Summary: The Business Case in Brief
Many companies use their large-format printer purely for utilitarian purposes: Line drawings, schematics, the occasional poster. The rest of the time, it just gathers dust. Meanwhile, the Marketing department orders expensive canvases and photo panels from an online print shop to brighten up the boring white walls of the conference room. This is capital destruction. Your own HP DesignJet (e.g., the T650) (Z-series) or even a good T-series can print perfectly well on Canvas.
- Print your own project photos (completed buildings).
- Print your own mission/vision statements in beautiful typography.
- Print acoustic panels (textile absorbs sound). It is cheaper, faster, and more flexible. You can change the interior every quarter.
The Material: Canvas and Textile
You cannot just feed a painting canvas from a discount store into the printer. You need Inkjet Coated Canvas.
- HP Artist Matte Canvas: A beautiful, heavy cotton/polyester blend with a coating that absorbs ink without feathering.
- Stretching: After printing, you stretch the canvas around a wooden frame (stretcher bars). Anyone with a staple gun and a little patience can do this (or have it framed).
- Texture: The texture of the canvas immediately gives the print a “Premium” and artistic look, far more than smooth paper in a frame behind glass (which causes glare).
The Application: Corporate Identity
- The Architect: Fill the lobby with A0 canvases of your 5 most beautiful projects (‘Portfolio Wall’). When a potential client walks in, they are immediately convinced of your capabilities.
- The Contractor: Print canvases of “The Team at Work” (people with helmets, smiling). This radiates humanity and craftsmanship.
- The Real Estate Agent: Give a canvas of the home (or a historical photo of the street) as a gift when handing over the keys.
Business Fundamentals: ROI of Decoration
A canvas of 100x70 cm easily costs € 80 - € 120 online. Printing it yourself:
- Ink: € 4.00.
- Material (Canvas): € 15.00.
- Wooden frame: € 10.00.
- Total: ± € 30.00. You save dozens of euros per item. But the real gain is the flexibility. Is the project finished? Put a new canvas over it.
Tips for the Workflow
- Crop Marks: Print slightly larger than the frame (the “Bleed”), because you have to fold the edges over and staple them to the back. Allow at least 5 cm extra on each side.
- Varnish: For extra protection (and gloss), you can coat the canvas with a varnish roller after printing. This makes it wipeable with a damp cloth.
- Choose the right printer: For canvas, a Z-series (Pigment) is recommended because of its lightfastness. A T-series (Dye) is also possible, but do not hang it in direct sunlight (fading).
Europlan Service: Complete Starter Kits
We supply not only the rolls of canvas, but also the stretcher bars (in packages, easily assembled without tools) and the varnish. We turn your technical printer room into a creative studio.
Conclusion: Be Creative
Your printer is a creative multi-tool. Use it as such. An inspiring work environment increases productivity and impresses visitors. And the best art is your own work.
Would you like to feel a canvas sample?