Opening new markets
Water-based and eco-solvent printers can print onto several types of canvas media.
Roberts also recommends print shop owners start by looking for canvas print media that has custom profiles for their printer and ink set.
“Profiling has become a must for media manufacturers to remain competitive,” he says. “Colour management experts dive deep into ink limits, heater settings, head speed, and feed rates. They do a lot of the leg work that print shop owners had to do for themselves several years ago.”
Offering a choice of materials with different finishes can also help clients see the difference the finish makes with their particular project.
“A customer who wants a photo printed may want a gloss finish, while a customer asking for prints of a hand-painted piece may prefer the matte artist canvas finish,” says Valade.
Stocking gloss and matte finish media as well as having samples of various weights and textures on-site can help customers make their selections more easily. Following these simple steps will allow print shop owners to accommodate their clients’ canvas printing needs, while remaining relevant and responsive to this growing trend.
Ginny Mumm is a freelance consultant for digital inkjet printer/cutter provider Roland DGA. For more information, visit www.rolanddga.com.
