Giclee: Canvas Coating

Coating canvas after printing is a must; although some printers and even certain manufacturers claim the their products do not require coating, we strongly advise to take this step in order to protect the giclee.

We coat all canvas with an aqueous compound specifically made for giclee. It is fast drying, completely clear and it adds both scuff and UV protection.

We spray coat our canvas with turbine HVLP automotive grade spray guns. This method has several advantages over rolling coating:

-The coating is atomized for higher penetration and binding with the canvas receptive layer and pigments. Roller coating tends not to penetrate as well.

-Spray coating is very even. Roller coating can create streaking.

-Spray coating does not form bubbles that can be trapped between the coat and the canvas

-Spray coating creates the same thickness layer of coating. Roller coating machines do this as well but manual coating makes this impossible.

-Spray coating is recommended by most inkjet canvas manufacturers as the preferred method for coating.

Although we strongly recommend coating, there is an exception to the rule: many customers are now purchasing printed canvas with the intention of overpainting either on some areas or completely over the printed matter. In this case we advise to leave the canvas uncoated for better paint receptivity. After the painting is done, proceed with coating either with a suitable spray or by brushing a varnish.

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