Hanging Large Canvas Prints

by · Posted in: photography techniques

The below photo shows an interesting way of dealing with an enormous canvas print. The print was created on an epson 11880 printer and printed on Breathing Color's Chromata White canvas. The print uses the full width of a 60 inch roll and measures about ten feet high.

Canvas Print

Although the Breathing Color canvas is tough and durable (and makes great prints), working with a print this size is difficult; the canvas creases easily and mercilessly shows dirt. We originally tried hanging these with grommets but the results were unsatisfying. Getting the print to hang straight without folds was too hard. With these, the ends of this print are pressed between split logs (about 3 inches in diameter). The screws holding the two halves of the logs together also go through the edge of the canvas securely holding the print in place. The canvas is strong enough to support the weight of the lower log which stretches the material relatively smoothly. The entire assembly is then lifted into place with a rope attached to the top log that goes through a pulley attached to the ceiling joist. This makes it possible to change the print without climbing up a huge ladder. Long eye-bolts were placed behind the top log to keep the print away from the wall. The smaller prints on either side are hung by resting the top log in metal brackets. It's a little extra work but beats trying to stretch the canvas in the traditional manner and looks much better than simply tacking the prints on the wall.