Where Not to Hang a Canvas Print
Do not hang a canvas print in direct sunlight. That is the big rule. Canvas will fade over time if the sun hits it, so the wall you choose matters more than almost anything else about the piece.
Spring flowers line the California hillside overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. From here, I snap this stunning photograph of the Golden Gate Bridge, perfect for any wall in a home or a office.
Additional Information:
Please allow 5-10 days for printing and shipping.
I have the ability to print custom sizes and material (like wood, gatorboard, etc.). If this interests you, please reach out to dj@dalton-johnson.com for a free quote with the size and material you desire.
I will be honest about where I stand on canvas for this photograph. The colors in my Golden Gate Bridge print are vibrant, with yellow wildflowers, a blue sky, a blue ocean, and a red bridge. Canvas absorbs a lot of light, which can make those colors look a little dull compared with paper or metal. I would choose paper or metal first. That said, canvas has real strengths, and some people love the soft look, so here is how to use it well.
The strength of canvas is that it absorbs light. That means it has almost no glare. You can hang it across from a window or under a lamp, and it will not shine back at you. That makes it an easy choice for a bright room where glare would be a problem for metal.
The weakness is fading. Direct sunlight wears down the color on a canvas over time. It does not happen in a week. It happens slowly, which is exactly why people forget about it until the colors look flatter than they used to.
The walls to avoid are the obvious ones. Skip a wall that gets direct sun for part of the day. Skip a spot right next to a big south facing or west facing window where the sun pours in. Skip a place where a beam of afternoon light crosses the wall. It is a little ironic for a sunset photograph, but the real sun is not kind to a printed one.
Walls that work better are bright but not sunny. A wall on the far side of a room from the window can be ideal. A hallway, a shaded wall, or a room with a window that faces north tends to be safe. If you are not sure, watch the wall for a day. Notice when the sun crosses it. If a patch of light ever lands on the spot, pick another one.
You can also manage the light. Curtains, blinds, or a sheer can cut down the sun during the brightest hours. That gives you more choices about where to hang the print.
Price is worth a mention. Canvas usually sits between paper with a frame and metal. On larger sizes it can cost more, partly because it has to be built and shipped. If you are considering a large canvas, compare the price of all three before you decide.
If the only wall you have gets strong sun, I would switch materials rather than watch the colors fade. Metal has high UV protection and is the most durable, though it is usually the most expensive and it has a lot of glare. Paper with a frame is the cheapest option and is a good all around choice.
A word on care. Canvas is forgiving, but it is not indestructible. Dust it gently with a dry, soft cloth, and keep it away from kitchens where steam and grease can build up over time. The same goes for a bathroom that runs hot after every shower. Steady, moderate conditions keep the fabric and the color in better shape, and they cost nothing. Placement, once again, does most of the work.
The print comes in seven sizes and ships in about 5 to 10 days. If you want to talk through your wall, I am happy to help you choose.
Go check out all the prints by Dalton Johnson.
About the Author
Dalton Johnson is a photographer, writer, and filmmaker who tells stories about real people pushing themselves in the outdoors, from the High Sierra to the far reaches of every continent. He has shot and written for brands, tourism boards, and editorial outlets, including Nike, Patagonia, Four Seasons, PBS, GoPro, and Ford, with more than 160 campaigns and hundreds of published articles to his name. Off assignment, he bikepacks, trail runs, swims open water, chases big waves, and rock climbs.
