Showing posts with label printing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label printing. Show all posts

Friday, October 22, 2021

Celebrating 20 Years of Printing Services!



KeenArt Media has been offering high quality printing services to clients all across North America since 2002. Aside from the quantity of services, the quality is also highly important to this company. KeenArt Media prides itself on being able to reward its clients with beautiful artwork as well as support many artists across the continent by helping promote their works! This family run business understands the importance of community as well as how to connect with other artists, other small businesses, and everyday people looking for somewhere to turn. Reflecting on all that has been accomplished at this business over the last 20 years can seem overwhelming, however this article will help break down all the printing services offered here at KeenArt Media.  


About us - Vancouver Fine Art Print & Giclée On Canvas Prints 


When one hears printing services, they often think of a fax machine or Staples. However here at KeenArt Media, we do more than just print an invoice. We offer printing services on a vast variety of materials, such as fabric, canvas, metal, wood, mounts, ceramics, and fine art papers. We use fine art archival inks on giclée materials! With all these options available, KeenArt Media still offers a quick turnaround time, competitive prices, and free shipping (over $99).



Fabric is an excellent choice of material when it comes to dye sublimation, our printing technique. We offer a vast selection of fabrics including; Mesh, Spandex, Jersey, Twill, Holographic, Woven, and Linen to name a few.  However there are two distinct material bases that are used which are Knit and Woven. The main differences between the two are that knit naturally drapes and flows (for items such as apparel, flags, or tablecloths) whereas woven is more sturdy and hardwearing (for items such as banners, signage, upholstery). The only common factor between these materials is that they must be polyester based. This is because the polyester absorbs and locks the ink into the material, making sure it won’t fade or crack. If you’re unsure about which fabric is best suited for you, we also offer fabric sample packs that include ten 7” x 7” polyester fabrics, however we do not accept fabrics supplied by customers. Our fabrics can be used for any clothing type such as T-shirts, leggings, masks, uniforms, active sportswear, and outerwear as well as items such as promotional banners or home wear such as curtains, tablecloths, or tea towels. All fabrics are recommended hand wash or machine wash cold and hang to dry. Our fabrics can be printed on any custom size no larger than 64” x 44”.



 

Polyester Fabric (above)


Vancouver Fabric Printing - Dye Sublimation on Polyester Fabrics 


Our printing services can be used perfectly for gifts, especially when the printed material is a ceramic such as a mug or an acrylic block. Using dye sublimation, we are able to print on ceramic mugs that feature a polyester coating. These mugs come in both 11oz and 15oz sizes as well as come in rather a pearl coating or a black coating with a white patch. The mugs come both dishwasher and microwave safe as well as come scratch resistant with long lasting durability. The finish of the ceramic mugs is a glossy appearance on top of any image of your choosing. The image can appear on one side for a dimension of 3.15” x 3.15” or wrap around the mug for a dimension of 8.46” x 3.15”. These mugs are the perfect gift for a loved one, a co-worker, or a client. The Acrylic Blocks are small 1” thick free standing clear acrylic blocks that have face mounted a print inside using a clear double sided adhesive. These blocks come in sizes ranging from 4” x 4” to 6” x 9” and can weigh up to 2.3lbs. The prints featured inside come in a glossy finish and the brilliant colour produced can last up to 75 years! These blocks are mainly decorative however they can be used as paperweights as well. We recommend that they are perfect as gifts or in an office space!




Vancouver - Mugs - Photo Gifts 


Vancouver - Acrylic Blocks - Photo Gifts 


Fine Art Printing doesn’t necessarily need to be printed on a fancy material, but can go back to its origins of paper prints. At KeenArt Media, we offer an assortment of fine art papers to choose from that way you will always take home something unique and special to you. Our fine art papers come in papers such as Hahnemuhle (William Turner, German Etching, Fine Art Baryta, or Photo Rag/Brilliant White), Moab (Entrada Rag Bright, Entrada Rag Natural), and Exhibition Fine Art Fiber (High D Max). We also offer Coated Papers such as Enhanced Matte and Double Weight Matte as well as Photographic Papers such as Premium Luster, Premium Glossy, Premium Semi Glossy, and Moab Slickrock Metallic (Pearl or Silver). The photographic papers are best for a professional photography appearance whereas our fine art papers are best used for museum quality archival prints or reproductions. No matter the material, our options in fine art printing are perfect for all artists, photographers, and designers alike! Aside from Fine Art Prints, we also offer Greeting Cards which are perfect for holidays, celebrations, or just staying in touch. Our cards come in 5” x 7” foldable greeting cards, 5” x 7” flat cards, or 4” x 6” postcards. All cards are available in glossy, matte, or elegant linen finishes and use archival pigmented inks when printed on. The cards can be vertical or horizontal and come with a white mailing envelope.


Vancouver Fine Art Prints, Art Print Art Posters Canvas Art, & Framed Art Pictures- Prints Plus Posters 


Vancouver Custom Greeting cards, Postcards, Photo Cards, Picture Cards - Make your own card online 


A Plaque Mount is a modern way to display your art without using a frame. Using a wood fiber plaque, the artwork is mounted on top and sealed with a matte, UV protected laminate. The wood plaques come with a beveled edge that is available in multiple different colours. Plaque mount art is permanent, durable, and long lasting as well as protected against moisture, smudges, and scratches. We offer five main plaque mount styles including Standard/Flat Plaque Mount, Box/Flush Plaque Mount, Float Plaque Mount, Matted Plaque Mount, and Combo/Raised Plaque Mount. 

Dry Mounting uses a poster or a photograph and uses heat to attach the print to a surface. The benefits of dry mounting include preservation, avoids wrinkles or tearing, and easy display. Dry Mounting a print can be done on multiple materials such as Foam Boards, Plywood, Sintra, Matboards, Coroplast, and Mighty Boards. This method is perfect for photos, posters, newspapers or magazines, maps, collages, puzzles, artwork, blueprints, certificates, letters and much more!

A Plexiglass Face Mount is similar to a plaque mount as it is a frameless display of art. However instead of laminating a print onto a surface, a Face Mount displays art between a sheet of aluminum and a sheet of clear plexiglass, then they are all fused together. This is done using a cold press. This permanent bond creates a 3D like effect with enhanced vivid colours. This is a perfect option for photographs or artwork printed on metallic or glossy paper.

Block / Plaque Mounting, Vancouver Mount & display photos on MDF 

Vancouver Custom Size Mounting Boards - PlexiGlass, Foam Cores, Dibond, Gator Board, Mighty boards, Sintra (Plastic), Plywoods, Coroplast, Matboards 



Vancouver Face Mounting Prints On Acrylic/PlexiGlass - Acrylic Face Mounting 


Our Canvas Prints are offered in four different forms; a rolled canvas print, a thin canvas gallery wrap, a thick canvas gallery wrap, and a framed canvas print. Our thin canvases come mounted on a ¾ stretcher bar frame whereas our thick canvases come mounted on a 1 ½ stretcher bar frame. Our canvas fabric is made from an archival poly/cotton blend that is acid free, water resistant, stretchable for framing, and instant drying. These canvases can be printed as small as 6” x 6” up to as large as 144” x 64”, as well as on round canvases. We use the special printing process of Giclée which uses high quality, archival, pigmented inks. When printing on canvas, there are four different edge wraps to choose from including mirror canvas wrap, pixel canvas wrap, image canvas wrap, and solid colours.  



Pricing, Photos On Canvas Prints Vancouver - Photos On Canvas Fine art Prints & Gifts 


We offer original handmade oil paintings here at KeenArt Media. Instead of finding and hiring an artist on your own to paint your images, we already have an artist on hand! All you have to do is select your photograph and we will have an artist create an original oil painting version within the month. Our artists are able to paint landscapes, portraits, florals, abstract, and classical reproductions. All the artists are highly skilled and experienced in oil painting, and you will be guaranteed a beautiful original piece of art! 


    KeenArt Media also offers a program in which local artists can upload their artworks to our website in order to get more exposure, and are able to sell their artwork through our business. This program is available to artists, photographers, and art galleries for free. All the artist has to do is upload their artwork, and set their prices and sizes offered. All information can be updated by that artist at any point in time.


Vancouver Handmade oil paintings from photos to artist Canvas - Oil Paintings Reproductions of famous artists; portraits, floral, landscapes, abstract oil paintings 


Vancouver Artist Gallery program , Giclée Art Print Art Posters Canvas Art & Framed Art Pictures- Prints Plus Posters 


Dye Sublimation is the printing process of using heat to infuse inks into a material. The materials we offer to dye sublimate on aside from fabric, are metal such as aluminum, and wood in particular natural. Each print is given a frameless appearance, is permanent and durable as well as scratch resistant, and easy to clean. The natural wood prints are made out of a maple veneer with a low gloss coating, all wood prints are ready to hang as they have pre drilled keyholes in the back. The metal prints are made from aluminum panels which enhance all photographic highlights as well as create a gloss finish. The metal prints come in three different display options including a table easel, float mount hangers, and a ¾ inset frame. Both the metal and wood prints are available in sizes as small as 2” x 3” up to 60” x 40”.



Vancouver Metal & Natural Wood Prints - Dye Sublimation on Aluminum and Wood 


For 20 years KeenArt Media has been perfecting the art of printing. Printing services of many methods and materials used to create endless options for our customers. From Canvas and Fine Art Prints to Metal, Wood, and Fabric Dye Sublimations to Plexiglass, Face, and Dry Mounts. As well as many gift options such as Mugs, Handmade Oil Paintings, and Acrylic Blocks! KeenArt Media strives to create the best printed products for your home, your clients, and yourself! Our printing services are guaranteed to meet your needs and help assist you in any photo reproduction way possible!



For more information: Vancouver Canvas Photo Prints, Custom Made Picture Frames & Plaque Mounts, Face Mounting Prints On PlexiGlass 


Friday, May 8, 2015

Art!Vancouver : Vancouver's First and Largest Art Exhibition


One of Vancouver's largest fine art exhibitions will take place from Thursday May 21st to Sunday May 24th at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The event is hosted by Art! Vancouver, and will be featuring talented artist from all over the world! The event will be an amazing platform for showcasing artworks of talented up-incoming and seasoned artists. It will also be a networking hub for everyone in the fine art community, and a great way to connect with collectors and art appreciators. 

This is the first event of its kind in Vancouver and will also feature prominent guest speakers in the art community. Local, national and international artists will participate in the 4-day event to exhibit some of the most creative, original and innovative artwork in the world. Art!Vancouver's goal is to connect the fine art community and mark Vancouver as a diverse and exciting art destination in the world.

If you are participating in Art!Vancouver this year, be sure to check out VancouverOnCanvas.com for high quality, archival printing services or art supplies to complete your collection! If you are an art admirer looking for art of your own, be sure to check out our classical art reproductions or upload your own photos to create one of a kind personal artwork!

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Artwork Displaying Methods: Which one should you choose? (Part 2)

In my last blog post, I described the process of dry mounting and what you may need to consider if you wanted to use that method for displaying your photos.

In this post, I will be describing how plaque mounting works and what types of media you might want to get plaque mounted. I will also be writing about plexi-face mounts and what you might need to know.


2. Plaque Mounting
I mentioned in my last blog post that plaque mounting is a type of dry mount that uses medium density fiberboard (MDF) as the mounting surface. The biggest difference between plaque mounts and other dry mount medias is that it is sturdier, more durable, and a UV protective laminate is applied on top of your prints.



It has a minimalistic, modern appearance that is great for offices and modern homes. Many people like to plaque mount photos that are tokens of achievements such as awards, certificates, blueprints, newspaper clipping and etc. It is perfect for mobile display panels, or prints displayed in high-activity areas. Plaque mounts will protect your photos and have a longer lifespan than other types of dry mounts.


How It Works
The process is the same as regular dry mounting. An adhesive fiber is placed between the photo and the MDF board and then heat sealed with a UV protected laminate on top. The result is a smooth surfaces free of bumps and bubbles with a matte finish. One set back is that you cannot get a glossy or textured finish because of the laminate.

Plaque mounting is a less expensive alternative to custom picture framing. It has the protective qualities of a picture frame that is simple, easy to care for and easy to move around. To hang it, a keyhole is drilled out from the back and you can hang it on a screw on the wall.

Plaque mounts have beveled edges that come in a variety of colours to suit your home or complement your photo. At Vancouver on Canvas we also have different styles of plaque mounts that suit your preference. The most standard plaque mount is almost frameless (with a thin beveled edge) and lays flat against the wall. We have other versions that allow for a "frame" appearance or even a canvas style look with a thicker edge. Visit our site to view all the options.

Like dry mounts, this is a permanent procedure and you must consider the value of your artwork and photo before you get it plaque mounted. However, aforementioned, plaque mounting is a lot more durable in the long run than dry mounting on foam core.


Plaque Mounts with different coloured edges and mounting styles


4. Plexiglass Face Mounts
Instead of using a film laminate, plexiglass or acrylic is applied on top of the image, hence the name plexiglass face mount. The plexiglass intensifies the colour gamut of all images because of the way light refractions occur inside the glass - making the colours pop and stand out more.

Even though the photo is placed behind glass we can still print on glossy paper because the finish can actually add more intensity to the colours when the plexiglass is applied on top.

How It Works
First, a transparent, double-sided adhesive is applied onto the front of the print. The protective film is peeled back and then the plexiglass is mounted on top of the print. Different thickness of glass can be used but you must consider two things: where you are hanging your prints and the type of backing you're going to use because it can get very heavy.

After the acrylic is mounted on top of the print, you can either get it plaque mounted or dry mounted to hang your artwork.

Currently, we do offer plexi face mount services but it is by request only and pricing will vary depending on the print and size. Please email us here for requests or price quotes.


Plaque mounts and plexiglass face mounts are a modern and stylish way to display your photos. If you don't want the look of a bulky or traditional picture frame, these two methods are a good alternative. You don't need to worry about glass breaking or changing your frames to match your decor if you move or renovate.

Visit Vancouver on Canvas now to get your photos dry mounted or plaque mounted.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Artwork Displaying Methods: Which one should you choose? (Part 1)



Our name, Vancouver on Canvas, probably gives away what we specialize in - everything to do with canvases from canvas stretching, custom stretcher bars, floater frames and of course canvas prints! 

However, we also provide services and products related to just regular prints on paper or artwork on paper (ie. watercolour paintings, sketches, posters and etc). We offer many different ways for our customers to display and show off their artwork and photographs. 

Generally, you need to consider a few factors: decide where you are displaying the photograph, the importance of longevity, how much value it has to you and the overall look-and-feel. You must consider these factors to make your choice in how you want to mount the image because different methods of displaying your photo will be for different purposes.

We offer dry mounting, plaque mounting and custom pictureframing. You’re probably wondering how to decide which one works best for you.

1. Dry Mounting

I'll start the first segment of this article about dry mounting. Many photographers and artists use this method to display their photos and artwork for gallery showings. Dry mounting is quick, inexpensive and it can last for a long time if handled with care. There are many different materials you can dry mount on.

Many people are probably familiar with wet mounting, as a child you probably done a lot of arts and crafts where you take a liquid-like glue to paste your artwork onto cardboard or heavy papers. Dry mounting, as you can guess is the opposite, the adhesive is a dry fibre that is heated to stick the pieces together. No mess, no bumps or lumps and no worry of liquid bleeding through your artwork.

How It Works
Drying mounting is a process where a paper print and a foam board are permanently attached to each other. A sealing tissue is placed between the artwork and the board and it is heated by using a mounting press to permanently adhere the pieces together.

Dry mounting is great way to insure that the print will have no appearances of bubbles or waves – your photo or artwork will look clean and crisp while on display.   This displaying method is inexpensive and easily portable it isgreat for ready to hang posters, maps, presentation material and any prints on paper.


Vacuum Dry Mount Press
Dry mounting is permanent so you must consider the value of the print before you consider dry mounting. If your artwork is a one-of-a-kind or limited edition piece you must keep in mind that dry mounting will affect the value of the artwork. Although all our mounting and print material are acid free, dry mounting is not considered an archival method of mounting.

The term "archival quality" is thrown around a lot but many people don't understand what it means. Of course the sound of museum archival quality makes us believe that it is better, but what makes something archival quality? It is the standards that curators follow to handle rare or old artifacts. To meet these standards, the item can be treated to prevent any deterioration but it must be reversible and the original piece must be in tact with no changes. Most people don't have curators handling their pieces and even though archival paper is acid free, not all acid free paper is archival quality.

Therefore, dry mounting does affect your artwork's longevity or how you want to present it. It is just not a good displaying method for valuable artwork or museums. This method of display can last for a very long time if it is handled carefully, it is a clean and non-intrusive way of displaying photos and artwork.

At Vancouver on Canvas, we offer a variety of mounting material for all your photos and artwork. The most popular ones are foamboard and gatorboards and the difference between these to boards is the durability. Both boards are constructed in the same way two pieces of paper-like material with synthetic material between them.

Foamboard is better for short term displaying because it is not as strong as gatorboard. The paper part of the gatorboard is a lot thicker than on foamboards and it can be used for both indoor and outdoor.

We also have sintra (plastic), dibond (aluminum), matboards (cotton rag) and MDF (plaque mounts) for dry mounting.

Dry mounting has a sleek and simplistic form that is quick and an affordable method for displaying all your artwork and photographs. You can easily transport all your work and change where you want to hang it.


Visit Vancouver on Canvas to get your photos and artwork printed and dry mounted!