower rabbet.
Materials Needed:
Expression® Finish Guard™ UV Satin-Matte or Lustre Laminating Film (perforated)
Expression® CanvasMount™ fabric
Sponge Foam Overlay
Release paper
Resin-coated photo
Process:- Turn on your press and set the temperature. If using a mechanical press, set the temperature to 225°F. If using a vacuum press, set the temperature to 215°F
- For non-porous photos, the laminate must be perforated prior to laminating to allow all the air to be compressed from between the otherwise non-porous layers. To perforate the film, lay the film face up on a self-healing mat or scrap of mat board. Roll the perforator lightly across the film face in a crisscross pattern, making certain the perforations are about 1/4" apart. The weight of the tool is enough to puncture the film.
- Cut the required materials for the transfer larger than the photo or print. If planning to stretch onto bars, allow an additional 1-1/2" to 2" border of CanvasMount™ around the edges of the photo. If mounting to a rigid foam board, materials may be cut closer to the size of the original photo. Cut the Finish Guard™ laminating film 1/4" larger than the canvas fabric to prevent adhesive from sticking to the overlay.
- Lay the perforated laminate face up. Gently peel back the film from the release liner backing. Center the photo face up between the film (on the top) and liner (below). The correct order for the mounting package, top to bottom, is: release paper; overlay foam; laminate/photo sandwich; and release paper.
Note: When using a vacuum press, D&K recommends a piece of release board as a base layer to improve laminating results. - For a mechanical press, we recommend a dwell time of 7-10 minutes for an average resin-coated 8x10 photo. For a vacuum press, we recommend a dwell time of 8-10 minutes. Larger photos, such as 11x14s may take up to 15 minutes. Dwell time varies depending on relative humidity, size and thickness of photograph and type of laminating film using
- Laminating is complete when the image is clearly visible under the laminate and the laminating film is smooth with no bubbles or shiny spots.
- Remove the laminated photo from the press.
- Lay the image on a flat surface. Begin stripping the emulsion by peeling the back corner of the laminate 180°F apart from the resin-coated (RC) photo backing paper. This will leave a thin decal of the surface print.
Tip: The key is to pull with slow, consistent pressure. This part of the process may take some practice. - Lay the CanvasMount fabric face up on a table and peel back the top 2" to expose the sticky adhesive. Square-up and align the decal, beginning at the bottom of the image, and gently tack it in place. Removing the remaining release liner from beneath the photo decal, smoothing it down with your free hand as you go.
- Lay a piece of sponge foam overlay on the face of the photo/canvas unit. Place it into a release envelope and then the press for a minimum of 5 minutes, but no more than 10 minutes. Larger prints may take up to 15 minutes, depending on the materials used. Remove from the press.
- Stretch the canvas over a suitable frame or mount the canvas to a 3/16"-thick piece of Foam Board.
Tips and Tricks:- VACUUM PRESS VARIABLES: Transferring in a vacuum press requires several variations on the basic process. First, place a rigid board stiffener beneath the release paper to protect the soft substrate from possible wrinkles in the rubber diaphragm. Next, follow the two-temperature method of mounting non-porous and perforated projects. That is, heat the press to 190ºF. Place the perforated laminate/photo unit in the press and turn the temperature up to 220ºF. Leave the unit in the press for 15 minutes. While the temperature rises to the required laminating temperature, the air is compressed from the project and it melts closed as above. Finally, peel the emulsion/laminate apart from the resin-coated photo backing paper. Align the decal onto the CanvasMount and position the overlay foam on top. Place in the press at the higher temperature--220ºF--for five minutes. The end result will be identical to the mechanical press process.
- PHOTOGRAPHS vs. PRINTS: The transfer of prints requires several variations from the transfer of photos, primarily because of the differences between the inked paper facing of prints and the tough photo emulsion. First, the laminate needs no perforation if the paper is truly porous. Second, laminate the print/laminate sandwich at the higher 220ºF. Next, after removing the laminate liner, submerge the paper in water, print face up, for a full 15 minutes. This will soften the paper backing. Lay the soaked print face up on a clean countertop or on glass. Roll the surface laminated sheet, beginning at the corner at 180º, until the decal is removed. Always remove the print face up from the paper, never face down. Align the decal onto canvas and mount as described above.
- PRICING AND PROFITS: Because of the highly professional and creative end-result, canvas transfer can represent a very specialized and profitable part of a framing business. For example, a basic transfer averages $1.50 per united inch. Stretching can add another $.50 per united inch, with brush texturing with acrylic gels adding a $1.00 or more, depending upon the detailing. The addition of molding, a linen liner and fitting charges can increase the price to $5.00 per united inch or more.
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