DIY Photo Canvas Grosgrain Tutorial: Take 2

July 14, 2011

So, the last DIY Photo canvas I tried came out....okayish. If you were using that technique on a smaller scale in black and white it would be much easier to do without air bubbles.


This is my second attempt. This time I went a completely different direction and used Spoonflower to print a picture onto a linen canvas sheet. The nice thing about using Spoonflower is that you only have to buy one yard and you can make it up to 53" wide! Now, that's big!

When I got it in the mail I laid it out and ironed it flat.

Then I bought 3 strips of 1.5" wide wood at 8' long from Home Depot and cut them into 3- 34.5" strips, 2- 53" strips....
....and used a staple gun to connect them together.  
 Until I had this frame.
 Finally I drilled screws into all the joints to make the frame.
 Then I painted the linen canvas over with Matte Medium. It dries clear. Two coats.
Then I stapled the canvas at top middle, stretched it as much as I could and stapled it at bottom middle. Then did the same with the left and right middle.
After that I kept working my way around the frame stretching and stapling as I went.
Be sure to wrap canvas and staple to back of frame, not sides.

Some other tips. Don't oversaturate your photo in Photoshop or another editing software when using Spoonflower. Remember that you need room to wrap your canvas around the frame so leave some space for that on the fabric.


$27.00 = Printed canvas from Spoonflower including shipping
$9 = Matte Medium
$8 = Wood for frame
$44 = Total for a 36"x53" frame.


Another suggestion. A Box of Chocolates, suggested Artscow for their good prices. I checked them out and they do have some good deals. Something that you can try is having them print out your picture on canvas without a frame and you stretch it over a canvas yourself. It's cheaper that way. You can get a 36"x48" canvas for only $50. But they also have stretched canvas photos for up to 24"x20" for only $50.

13 {comments}:

Kimberly said... Best Blogger Tips

I'm definitely going to have to do this.

Kimberly said... Best Blogger Tips
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jen @ My Own Road said... Best Blogger Tips

Looks awesome! I never thought to try this myself, thank you for the tute!

Kasey McKay said... Best Blogger Tips

now THAT is a great idea - i didn't know you could print photos at spoonflower. i'm definitely doing this. thank you for the constant inspiration!

Jane Sews said... Best Blogger Tips

I feel silly asking but what is matte medium?

Grosgrain said... Best Blogger Tips

@Jane SewsIt's basically clear acrylic. I believe you can buy it at most art stores. I bought mine at Michael's for $9 with a 40% off coupon. You could also try modpodge. I didn't use it with the fabric canvas but I don't see why not.

BluBabesCreate said... Best Blogger Tips

I really like this!

www.SoooBig.com said... Best Blogger Tips

What a great idea! I'm going to have to try this! It would make a great gift for the grandparents. . .
Crystal
http://www.SoooBig.WordPress.com

Sherry said... Best Blogger Tips

This is so cute. I have done this on a small scale in B&W and it turned out great.... I think a larger one might be in my future. Cheers!

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said... Best Blogger Tips

Hi Kathleen,
I love the balloon idea for Lily. We did that with out son years ago...but I don't think I took pics...can you believe? Such a great pics...Lily will always remember that birthday!
Also...just wanted to say, I sent you a couple of emails but not sure if you got them...please let me know if you did.
Thanks! :)

Sarita said... Best Blogger Tips

Hi! Great tip. I just tried to make one myeslf, but have a question. How did you get the photo to take up the entire fabric (without repeating it)? It will only let mine be a certain size. Would appreciate any tips you have!

Sarah

Sarita said... Best Blogger Tips

Hey! This is wonderful. I have a technical question though. I tried to do it, and my picture wouldn't take up the entire fabric unless I repeat it...which i don't want at all. Any tips, i noticed your picture fills out the entire fabric. Would love some advice!

Sarah

test said... Best Blogger Tips

Such a beautiful photos.I am a big fan of canvas printings.Thanks for sharing this.
Please some more post about stretched canvas.

 
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