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Newbie Advice

Posted: Wed 06 Feb, 2019 12:12 pm
by ShapedByLight
I am sure you all know the answer to this, but some advice for a beginner please.
I have a client who wants to paste canvas poly cotton directly onto hardboard backing boards prior to varnishing and framing, I have tried using PVA applied with a roller to the board but this has not entirely been successful as the prints bubble and can easily peeled off.

Any suggestions would be welcome (clean ones anyway!).

Thanks

Joe

Re: Newbie Advice

Posted: Wed 06 Feb, 2019 12:22 pm
by prospero
Stretcher bars? :D

Canvases are frequently glued down to boards, but it's not what are designed to do.

If the canvas 'look' is called for, print them on paper. Drymount to board and laminate with canvas textured film.

Re: Newbie Advice

Posted: Wed 06 Feb, 2019 12:23 pm
by prospero
Welcome to the Forum btw. :clap:

Re: Newbie Advice

Posted: Wed 06 Feb, 2019 12:30 pm
by David McCormack
Welcome to the forum :handshake:

IF this has to be done then it can be done successfully. You need to apply plenty of wet glue and get the canvas print on quickly before any of the glue starts to dry out which can cause the bubbles. You then need to weight it all down overnight.

Are these inkjet canvas prints? Better to print with enough border to stretch on bars as prospero suggests :D

Re: Newbie Advice

Posted: Wed 06 Feb, 2019 12:39 pm
by ShapedByLight
Thanks for the advice. I have printed on canvas paper for the client for samples which would make it easier all round. I have also suggested that the canvas should really be on stretcher bars but she insists that's how her previous defunct framer had done them. I was wondering as the stock is a polycotton that the PVA being waterbased is not taking to it?

BTW Thanks for the welcome :D

Re: Newbie Advice

Posted: Wed 06 Feb, 2019 5:39 pm
by prospero
I think you are right to be concerned about the adhesion to a plasticy surface. :roll:

The previous framer is defunct is he? :Slap:

I used to laminate (paper) prints on hardboard more than 30 years ago. Coarse canvas texture.
Still got some of them and they are as good as the day I did them. :D

Re: Newbie Advice

Posted: Thu 07 Feb, 2019 12:19 pm
by lansonframe
We mount inkjet canvas prints onto 6mm mdf all the time .
Plenty of PVA glue applied with a roller - but you need to get the canvas on pretty quickly !!
Smooth out all the bubbles etc but we then put it through a cold roller which really helps the binding process.

We have in the past used a hand roller which works fine for smaller prints but when you get to larger pieces the rolling machine is a godsend.
We also print on a poly/ canvas blend which takes to the glue fine but we varnish the prints beforehand . :D

Re: Newbie Advice

Posted: Thu 07 Feb, 2019 1:57 pm
by Justintime
Why not use Dry mount film in a Hotpress? It was talked about on the recent Hotpress training day in Bristol.
Steve Goodall said that the drymount film acts as a barrier between the work and the MDF as well.

Re: Newbie Advice

Posted: Thu 07 Feb, 2019 9:45 pm
by thecreative
I mount 370gms inkjet canvas onto 6mm mdf board cut to size prior to painting on with acrylics, good quality acid free pva with decent layflat quality, plenty on the board, spread with a card or spatula especially on the edges, then a hand roller to work it down flat.

Works a treat no great mystery and cost effective - I only work up to A2 so over that you may need one of the techniques mentioned earlier.

Re: Newbie Advice

Posted: Mon 11 Feb, 2019 1:50 pm
by ShapedByLight
Thanks all for the advice.
I will have another go with the PVA and see if its my deficient technique that's causing issues. The prints are 990 x 300 so a little tricky to handle.
The dry mounting would be perfect but I don't have the space and the money at the mo to put one in. I did find in the odds and sods that came with the equipment some self adhesive rigid pvc foam board so might have a go with that too, but I suspect this might be a pricey option!

Re: Newbie Advice

Posted: Tue 12 Feb, 2019 12:55 am
by prospero
I've mounted many canvases using PVA. The key thing is keeping it under pressure while it dries. Release paper and
a foam blanket will ensure even pressure. Smaller ones I put in my venerable hard-bed press (no heat). Larger ones
I use two sheets of 3/4" chipboard with piles of books on top.

I would check the adhesion on the canvas first by sticking down a scrap bit and then trying to peel it off. :wink: