Anyone done LARGE photos printed on canvas?

[Dee*Jay]

I’m moving into a place where I need art with really big scale. I’ve got some pics I took in Cuba that I would love to blow up but would love feedback on any company you’ve used because there are so many and I can’t find a way to really differentiate. I’m looking for as big as possible (I found a place that does 40” X 60” but really want much larger than if I can find it). I’m also open to other medium, it doesn’t have to be canvas if there is another material I’m not thinking of that would work.

And a question about how many I can reasonably do. I’ve got several that I would like blown up but I don’t want to be a one trick pony. For something like this is one really the max or can I do more than one, especially if I put them in different areas and/or use different shapes?

 

[Karl_K]

Make sure they apply a uv resistant varnish to them after its printed if you want to keep it looking good for more than 4-5 years..
The cheaper places do not.

 

[SB621]

DeeJay,

I have used several companies for canvas photos though nothing larger then 20 x 30. Honestly I just buy whatever deal LivingSocial or Groupon are offering for canvas photos that are dirt cheap. Without those deals I just don't see the need to spend that much on artwork/ family photos. We have a few large wall that I wanted to put pictures up on. Instead of doing 1 large piece of artwork I did 4 that were 20 x 30. It looks great and I think having multiple photos gives the room a bit more dimension if that makes sense. I think each photo cost me $28 instead of the typical $180.

Companies I have used and like:
Fabness (I just checked and LivingSocial has another 1 with this company going on now)
Image Canvas

Companies I have used and not like:
Shutterfly

 

[WinkHPD]

Every month I see advertisements in my Photoshop User magazine for Bayphoto.com and their metal prints. One of my friends here in Boise is an award winning photographer who has some of his prints done large on the metallic paper and I can say that it is absolutely STUNNING. I can not speak to the cost as I have no idea. Their add shows a wall with a panorama of four panels of metal prints that is 14 feet wide by 7 feet tall, which is why I thought of them when you said you wanted big.

Wink

P.S. Here is a blurb from their website:

MetalPrints - Beautiful Prints on Aluminum

MetalPrints™ represent a new art medium for preserving photos by infusing dyes directly into specially coated aluminum sheets. Because the image is infused into the surface and not on it, your images will take on an almost magical luminescence. Metal Prints are available in 4 different surfaces: High Gloss, Satin, and Sheer with a Glossy or Matte finish. You've never seen a more brilliant and impressive print! Colors are vibrant and the luminescence is breathtaking. Detail and resolution are unsurpassed. To compliment this unique printing method, we have also developed a variety of ultra-modern ways to hang and display your Metal Prints.

 

[pinkjewel]

I've used AllPopArt.com for several photo to canvas projects. Although most of what I've done involves pop art from photos- I have done some more basic photo to canvas prints, too. They don't list anything quite as large as 40" to 60" on their site, but they do lots of custom work and would probably do whatever size you want. It may be a problem with shipping and after a certain size may need to go freight-I'd check and see. If you do decide you might want to go with them-let me know as they just sent me a code for 20% off. Not sure when it expires. Check out some of their "artist touch" photos to canvas,too. Love a couple of the landscapes!

Here is a fairly large PopArt canvas they did for me of one of my pups.

 

[Cluless]

Dee-Jay that's what we do, we own a large format print/sign company. The largest canvas we print on is 96" x 48" . Many of our customers like photo tex are you familiar with this medium, it's similar to wall paper, difference is it's a lot easier to apply and you can remove and reposition over and over with out damaging it. Here is a link to the company maybe you can ask the large format printing companies in your area if they use this medium.

http://www.phototexgroup.com/

 

[lyra]

I'd love to see some of the pics DeeJay. My daughter and her bf went to Cuba in November. She got some great shots that she blew up and had plaqued. She works for a photo company. We have two of the plaques hanging up in the house, they are stunning. Such vibrant colours!

 

[VapidLapid]

How big you can print will depend largely on the resolution of your camera. you really can't make a 40 x 50 print from a 35mm neg. or a 10 MB file. I still shoot 4x5 and 8x10, and for printing I have drum scans made. This can leave me with a 1-4 GB file! and each scan is about $250. The places I have used to print large scale (other than my own black and white darkroom) are Laumont Labs, and Griffin Editions, both in NYC

 

[Dee*Jay]

Wow – so much great info – thank you all.

Karl, I would never have known that. I appreciate the tip!

SB, a friend of mine sent me a link to a coupon the other day (it wasn’t through Living Social or Groupon, but something like that). It was only for 50% off the price though, but $180 to $28 is HUGE savings.

Wink, I’ve never heard of this before. Are the prints that your friend has framed or are they “self framing” like when they wrap the canvas around the wooden frame pieces?

Pinkjewel, LOVE the pic of your pup! And I will check out the “artist touch” options.

Clueles, THANK YOU! If it is feasible to go with your company over another I will definitely do that! I would rather give my money to someone I “know.” If I send an email I’ll identify myself as “Dee” (not my real name, but obviously I'll put that in the message). My move doesn’t happen for another few weeks and I’ll need some time to really measure and think things through so it could be a little bit yet.

Lyra, when I was in Cuba I took 1200 pictures – 100 street scenes, 100 stray dogs, and 1,000 old cars!!! I would love to hear about your trip and see the artwork! If you know anyone who has my email feel free to reach out to them and I'll send you a link to the online version of the book. I don't want to post it here because it has my real last name. It would be interesting to see what you think since you were there!

VL, thank you for bringing this up about the resolution. I took the pics with a real, high-quality camera (not an iphone or anything like that) but I will have to find out more technical info about the files. Thanks also for the names of the labs you’ve used.

 

[Cluless]

Dee-Jay you're welcome, that link I posted isn't our company it's the supplier for photo tex. If you're interested in knowing our prices and services (we're in Canada) is there a way we can contact each other?

 

[Dee*Jay]

Clueless, sorry -- I misunderstood!

Several PSers have my email. If you are connected to anyone it's very possible we can get in touch (if not directly, at least through a "daisy chain"). Do you have Enerchi's email by chance?

 

[Dee*Jay]

I'm trying to figure out how to edit my name off of the book in Blurb so I can post it but I'm stuck in an endless loop for some reason. If I ever do manage to get the link up I would be grateful for opinions on what photos would look good blown up in this context!

 

[Cluless]

No I have no one's e-mail, do you have a loupe troupe or diamond bistro account? Cause I don't have any of those either.

 

[Dee*Jay]

LOL clueless, I don't have any of those either. Let me look around on there and see if I know anyone with a posting up who can connect us. (Or if anyone who happens to read this has a posting up please let me know. Thanks!)

 

[Cluless]

ok dee-jay sounds good.