CANVAS PRINT COATINGS

At KeenART Media, we offer three different coatings for your Giclée canvas print. This selection gives you greater control over the final outcome of your artwork, and is an exciting way to vary the appearance of the art on your walls. Our three canvas print coatings: Standard ClearShield coating Resin coating Gel Embellishment Each option creates a very different finish on the surface of your print. Read on to learn about each coating in depth. You'll be well informed to select the best finish for your canvas print.

CLEARSHIELD

Our popular, standard finish is ClearShield Canvas Guard, a common coating for Giclée canvas prints. This protective, flexible spray or roll on coating is applied to the canvas prior to stretching, and features a number of qualities that ensure your artwork stays as good as new for decades. UV inhibitors prevent yellowing, fading, or other discoloration due to light exposure. Scuffs, scratches and other surface damages are prevented. The coating allows the canvas to retain its natural flexibility, preserving that artist canvas look and feel. Color is enhanced, brightened, and an even, semi-gloss finish. ClearShield is applied to all canvases, including those receiving resin or gel embellishment. The price of this coating is included in the basic cost of the canvas print. To learn more, read our article explaining Giclée canvas prints. To view pricing and place your order, go to our Gallery Wrapped Canvas page.

RESIN

We use an epoxy resin to give your canvas print a brilliant, glossy shine and rigid protection. The resin is a thick liquid when applied to your canvas print. It is spread around to create a layer on the surface of the print (if it is a large print, the weight of the added resin is supported by a hardwood board behind the canvas). Resin is a self levelling compound, which means when left lying on a flat surface, it will naturally create an even layer. Once dry, the resin is crystal clear, rock hard, and very shiny. Though at first glance a resin coating might look similar to a glass cover, because the resin adheres directly to the canvas, it actually enhances the colors of the image and creates an almost three dimensional effect - as if you were standing at a window looking out onto the scene. We can apply as many coats of resin as the customer requests, thought we recommend two coats, which creates a layer approximately 1/8" thick. The thicker the resin, the more dimension in the image. To read more about resin coatings, see our article all about Epoxy Resin Coating. Visit our Resin Coating page to view pricing and start the easy ordering process.

GEL EMBELLISHMENT

Gel embellishment uses an acrylic gel medium which, like resin, dries crystal clear, makes the colors in your print really pop, and creates a glossy sheen (unless a matte gel medium is used). The difference, however, lies in the texture. While resin creates a flawlessly smooth surface, gel embellishment adds texture to the print. At KeenART Media, we offer two levels of gel embellishment. Basic: An overall brushstroke effect that gives your canvas an almost wet look, with high shine, and small peaks that highlight the image and add movement to the whole piece. This method is less time consuming and therefore less costly, but the result is a completely original piece. Advanced: Careful highlighting of the existing brushstrokes gives them the dimension they would have had in the original painting. Thicker layers in certain areas bring out those sections, and are offset by thinner application in other areas. This method is more time consuming and adds a realistic dimensionality to the piece. For more information, see our article on Gel Embellishment. For pricing, visit ourGel Embellishment page.

QUICK COMPARISON

CLEARSHIELD RESIN GEL EMBELLISHMENT Formulation Water-based, chemical liquid EX-4 epoxy resin and EX-4 Hardener Water-based, acrylic polymers; essentially colorless acrylic paint Thickness Indistinguishable Multiple options, 1/16" per layer Multiple options, average 1/12" (2 mm) Finish Semi-glossy, flexible, texture of canvas Glossy, rigid, thick with high shine (like 50 coats of varnish) Glossy, flexible, brushstroke or peaked texture Application Spray or roll-on By hand, plaster knife, other straight edge Paintbrushes, palate knife, etc. Longevity Archival standards, UV-inhibitors Long lasting, decades if properly cared for Long lasting, up to a decade is properly cared for Protection Protects against UV light, scratches, scuffs, and water damage Protects against tearing, scratches; ClearShield protections as well Drying/Setting Time Two to three hours Up to 24 hours Conservation Treated prints meet most archival standards Not archival because process cannot be reversed without print damage Price (12"x12") Stretched canvas coated: $50 (no additional charge) $50 canvas + $71 (1/8" thickness) = $121 $50 canvas + $30 (Basic) = $80

 

ORDER ONLINE, DO IT YOURSELF!

ClearShield Canvas Guard

EX-74 Resin and Hardener

Fredrix Acrylic Texturing Gel (COMING SOON)

Whatever coating style you select for your Giclée canvas print, it is certain to be a beautiful work of art. ClearShield is an excellent choice for portraits and wedding photographs, while resin coating gives an extra pop to highly saturated photographs and prints of paintings. Gel embellishment is ideal for adding an original flair to an artwork reproduction. If you have questions about our coating services, or want advice on which option is best for your image, do not hesitate to contact us. Our helpful and knowledgeable staff is always happy to offer suggestions and share our expertise.

Canvas Print Coatings FAQs:

Q1 : I just want a normal canvas print. What coating do I select? Q2 : Can I add my own coating to my canvas print? Q3 : Can I get a canvas print with a hard surface? Q4 : I need a reproduction printed, but I don't want to lose the original texture of the painted brush strokes. Q5 : What is the difference between your resin and gel coatings? Q6 : What is ClearShield Canvas Guard? Q7 : Can I order a canvas print with absolutely no coatings at all? Q8 : I want to buy my own ClearShield Canvas Guard. What are the limitations?   Q1 : I just want a normal canvas print. What coating do I select? A regular canvas print will automatically have our ClearShield Canvas Guard coating. Without this coating, the inks can be easily scratched off the surface of the canvas, so this application is essential. The ClearShield coating will add a semi-gloss sheen to your print, which brightens colors and protects, but does not alter the feel of the canvas. Order online: ClearShield Canvas Guard, bulk Q2 : Can I add my own coating to my canvas print? It is certainly possible to add your own coating to your print once you have received it. However, since the print will already be coated with our ClearShield canvas guard (unless otherwise requested, which is not recommended), it is a good idea to speak with our technician about the type of coating you intend to use. If there is a concern that it may interfere with our coating, we are happy to supply you with a sample piece to test. Order online: ClearShield canvas coating. Acrylic gel medium will be available for purchase soon. Q3 : Can I get a canvas print with a hard surface? Resin is the coating for you, in this case. When set, a resin coating is as hard and protective as fifty layers of varnish. It dries crystal clear and because it is applied directly to your print, it adds saturation to the colors and creates a three-dimensional effect. Your canvas will be hard to the touch. Order online to DIY: EX-74 Epoxy Resin Q4 : I need a reproduction printed, but I don't want to lose the original texture of the painted brush strokes. Gel embellishment is the best way to enhance a canvas reproduction of a painting. By brushing this clear gel over the image in the same direction as the original brush strokes, the print becomes an original of its own. Q5 : What is the difference between your resin and gel coatings? Resin dries very hard, with a crystal clear, high gloss finish that enhances the color of your image and gives it a three dimensional look. The coating can be anywhere from 1/8" to 1/4" or thicker, depending on the number of coats you want. When dry, resin is has a similar effect to 50 layers of varnish. A gel coating gives dimension and texture to your print, but maintains the flexibility of the canvas. Depending on how it is applied, gel embellishment can mimic the original brush strokes from a painting, or highlight significant areas with added depth. Like resin, gel medium dries to a gloss finish (though matte finishes do exist). Visit our Canvas Print Coatings page for a comprehensive comparison. Order online: Epoxy Resin, bulk. Acrylic gel medium will be available for purchase soon. Q6 : What is ClearShield Canvas Guard? ClearShield canvas guard is a protective coating that is formulated specifically for Giclée canvas prints. It does not inhibit the flexibility of the canvas, allowing the prints to be sprayed prior to stretching. It contains UV-inhibitors, just like the ink, that prevent fading or yellowing over time. The coating also protects from scratches and scuffs, and enhances the color and brilliance of the image. Order online: Clearshield Canvas Guard Q7 : Can I order a canvas print with absolutely no coatings at all? It is possible to order your print with no coatings including the ClearShield canvas guard. However, without this basic coating, the inks on the canvas will scratch off very easily, even just during shipping. If you decide on no coating, we recommend having your prints rolled (instead of stretched) for extra protection. We cannot guarantee an uncoated canvas will not arrive scratched. If you plan to paint on your canvas print, the ClearShield coating will not be a problem for acrylic or oil paints. Q8 : I want to buy my own ClearShield Canvas Guard. What are the limitations? Because ClearShield canvas guard is water-based, it can't be used to coat water-sensitive products, or those that already resist water. For example, silicone surfaces cannot be coated with ClearShield. Order online: ClearShield Canvas Guard.

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