What Kind of Printer Can Print on Canvas

Hey there! Some links on this page are affiliate links which means that, if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I greatly appreciate your support!

You’ve come to the correct site if you’re looking for a Large Format Printer to print your stunning Canvas paintings. We look at some of the factors to consider while choosing the best Canvas printer for your needs.

If you’re looking for a large-size canvas printer, you might be wondering what your best options are. Here, we’ll look at a few things you should think about before making that big buy.

What is the largest size print that you plan to do?

Consider the largest image you intend to print and move backward from there. You should also think about the smallest image you intend to publish. You’ll need a canvas printer that can meet these needs both now and in the future, as your business expands.

Can any Large Format Printer print on Canvas?

Wide format printers are clearly divided into two categories, so if you want to print on canvas, you should go with one from the Graphics & Photographic category. It’s the PRO-Series Mk II for Canon and the Z-Series for HP. The CAD series are meant to feed paper up to roughly 280gsm maximum, whereas these printers can take larger media up to 500gsm. Canvas comes in a variety of weights ranging from 260gsm to 450gsm, thus the Graphics models feature media settings and motors that can handle the heavier medium.

Customers frequently inquire if their CAD model, such as the iPF670 or the T520, can print on canvas. Unfortunately, these printers are not built for this, and while the media may feed, there will be no canvas media setting on the printer, and you risk breaking the motor, as well as print quality difficulties, UV fade over time, cutter blade damage, and perhaps printhead strikes.

There will be generic canvas options to pick from when using a Graphics printer; this normally disables the rotary cutter to avoid blunting the blade. Your canvas print will be finished with a dotted line that you will need to manually cut in order to remove it from the machine. Most heavy media, such as self-adhesives and vinyl, fall under this category.

Do I need to choose a printer with special inks to print on Canvas?

You’ll need a Large Format Printer that works with Pigment Inks. Because pigment ink is UV stable and waterproof, it is employed in all printers aimed at the photographic and graphic arts markets. This ensures that prints will continue to look exactly as they did when they were first printed for many years. Most individuals prefer to varnish their canvas prints after they’ve been printed to further protect them and extend their life.

Because canvas is typically produced to be shown in interiors, guaranteeing the longevity of the print by employing pigment ink is critical—especially if you’re selling these prints to clients. The print quality from these printers can endure up to 50 years on a canvas, and even longer if it’s been treated. Because they are protected from the atmosphere, which causes the picture to break down over time, prints behind glass tend to endure longer. When printed on appropriate media and stored carefully, an image behind glass can last up to 200 years.

What else do I need to think about when buying a Large Format Canvas printer?

You should consider the volume of prints you’ll be producing today and in the future. You’ll need a printer that can handle the amount of work you anticipate putting at it.

The ability to add ink cartridges of various sizes is a remarkable feature of the Canon PRO-Series printers. For example, if you know you’ll be using a lot of Photo Black, you can add a 700ml ink tank; if you use Magenta frequently but not as frequently as Photo Black, you can install a 330ml ink tank; and if you use Yellow the least, you might want to install a 160ml ink tank. Being able to make such a decision allows you to save money on large ink tanks while also preventing you from locking up money in larger inks if you don’t utilize them.

See also: How to Sublimate on Canvas Material

One thing to look for in a printer is whether or not the printhead can be replaced by the user. To replace the printhead on some printers, an Engineer will be dispatched. On Epson models, for example, the printhead can cost thousands of dollars in addition to the expense of the Engineer call-out. User-replaceable printheads are available on printers such as the Canon PRO-Series and the HP Z-Series, which take only a few minutes to replace and cost a few hundred pounds.

It’s critical to use a printer intended for the task at hand (in this case, printing Canvas). It’s not worth it to take a chance on a less expensive printer that isn’t equipped for the job. Rather than paying for supplies and repairs later, as well as costly Engineer call-outs caused by overworking your printer, it’s considerably better to get a printer that’s built to print on Canvas in the first place.

Leave a Comment