What Is a Canvas Print? Canvas Fabric, Printing and How It Differs

Canvas prints are one of the first things you come across when looking for wall decor. So what is a canvas print, how is it different from a poster, a blank painting canvas or an oil painting, how is it made and who is it right for? In this guide we cover everything you need to know, from what the word canvas means to fabric and stretcher bar specifications, care and hanging tips, and frequently asked questions.

What does canvas mean?

Canvas is the name of a tightly woven, durable fabric. The painter's canvas that artists have worked on for centuries is canvas fabric, and today the same material is also used for bags, shoes and tents. In home decor, though, canvas usually means a printed piece of wall art.

What is a canvas print?

A canvas print is wall art made by printing a design or photograph on canvas fabric and stretching it over a wooden frame called a stretcher bar. The fabric wraps around the edges and is fixed at the back. The result has no glass or frame in front of it; it has depth and hangs on the wall like a painting.

Three features set canvas prints apart from other wall art:

• Textured surface: The weave of the fabric gives the print the subtle texture of a painter's canvas.
• No glass, no glare: With nothing in front of it, it stays clear from every angle.
• Frameless depth: The depth of the stretcher bar lifts the print a few centimetres off the wall, so it needs no frame.

Canvas fabric and stretcher bars: the two measures of quality

The quality of a canvas print depends largely on two things: the weight of the fabric and the depth of the stretcher bar.

• Fabric weight: Measured in grams per square metre. The heavier the fabric, the denser, fuller and more durable it is. Our canvas prints use 220 g/m² canvas, which renders fine detail and smooth tonal transitions clearly.
• Stretcher bar depth: Thin bars can flex over time and look flat on the wall. We use 30 mm stretcher bars, which keep the fabric taut and give the print a strong presence.

How is a canvas print made?

Making a canvas print takes a few steps:

1. Design and colour preparation: The image is prepared for the print size and aspect ratio.
2. Printing: The design is printed on canvas fabric with wide-gamut professional printing systems. Colour calibration keeps the tones consistent from order to order.
3. Stretching: The printed fabric is stretched over the wooden bar, wrapped around the edges and fixed at the back.
4. Hanger and quality check: A hanger is fitted and the print and stretching quality are checked one by one.
5. Packaging: The print ships boxed in protective packaging.

Canvas print or poster?

The same design can be bought as a canvas print or as a poster. The main differences are:

• Surface: Canvas is textured and matte; a poster is printed on smooth paper.
• Protection: A framed poster has an anti-glare cover; canvas is open at the front, so it never reflects.
• Look: Canvas looks like a painting; a framed poster looks graphic and neat.
• Use: Canvas is most striking in large sizes and hung on its own; framed posters combine easily in gallery walls.

We explain which frame suits which interior in our guide to choosing a frame.

How it differs from a blank painting canvas

A painting canvas and a canvas print share the same base: canvas fabric stretched over a bar. The difference is how the image gets there.

• Blank canvas: Sold for painting, primed white, and painted by hand with oils, acrylics or gouache.
• Canvas print: A ready-to-hang product with a printed design. It lets you hang canvas-textured art without painting it yourself.

How it differs from an oil painting

An oil painting is an original work painted by hand on canvas. Each one is unique, the brushstrokes are raised, and the price varies widely with the artist, size and effort. A canvas print is made by printing a design on canvas. It has the same canvas texture but a flat surface, and it is far more affordable than an original oil painting. In short, choose an oil painting if you want an original artwork, and a canvas print if you want to decorate your home with canvas-textured designs.

Who is a canvas print right for?

• Those who want the feel of a painting: The texture makes the print look like a painted work.
• Bright rooms: With no glass, it doesn't reflect even on a wall facing a window.
• Those who want one statement piece: A single 50x70 cm canvas above a sofa or bed becomes the focal point of the room. See our guide to large canvas prints.
• Modern and minimal interiors: The frameless look works beautifully on clean walls.

For ideas by style and by room, read our canvas print styles guide.

Canvas print sizes and prices

Our canvas prints come in four sizes: 13x18 cm (desks and shelves), 21x30 cm (narrow walls), 30x40 cm (studies and bedrooms) and 50x70 cm (living rooms and feature walls). We explain which size suits your wall in our artwork size guide, and what drives the price in our canvas print prices guide.

Care and hanging tips

• Cleaning: Dust with a dry, soft cloth or a lint brush. Avoid wet cloths, detergents and sprays.
• Sun and humidity: The print is fade-resistant, but keeping it away from all-day direct sunlight and heavy steam extends its life.
• Hanging: Canvas is light, so a single nail or screw is enough. The centre of the artwork should be about 145–150 cm above the floor.
• Handling: Hold the print by the edges of the stretcher bar; don't press on the front of the fabric.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a canvas print?

A canvas print is wall art made by printing a design or photograph on canvas fabric and stretching it over a wooden stretcher bar, with no glass or frame in front. Its textured surface gives the print the feel of a painting on canvas.

Is "kanvas" the same as canvas?

Yes. "Kanvas" is the Turkish spelling of canvas; both words describe the same fabric-printed, stretched artwork.

Does a canvas print come framed?

A canvas print does not need a frame; the fabric wraps around the edges of a 30 mm stretcher bar and hangs frameless. If you want a framed look, the same designs are available as wood, black or white framed posters.

Do canvas prints fade?

Our canvas prints use fade-resistant printing suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Keeping the print out of long periods of direct sunlight still keeps the colours vivid for longer.

How do you clean a canvas print?

Gently dust it with a dry, soft cloth or a lint brush. Don't use wet cloths or cleaning products, as they can damage the print.

Explore every design in our canvas print collection.