Advanced guide to submitting your image for canvas prints

This page is really intended for imaging professionals who need precise guidelines for preparing an image for a canvas print. If you are not a whizz with PhotoShop or if you can't follow these guidelines - do not worry! See our basic instructions for some guidance.

Resolution for printing on canvas

We print 200dpi and with Dye Sublimation that equates to 3200 dpi output ink jet equivalent on the substrate. A 30x40cm canvas would come out as 2855x3622 pixels. Most of the images we are given are less than that, but PhotoShop does a great job of resizing, and the dye sublimation process and real canvas means that you can get an extraordinary print from even a poor quality image. Do not be duped by companies hammering on about 1400 dpi it can all be rather baffling. We would not be able to win awards if we were not offering something special.

Gallery Wrap or No wrap

We gallery wrap as standard (unless we can see problems with doing that). If you would like us not to wrap it, that's fine but you must make an explicit instruction when you order. More information on gallery wrap

File formats

TIFs can sometimes be very large, and while fine for CD, sometimes it causes problems with uploading a file over the internet. We find that a JPG saved with maximum quality offers very good compression with an unnoticeable drop in quality.

Exact sizing chart

As carpentry for stretcher bar frames in the UK is traditionally in inches, the cm frame measurements need to be converted. We also take into account other variables when applying the inks to the canvas, amount of shrinkage and stretch in the production process. These factors mean that you cannot buy a 30x40cm frame and supply a 30x40cm image without us having to crop it to a degree. The chart below shows the image size you must submit to get an exact reproduction with no cropping.

EG you order a 150 x 50 canvas on a 2.5 cm frame. You would like it gallery wrapped. You should therefore supply an image sized to 158cm x 57 cm at 200dpi.

What You Receive

The dimensions of the finished canvas print you receive are as follows as carpentry for stretcher bar frames in the UK and USA is traditionally in inches