CanvasChamp Review | ePHOTOzine

 

 

 

Photography is a linear process with a definite beginning where photos are previsualized and captured, a crucial middle when the editing takes place and, finally, there’s the important end point where all your work culminates in stunning prints ready to hang on the wall.

For the crucial final step, you need a service that can deliver the quality output your images deserve and for that, CanvasChamp must be on your short-list.

 

CanvasChamp Key Features

 

While its name CanvasChamp tells you that it is an online canvas printing specialist, its product range is very extensive with imaging gifts, home décor and print products, and all at competitive prices. 

CanvasChamp is one of the largest printing houses in the market and has been around for over 20 years with its headquarters in the USA. Visit CanvasChamp’s website and there’s the option of seeing product availability and prices for the US, India, Australia, Canada and the UK.

For its canvas prints, CanvasChamp prides itself on the quality of its raw materials, which include latex printing inks and specially manufactured poly-cotton blend canvas with archival and water-resistant characteristics. If you need further reassurance, CanvasChamp offers a 60 day no-quibble return policy and a 99+ year guarantee on its canvas prints maintaining their vibrant look.

Service is quick, too, and in the US, over 100 custom products are ready to ship within 24 hours. If you don’t love the result, CanvasChamp offers free returns and a refund.

 

 

There’s no issue when it comes to choice from CanvasChamp. In the Canvas Shop drop down menu, there are various options including the Next Day Canvas Print service with sizes available from 7x5in to 30x20in. Prices are very attractive starting from $4.20 for an 7x5in canvas to $23.95 for the 30x20in. All quoted prices are before shipping and any extras you might add while ordering.

For even more options, the Canvas Prints service offers square, large and panoramic prints but there are also different shapes including triangle, oval and heart. Taking a closer look at the panoramic service there are eight sizes from 8x24in at $19.90 up to 20x54in at $59.46. If your tastes are for the more exotic, a 12x12in heart canvas is $26.95 and if you really want to make a statement to your loved one, much larger sizes are available, up to 48x48in at $690.09.

There’s the opportunity for creative presentations of your pictures too. You can have images presented as Diptych or Triptych canvas prints or as Custom Split Canvas prints. Diptychs start from 8x8in priced at $7.98 up to a two piece 16x20in at $29.20 but if you are looking for a centerpiece for the living room, you can be even more ambitious and go for a nine piece 10x10in set for $107.73 or an eight piece which comprises four 20x20in, two 16x24in and two 24x24in canvas prints and that’s available at $144.64.

Essentially, CanvasChamp can satisfy almost any need and you’re only limited by your imagination.

 

 

CanvasChamp Key Features

• Top value prices
• Excellent print quality
• First rate raw materials used
• Next Day Canvas Print service with popular sizes
• Easy to navigate and impressive website
• Archival standard canvas prints
• Canvas prints are easy to hang
• Step by step ordering process with options to embellish your order as you go along
• Proof option for $2.49 per image 
• Wide range of canvas products including split canvas, panorama and photo collage
• A huge range of photo gifts including magnets, clothing, bags and even Rubik’s Cube and yoga mat options
• A very long list of photo décor options from the usual framed and acrylic prints to blankets, rugs and doormats.
• Poster and aluminium prints option
• Dedicated customer support
• 10% discount off your first order

 

CanvasChamp Handling

 

Ordering via the CanvasChamp website wizard is really easy and there’s plenty of control and options to enhance your order as you progress. 

I registered an account, which is free, and all you need is an email address or you can log in via your Amazon, Facebook, Google or Apple iCloud accounts. Next, you have to pick a product style. For my test, I kept things simple and had two images to make two single canvas prints. The prices shown with each product do not include shipping which is added at checkout.

 

 

I exported the images from Adobe Lightroom as JPEGs to the computer’s hard drive. You can upload images from your Instagram too. The upload interface can accept PNG and BMP files as well as JPEGs with a size limit of 25MB. Larger files as well as other formats including TIFFs and Photoshop can be sent directly to CanvasChamp and the link is in the upload interface.

I dragged and dropped the image onto the product template; you instantly see a preview and the image position can be adjusted if needed. At the top right of the upload wizard, there are options to add text or clip art, plus there are three view options so you can view your photo on an imaginary living room wall or in 3D or 360° view. The 3D gives the choice of four views, but the 360° option is very cool and by clicking on the image, you can view a mock-up of the product from different angles.

 

 

Once you are happy, click on the right arrow to take you to the next step and here you can choose the Wrap and Border style before the next step of choosing hardware and color finish. There is also the option of adding a frame at this point with Standard and Premium selections on offer. 

Fitted hooks for hanging are free but if you prefer a Sawtooth Hanger fitted, that is an extra $4.99 and a Nail Free Hook is $3.99. For optional color finishes, original, grayscale and sepia are free but if you want your pictures to have a different look there’s a range of advanced options including the Andy Warhol or Lichtenstein look that is an extra $25.

The next step offers lamination and various retouching options. Opting for no lamination is free but Standard is an additional $5.49 and Premium is $7.99. The Premium service adds vibrancy to the print, adds years to its longevity and offers physical protection against fingerprints and pollution. 

For Minor retouching, which includes Dust/Scratch and Red Eye Removal, there’s an additional $12 charge. On this page, there is also the option to request an image proof for your approval before it is produced and this costs $2.49. That’s worth the money if you’re making a big canvas, especially if it is a time-sensitive gift and you want to get it right first go. I went for the option and received a link to the proof just over 30 minutes after receiving email confirmation of my order.

Your handiwork is almost good to go but there are two upgrade options to consider. You can opt for high definition six-color printing at $2.99 and to a thicker fabric at $4.99.

The next step is to pay for the order, and at this step CanvasChamp also helpfully visually suggests a number of photo gift options. 

All in all, the upload and ordering process was straightforward.

 

 

CanvasChamp Performance

 

CanvasChamp started strongly on performance. I uploaded and completed my order around 4pm on a Tuesday afternoon. I went off for a cuppa and when I checked my emails 40 minutes later I had an online proof to check. I clicked on the link and okayed the proof and I got another email a few seconds later thanking me for giving the go ahead. 

The following morning I switched on the computer and found a CanvasChamp email waiting for me. This told me that my images were in production and shipping would take place soon and I’d get a tracking number as soon as the order was dispatched.

 

 

The prints arrived safely and very securely encased in cling wrap and stiff card and it took a few minutes of careful work with a craft knife to unveil the prints. The small print was placed within the larger one but as the canvas of each print is backed by a thin piece of hardboard this was not an issue. That backing helped give a robust result but it is also the case that the wooden stretchers are solid, too, and there is no flex in the final prints. Finish was beyond criticism, with the corners smartly finished.

Both prints were fitted with mounting plates so you’re all set to get the result on the wall. 

As for the quality of the prints, I have to say that I was very pleased with what CanvasChamp produced. The 16x28in canvas featured a Venetian scene which was neutral and delicately colored, and the finished canvas did not disappoint with a full tonal range and no sign of any color cast. Lovely job.

 

 

Value for Money

CanvasChamp promises competitive prices for its canvas print service. In this test, I paid $12.60 for a 10x10in and $29.95 for a 16x28in canvas (shipping extra).

 

CanvasChamp Review Verdict

In this test, CanvasChamp proved a very capable service. There’s a massive product range to satisfy almost all tastes and domestic scenarios, the ordering process couldn’t be more straightforward and the results are first rate and impressive. Print quality was excellent with lovely color, very good sharpness and contrast – and this was with the standard printing option. Prices are very competitive, too. 

If you’re looking for the perfect finish for your photographs that you have invested money and time to produce, CanvasChamp could be the answer, so give them a try.