Artistic Photo Canvas (APC) Write-Up / Review
Gallery Wrap from Artistic Photo Canvas (APC)
I’ve experimented with a number of photo labs over the past year. I initially used my local Ritz store for quick turn arounds on prints, but ended up moving to Mpix when I started ordering prints with more volume. I ultimately settled on on WHCC for my printing needs, however. Their combination of speed, price and quality made me a loyal customer fairly quickly. In addition to ordering prints from them, I also ordered their float wraps for some of my pictures (you can read my write-up of that experience and review of that product here), but never got around to using their canvas printing services. In fact, it wasn’t until a recent offer from Artist Photo Canvas (APC) that I took the leap to gallery wrapped canvas.
A little over a month ago, APC made a limited time offer for 50% off a 16”x20” gallery wrapped canvas. I admit, that as a student, one of the primary factors holding me back on purchasing canvas prints was the price. The opportunity to purchase a canvas version of one of my photos at that much of a discount was too good to pass up. After using the gallery wrap options of Genuine Fractals (you can read my review of Genuine Fractals here) to create a version of my image according to their specifications, I uploaded the image to the website, placed an order, and waited to receive my very first canvas print. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect when I took my canvas out of the box, however, I could not be more pleased with the result. Though I don’t profess to be an expert in the preparation of gallery wrap canvases, the finished product looks superb. The colors match what I sent them, the image has excellent sharpnesses, and the actual wrapping on the frame is very well done. APC includes hanging hardware with all their canvases too, which made mounting the canvas on the wall a snap.
As I mentioned earlier in the review, I prepared the image myself. Since I’m kind of a control freak about how my pictures are cropped, framed, etc… this was the preferred option for me. APC does allow you to send in an image that they will resize and prepare for you if you prefer less hassle in your work flow. If you prepare your images yourself, then APC allows you to use their Photo Dropbox to get your image reviewed before placing your order. Though I’m pretty confident in Genuine Fractals ability to properly prepare the image, I like the piece of mind of having one of the APC artists take a look at my image before submitting my order. Additionally, I put a note in my order that says “This image has been prepared by Genuine Fractals and should be ready for printing, however, please let me know if there are any issues”. I have a friend who followed the same preparation procedure that I did, however, did not leave such a note, and the galley wrap came back incorrectly formatted. Thankfully, APC’s customer service is top notch and the error was easily corrected.
To summarize: my experience was with Artist Photo Canvas has been excellent. In fact, because of my positive experience, I volunteered to help test a new finishing option on their canvases (in a buy one, get one free type format). If you’re looking for canvas printing services, then I would give them a very high recommendation. Even if you’re not looking for canvas printing at the moment, then I’d recommend following APC on Twitter (user APCPro) just in case they decide to have another promotion in the future. I mean, what’s the worse that could happen? You end up with a professional looking canvas displayed on your wall?
