The Stackhouse Blog

Explore our latest articles on art printing, tips for artists, insights on materials, and more.

July 12, 2022

Art Printing vs. Canvas Printing: What’s the Difference?

The distinction between art prints and canvas prints lies primarily in the material used for the print. Art prints typically utilize paper material, while canvas prints, as their name suggests, are printed on canvas. This leads to noticeable differences in texture and thickness between the two types of prints. Despite these differences, both types share a common goal: to reproduce original artwork with fidelity and quality. The Stackhouse uses state-of-the-art printing techniques to provide custom giclee canvas paintings and art prints that meet high museum-quality standards.

July 12, 2022

For true professionals in the fine arts and photography world, creating prints of pieces that took many hours can seem like a stressful process. How can a print truly capture the hard work that went into the original? The best way to ensure your work is thoughtfully recreated is to create prints using the highest quality materials possible, which is where archival pigment inks come in. This article will dive deeper into what archival pigment ink is and why it’s the better choice for you. What Is Archival Pigment Ink? The purpose of archival pigment ink is clear in its name—it’s designed to create something that lasts long enough that it could be archived for a long time without degradation. Specifically, archival pigment ink is made from solid, opaque pigments suspended in an ink solution. These solid particles provide the color of the ink and are extremely color-fast compared to something less permanent like a dye. The ink’s color is determined by the crystalline structure of the pigments that float inside it. Why Do I Want To Use Archival Pigment Ink? Now that we know what archival pigment ink is, let’s discuss why it is better than its alternatives. For a professional artist or photographer, archival pigment ink is the only choice to ensure a print lasts as long as possible and looks its absolute best. Below are some of archival pigment ink’s best qualities. Long-Lasting Prints An average, everyday ink is fine for most people, but it will start to fade in a relatively short amount of time. Because of their crystalline structure and solid particles, archival pigment inks don’t fade anywhere near as fast as typical inks do. Prints made with archival pigment ink can often last entire lifetimes without fading as long as they are well taken care of. Powerfully Bonds to Paper Besides their ability to resist fading over time, archival pigment inks also create an immensely powerful bond between them and the paper they are printed on. The chemical composition of the ink, as well as the method of printing with it, helps ensure that the bond between paper and ink is incredibly strong. This bond is important for resisting the effects of warping and moisture over time. Intense Coloration While the long-lasting nature of archival pigment inks is one of their greatest strengths, so too is their overall vibrancy and intense coloration. Trying to use regular ink to recreate a painting made through the use of pigment-heavy mediums like oil paint will never fully capture the color quality of the original piece. With archival pigment ink, however, it becomes much easier to create a print that retains the subtle color balances of the original. For fine art printing services that you can trust to create incredible prints, turn to The Stackhouse. We’ll help you create prints of your work that you’ll be excited to share with the world.

What Is Archival Pigment Ink & Why Is It Better?

Archival pigment ink is the preferred choice for professional artists and photographers who want to ensure their prints capture the essence of the original artwork. With its long-lasting properties, powerful bonding to paper, and intense coloration, archival pigment ink produces high-quality prints that can last a lifetime. Trust The Stackhouse for fine art printing services that will showcase your work in the best possible way.

July 12, 2022

How To Create High-Quality Canvas Prints That Sell

Creating high-quality canvas prints that sell requires considering various factors, from catering to different niches and offering size options to finding the right online platform and focusing on simpler artwork. Using high-quality ink and paper, as well as investing in a quality scanner, ensures the prints reflect the original piece's vibrancy and clarity. At The Stackhouse, we can help you create canvas board prints that maintain the integrity of your artwork while facilitating distribution to buyers.

July 18, 2022

Ways To Maximize Your Photography Exhibit’s Success

Maximizing the success of your photography exhibit involves establishing a theme, selecting your best work, tailoring your invitation list, marketing and promoting the event, creating relationships with manufacturers, and owning your craft. At The Stackhouse, we specialize in premium photo printing using archival pigment inks and inkjet technology to ensure your photographs shine and make a lasting impact.

July 20, 2022

3 Ways To Prevent Canvas Prints From Fading

To prevent canvas prints from fading, it's important to keep them away from humid and damp environments, avoid direct sunlight exposure, and protect them from extreme heat. Sealing prints with a giclee gloss coating provides added protection. At The Stackhouse, we offer custom rolled canvas prints to ensure your images can be transported without damage.

July 21, 2022

A Guide to Fine Art Printing: What Artists Should Know

Fine art printing, also known as giclée printing, uses archival ink and high-quality materials to create professional-grade photographs. It differs from photo printing, which reproduces photographs on light-sensitive material. There are various techniques in fine art printing, such as etchings, screen printings, lithographs, oleographs, and giclée printing. The process of creating fine art prints involves formatting files, setting image resolution, monitor calibration, sharpening images, test printing, and final printing and certification. Copyright law protects artists' intellectual property. For fine art printing needs, consider The Stackhouse as a reliable vendor.

July 27, 2022

Why Is Canvas So Popular for Art Reproductions?

Art reproduction on canvas has become popular due to its attractive finishes, life-long durability, straightforward hanging system, modest pricing, and easy customization. Canvas prints utilize high-quality materials and can withstand wear and tear, making them suitable for both personal and professional use. The Stackhouse offers canvas prints mounted to sturdy backing for long-lasting reproduction.

August 4, 2022

The Most Common Materials Used in Giclee Printing

Giclee printing stands out from other printing techniques due to the use of high-quality materials. The process involves professional inkjet printers, archival paper, archival ink, and sharp digital images. Archival paper is durable and acid-free, while archival ink has a longer lifespan and superior color tone. The Stackhouse offers art printing services to ensure the highest quality prints with no compromise on fine details.

August 10, 2022

Should You Frame Canvas Prints? Here’s What To Consider

When deciding whether to frame your canvas prints, consider your personal aesthetic and the intention behind your project. Stretched canvases are extended over stretcher bars, while unstretched canvases can be displayed as-is or framed for an elevated look. Framed canvas prints offer a refined, polished look with a floating illusion, while unframed canvas prints make a bold statement. The Stackhouse provides high-quality loose canvas prints using museum-quality materials and inks.