Mounting photos on canvas?

[Jim3535]

Someone suggested I mount several photos on canvas rather than a standard frame. This is for more of an "art project", so the rough look follows the theme much better. I am rather skeptical that it will work. However, I have been assured that people do this and one even won something at an art show.

However, I'm not sure about the best way to mount the photos to the canvas. An art supply store recommended Super 77 spray adhesive. I've tried 3M photo mount spray in the past on foamcore and determined that it doesn't work, so I'm wary of spray adhesives. I am half tempted to try ATG.

Any thoughts on the best way to do this?

I realize most of you are probably wincing in pain as you read this...

 

[Jeff Rodier]

Why not print the photos on canvas and then stretch them. Other than that Laminall in the drymount press at 210 for 2 minutes. You could also mount Fusion to the back of the photos in the drymount press, take them out and trim the excess then place on the canvas and reinsert into the drymount press.

 

[Rob Markoff]

There are materials made specifically for what you want to do. What kind of canvas are you using? The texture of the canvas is important not only for your adhesive selection but for the final visual effect.

One of the best adhesives to mount to irregular surfaces is dry-mount film from Drytac.

http://www.drytac.com/dry-mount-film.html

Another excellent choice is Canvasmount self-adhesive canvas from Seal-Bienfang.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/46704-REG/Seal_Bienfang_SE_C101_Canvasmount_Canvas_Back.html

It is best combined with a photograph that is over laminated and the backing paper is stripped. Then it is flexible and will mold to the texture of the canvas.

Whatever adhesive you select, your best bets are combined with a dry mount press.

 

[DVieau2]

As Rob mentioned, you are thinking about the process where the emulsion of a photo print is stripped away from the paper backing and then mounted onto canvas.

A regular photo print is too thick and wouldn't take on the texture of canvas but the emulsion layer of a photo print is very thin and if you can strip it away the results are very good.

We used to do this 20 years ago in the photolab (we were brave and did it without an overlay ) but with the advent of inkjet canvas printing I believe it's becoming a lost art.

This is tricky business and I wouldn't attempt it unless you were also making the prints.

I would agree with Jeff and suggest printing direct to canvas.

Doug