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Printing on Canvas on Smaller Inkjet Printers
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Last Updated
28th of November, 2011
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Summary: Discusses using the smaller inkjet printers (from the Epson 3880 down) to print canvas.

When clients ask us about canvas printing the first thing we say is always that the first serious option in this area is the Epson 4900.  If at all serious about canvas printing, or doing a larger volume, you need a printer with these attributes:
  • 17" Carriage - Most canvas only comes in rolls, starting from the 17 inch size.  Also, you generally need up to 4" of the canvas area for stretching (i.e. about 6cm either side of your print for the wrap).  So anything smaller than 17" seriously limits the useful print size to quite a small print.
  • Roll Feeder -  Sheets are not commonly available - there is only one quality exception - Hahnemuhle Monet comes in A3 sheets).  
  • Adjustable Platen Gap - with a sufficiently wide settings to allow the print head to be moved out from the canvas surface, meaning no (or very few) head strikes
  • Suction mechanism - This holds the material flat during printing.
  • Cutter - an inbuilt high quality rotary cutter positioned away from the print head - so it is capable of cutting canvas and any fibres that are loosened do not attach themselves to the print head (which leads to clogs etc).
The first machine to have all of this is the Epson 4900.  So if you're doing any real volume at all, this is the smallest model you should look at.

All that said, if you do want to print canvas on the smaller machines, here are a few tips:
  • Use Hahnemuhle Monet A3 sheets if you want sheets.
  • If your printer has a roll feed like the Epson 2880, then you can use 13" rolls - however, very few rolls come in the 13" size. 
  • You can have a 17" roll cut down (The Book Cover Co. can do this for you - about $50 - we can send your order directly to them if you arrange the cutting with them directly).
  • A 44" roll can be cut down (for the same price) to three 13" rolls for a more economical option.
  • You can cut down 17" sheets from a 17" roll if using the Epson 3800/3880.
  • Use the platen gap settings in your driver if you have them - use the widest setting, this helps avoid head strikes
  • You may need to use a backing sheet of stiffer cardboard, taped to the back of your canvas, to encourage your printer to load canvas which is a floppy material and hard for the rollers to grip
  • You can also try double sided framers tape - apply a small strip to the front edges of your canvas where the rollers will grab the paper to feed it.  This is an easily removable, non marking tape you can get from framing supplies shops and some art stores.
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