And now that it’s summer… maybe it’s time for the holiday art to be put away? You think?
Just as I had decided I really needed to deal with this problem, I got an e-mail asking whether I’d like to try UPrinting. The timing could not have been better. I had decided that I’d need to do some sort of large-format print myself, since I needed horizontal art and nearly everything I’d found online that I liked was vertical.
I got to work creating my 16 x 20 files. I used Illustrator, but you could create images a million different ways. I made simple overlapping silhouettes of flatware, and a sentiment I loved. “If we feed you – we do love you.” It applies to our children, our dogs, and our visitors. I chose Blackout for the font and did my arranging, saved the files as PDFs and hopped over to UPrinting to upload my files and create my rolled canvases. You’ll find them under “Canvas Prints” in the left-hand menu.
UPrinting provided one for me to review and I bought the second (and paid for the shipping) with my fingers crossed that I’d be happy with the results. So glad I did.
Here’s what I uploaded.
I was/am really impressed with the quality of the canvas and the print. The colors are bright, clear and smooth. Nothing about them, even with close inspection, says “a digital printer printed me”.
So to put my canvases to use, I took my frames apart. I put the original mat and glass aside and used the sturdy backing board from the frame to wrap my canvas around.
If you’re using an open-back frame that doesn’t come with a backing board you can use, I’d suggest these canvas boards. You can get them at most craft/art supply stores for a few dollars a piece.
I laid my canvas print down on my cleaned-just-for-this-special-occasion kitchen countertop and lined my backing board up on the center. To get your canvas nice and smooth on the front, start by carefully but firmly pulling it taut in the center in one direction and taping it with a sturdy tape like duck tape. Then do the center in the other direction. You’ve got to use strong tape. Masking or gift wrap tape will give up faster than a four year old trying to tie shoelaces. Start in the center and work out to the corners. Starting with the corners will lead to wrinkles.
Trim the bulky corners a bit.
And that’s all there is to it. Slide them into the frames and hang them on the wall.
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Molly @ Me and Madeline says
Great idea! Now maybe I can actually spring for canvas!
And the prints are adorable. :)
rachael says
awesome!! love them :)
KimR says
I love it Susan!
Lauren M says
Love these Susan!
Emily says
Those look great!!!
Rose D. Frenchtown, NJ says
They look fantastic!! I have “walls” of shame at my house!! Work at home mama of toddlers who takes more photos than I print or frame. Thank you for the great idea.
Jess@craftiness is not optional says
adorable! love them! I still have a picture frame (in my entryway no less!) with some random people in it that I don’t know…gotta change that sooN!
anniemac says
Very cool!
Stacey says
Ha! I have to laugh about the Dad comment. I ordered a very cool vintage frame from an Etsy dealer around Christmas and have yet to put anything in it because a. I can’t decide what to put in it and b. I’m mulling over painting over the gold paint. When my parents were visiting last month, I looked up one day and found a picture of my dad’s famous monkey drawing in the frame.
Randi~Dukes and Duchesses says
That looks great … those are really fun prints and I love the vibrant colors! Your Dad’s comment made me laugh!
Beverly {Flamingo Toes} says
These are so great Susan!! I love how colorful they are! Great job!!
Kelly Rowe says
Love it! Super cute design too :)
j.k.lanier says
Susan, those prints look fantastic! I love the colors, and how it fits in the space you choose.
xoxo,
Johnnie
Saved By Love Creations
East Coast Creative says
Susan, I love what you did for the campaign! They look awesome! Will you make your printable available for purchase? I love the pop of color and I too have some walls of shame (we moved in 2010 too!)
Thanks!
Monica (and Jess)
crafterhours says
Thanks, Monica! I just added them to our shop. :) The campaign came at just the right time!
Taryn says
Beautiful! Love the look!!
Hayley @ Welcome to the Mouse House says
I love this and you know I love your counters!!!
Melissa Zimmerman says
Hi Susan! I am an interior designer outside of Philly. My client found your blog and fell in love with the pictures you created. I don’t know how you would go about this and/or charge for it, but would you be willing to sell a copy of the .pdfs you created? We will probably not print on canvas, but rather on some type of paper and then use frames from wexelart.com (check them out – pretty cool stuff for future art hanging projects!), but she loves the colors and the saying. Please let me know!
Thanks,
Melissa
Susan says
Oh yay, thanks! Sure, I’ll e-mail you.