This case documents how a 60 inch wide 380gsm poly-cotton inkjet canvas roll became the single stock behind a gallery wrap art print programme running eco-solvent and latex lines. The objective: one canvas serving stretched art prints for galleries and hospitality interiors, without the media reprints that eroded margin on the previous 260gsm cotton stock.
The client operates an art reproduction and interior decor business, supplying stretched canvas prints to gallery retailers, hotel refurbishment contractors and online art platforms. Output is dominated by stretched pieces between 60 x 90 cm and 120 x 180 cm. Two production routes run in parallel: an eco-solvent wide format printer for short runs and an HP Latex press for volume work.
A 380gsm poly-cotton canvas (35% cotton / 65% polyester) in 60 inch x 30 m rolls was introduced as the single media for the programme. Three properties drove the decision:
| Stage | Setting Applied | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Media loading | 60 inch roll, 2 inch core, tension set to manufacturer profile | Prevents skew on 30 m runs |
| Printing | Eco-solvent at 720 x 1440 dpi; HP Latex at standard heat and 280% ink limit | Stable density without coalescing |
| Drying | Instant dry to touch, stacked after 10 minutes | No offset on stacking |
| Coating | Spray fixative on aqueous pigment output only | Scuff resistance on handling |
| Stretching | 38 mm bars, corner fold with staple spacing 15 mm | Square corners on deep wrap |
| Packing | Corner protectors, kraft wrap, double wall carton | Transit damage control |
| Measure | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Media SKUs stocked | Two canvases, solvent and latex | One 380gsm poly-cotton roll |
| Roll end curl jams | Approximately one roll in five | No take-up unit intervention reported on standard runs |
| Corner cracking on deep wrap | Recurring on 120 x 180 cm pieces | Cleared on batch pull tests |
| Reprint driver | Media faults and corner failures | Profiling and artwork errors only |
| Surface durability | Marked on handling | Wipeable matte face holds on damp cloth test |
The gain was the combination, not one property. A 260gsm canvas with the same coating would still have cracked at the corners, and a heavier cotton canvas would still have demanded two SKUs. The poly-cotton blend also adds dimensional stability that pure cotton lacks in humid climates.
Can one roll run on eco-solvent and latex machines?
Yes. The coating is profiled for both, so a single media entry covers both presses.
Is a fixative needed?
Not for eco-solvent or latex output. For aqueous pigment prints, apply a spray fixative before stretching.
What roll widths are available?
Standard 60 inch, with custom widths from 24 inch to 126 inch produced to order.
We supply 380gsm poly-cotton inkjet canvas from a Guangdong coating plant certified to ISO 9001:2015, with OEM and private label programmes for distributors. Roll samples ship within 48 hours, and minimum order starts at one square metre so you can validate the stock on your own machines first.
