Is it possible to mass produce canvas prints?

PiKe · 10 Jan 2012 at 15:51

I'm trying to work out if it's possible to mass print canvasses with a gallery wrap style border.

My head is telling me that big runs (1000's) won't be feasible as there's too much manual work involved with making the frame and stretching the canvas, but I would like to know for sure, if that is the case.

Can anyone advise me?

mrk · 10 Jan 2012 at 15:53

Local framing businesses would be happy to help you out and they'd charge a lot less than the bigger more well known companies.

Seek out local businesses and support them!

PiKe · 10 Jan 2012 at 15:55

mrk said:
Local framing businesses would be happy to help you out and they'd charge a lot less than the bigger more well known companies.

Seek out local businesses and support them!

Already doing this but costs are too high! About £55 each for a 100x50 canvas.

mrk · 10 Jan 2012 at 15:56

Negotiate the cost?

Canvas building isn't exactly easy stuff, doing it too much on the cheap results in shoddy canvas mounts as well.

PiKe · 10 Jan 2012 at 15:57

mrk said:
Negotiate the cost?

Canvas building isn't exactly easy stuff, doing it too much on the cheap results in shoddy canvas mounts as well.

Yeah we can get it down to £40 but you see some in shops for about £20 and I can't see how they do it!

mrk · 10 Jan 2012 at 15:58

Maybe they have special relations with their suppliers, buy in mass = better deals?

Dave M · 10 Jan 2012 at 15:58

Cheap labour in Malaysia, China, Nigeria - you name it.

Wizzfizz · 10 Jan 2012 at 15:59

More like slave labour

PiKe · 10 Jan 2012 at 15:59

Telescopi said:
Cheap labour in Malaysia, China, Nigeria - you name it.

Would rather not but thanks.

Dave M · 10 Jan 2012 at 16:06

PiKe said:
Would rather not but thanks.

Unless you're going to find somebody willing to work for less than a living wage I'm not sure what else you can do, perhaps talk to some firms about cheaper ways of achieving similar results?

PiKe · 10 Jan 2012 at 16:08

Telescopi said:
Unless you're going to find somebody willing to work for less than a living wage I'm not sure what else you can do, perhaps talk to some firms about cheaper ways of achieving similar results?

I know what you're saying but I feel like its unethical.

If there's no mechanical process that can be used to automate the process then I know where I am.

Booner! · 10 Jan 2012 at 16:48

You can do it I'm sure. What size are you talking and I'll see if I can sort something here, worth a shot!

Also, what are you trying to achieve...as there might be another method/material that would work.

PiKe · 10 Jan 2012 at 16:48

Booner! said:
You can do it I'm sure. What size are you talking and I'll see if I can sort something here, worth a shot!

Largest would be 100x50cm or maybe 100x80cm depending on the format of the original.

Booner! · 10 Jan 2012 at 16:51

Thanks for the size. I can tell you that for 100x80cm would be about £40-45 each even using some of the largest kit in Europe. Not really sure how you would go about getting that much cheaper when material has just gone up, plus the labour of creating them.

PiKe · 10 Jan 2012 at 16:54

Booner! said:
Thanks for the size. I can tell you that for 100x80cm would be about £40-45 each even using some of the largest kit in Europe. Not really sure how you would go about getting that much cheaper when material has just gone up, plus the labour of creating them.

What about the 100x50 size and is that with any minimum?

Booner! · 10 Jan 2012 at 17:01

I don't have that cost to hand, but the unit price of £40 starts at 250 units. If you order less than this it's different cost breaks.

Is this a one off, or a regular thing?

EDIT - taken to trust, ignore above

Glaucus · 10 Jan 2012 at 17:04

All they do is print it out in printers and staple it to a wood frame.
You can buy the printers and maybe be worth looking at that and doing it yourself.
Even printed out canvases on my inkjet, but the canvas was to thick and kept jamming,

Or contact a Chinese company.