What are your printing prices?
A detailed price list will be published soon. In the meantime, here are representative prices for typical print sizes:
Ready-to-hang 20″ x 16″ archival quality canvas print, with protective coating, gallery wrapped on 3/4″ standard stretcher bars. only $80
18″ x 12″ print on Epson Premium Luster 260 gsm professional photo paper, with 1/2″ borders. only $17.33
18″ x 12″ print on Photo Metallic high-gloss pearl finish paper, with 1/2″ borders. only $18.98
Do you offer discounts?
Yes, I offer quantity discounts based on the order size. Special pricing terms for professional clients can be arranged. Call me to discuss your requirements.
Will I sell your art in my gallery?
Simple answer: no.
Unlike some other printing shops, I do not want to drain your retail margin by selling your work in my gallery at a commission. I consider that to be “double-dipping”. My printing prices do not reflect any financial advantage I might obtain by charging you a commission on gallery sales. Nor do I have any need to influence your retail pricing.
My strategy is to work with you to maximize your margin so that we can both succeed.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards, cash, cheque, PayPal and Interac e-Transfer.
If you wish to pay with PayPal or Interace e-Transfer, please let us know at time of ordering. We will send you an invoice through PayPal or by email in advance of shipping.
Do you ship?
Yes! We ship worldwide via Canada Post, Fedex or your preferred carrier. We find Canada Post offers the best value in most cases. We will quote you the packing and shipping charges before we finalize your order.
We can “drop ship” prints for professional clients. If you expect to be selling prints regularly, through your own website for example, I can fulfill orders and ship directly to your clients. Please call me to discuss your requirements.
There is a packing fee for prints which depends on the material and size, ranging from $5 for smaller flat prints, up to $50 to pack larger stretched canvases for shipping. We will quote you the packing fee before we finalize your order.
What are your payment terms?
For scanning and printing orders
In most cases, payment is due in full upon pickup or before items are shipped. On orders over $400 or if special-order materials are required, a 50% deposit is required.
For book and graphic design orders
Payment milestones will be quoted based on the level of effort and duration of the project. In some cases, the first payment will be due on acceptance of the proposal.
What about PST and GST?
We are registered to collect both PST and GST.
If you have a PST number, we will honour your PST exemption request on resellable products such as art prints. Please let us know your PST number before we create your invoice.
What printer do you use?
I use an HP Designjet Z3200ps 44″ photo inkjet printer. This model is designed specifically for “museum grade” fine art and photographic printing, otherwise known as “giclée” printing. The primary features and benefits of this model over competing models are:
built-in X-Rite i1 spectrophotometer and automatic maintenance software ensures colours are accurate and remain consistent for every print job
12-ink HP Vivera printing system ensures widest colour gamut, best grayscales and no bronzing on photo prints
What canvas do you use?
I use Lyve Canvas by Breathing Color. This is among the finest inkjet canvases available. Lyve Canvas is a premium, certified archival-quality, bright white (but OBA-free) matte canvas with a 19 mil thickness and 450 gsm weight. It has superior resolution and Dmax.
Do you use third-party ink?
No, absolutely not! I use only genuine HP Vivera inks to ensure you of the best and most consistent colour reproduction and to ensure that you have the full support of the original manufacturer.
But can’t I reduce my prices and save you a lot of money if I used third-party inks?
In short, no. I have researched the claimed monetary benefits of third-party inks and it doesn’t make sense for fine art printing. I have done the analysis and the cost of ink is not a significant contributor to the cost of a fine art print with my equipment. Trading off your confidence is not worth the small savings that might accrue.
What other print substrates do you offer?
My most popular media (other than canvas) are:
Elegance Velvet fine art paper by Breathing Color
Premium Luster Photo Paper (260) by Epson
I also keep stock on a variety of other media including:
Hahnemühle Studio Book & Decor smooth fine art paper
HP Premium Instant-Dry Satin photo paper
metallic photo papers by Breathing Color, Lexjet and Ilford
HP Opaque Scrim banner
HP Bright White bond
What canvas coating do you use?
I use Glamour 2 by Breathing Color. It is specially formulated for Lyve Canvas to provide UV protection which greatly extends the fade resistance and color fastness of the print. I apply the coating with a foam roller. I have coated prints as large as 10 feet by 30 inches.
I keep both Matte and Gloss finish on hand, which I mix 50-50 to produce a perfect satin finish that most of my clients prefer. However, let me know if you want a different finish.
What canvas frames do you use?
My canvas stretcher frames are custom produced at Bayview Framing in Ladysmith using Larson-Juhl wood bars. Both 3/4″ and 1 1/2″ profiles are available. Cross-braces are added as required. I have produced stretched canvas prints as large as 10 feet by 30 inches.
What hanging hardware do you use?
For ready-to-hang stretched canvas prints, I use plastic-coated stranded wire and flat O-ring hangers. The flat O-ring hangers ensure the flattest finish and no moving parts to come loose. I do not use hinged “D-rings”.
I provide a specific amount of slack in the wire. This makes it easy to hang the piece while preventing any scratching of the wall. It also also the piece to slant slightly forward to provide the best viewing angle. I do not stretch the wire taut across the back.
Why do you not cover the back of your stretched canvas prints with kraft paper?
It is important to ensure uniform temperature and humidity on the front and back of the canvas. Also, in the event the humidity drops dramatically and the canvas tension loosens, it is possible to restore tension by spritzing a spray of plain water over the back of the canvas. For these reasons, I do not recommend closing off the back of the canvas.
How should I care for my canvas print?
My coated canvas prints (otherwise known as giclées) will provide a lifetime of enjoyment with only a modicum of maintenance. However, please be aware that inkjet prints are not as robust as, for example, an acrylic or oil painting. The reason is the inkjet pigment layer is actually very thin and can be gouged if mishandled. Therefore, please take the following steps to ensure the longest life of your canvas print:
When transporting your print, be careful to avoid gouging or scraping the printed area, e.g. with a ring or fingernail.
To remove dust, wipe the surface gently with a damp cloth or Swiffer.
The surface is relatively waterproof, so spills can be wiped up with a damp cloth.
The corners are especially prone to damage. When transporting the print, use corner protectors.
If the ink is scuffed off, it will reveal the white canvas underneath. Small mars can be touched up with acrylic paint.
Should the humidity drop significantly, the canvas might sag. To correct this, increase the humidity around the print. You can also spritz a spray of plain water over the back of the canvas to tighten it up.
If you have any other question, please contact me.
If you have any other question, please don’t hesitate to ask.