What Does Wrapped Canvas Mean? Understanding the Basics of Canvas Wraps

What is a canvas wrap?

So, what does a wrapped canvas mean? In short, it refers to the edges of the canvas prints that is wrapped around the internal frame which will be on show when hanging on your wall, it is not referring to the main front face of the canvas. There are many different canvas wrap options that you can choose from for your image and we are going to discuss these below. First though let's start with what a canvas print actually is...

What is a canvas print?

A canvas print is a way to display your special images in a modern and stylish way, instead of putting your image in a traditional frame and glass for example. The process involves taking your image and printing it onto a high-quality canvas material - which also adds a nice texture effect to the photo. This canvas is then stretched and wrapped around a wooden frame thus giving your image a gallery style look. Canvas wraps are perfect for both personal and professional use and they're a great way to add a touch of personality to any room. You can find out more how canvas prints are made here.

What are the different types of canvas wrap?

Let's dive a little deeper into the different types of canvas wraps and see which one would work best for your image.

1. First up is the standard wrap which is also known as the "original" canvas wrap. This type of wrap is ideal for images that have a lot of negative space, meaning there's a lot of empty space around the main subject of the image. The edges of the image are visible on the sides of the canvas frame, giving the print a unique and 3D feel. This type of wrap is perfect for landscapes, cityscapes, or any image that has a lot of open sky or water.

2. Next up, we have the gallery wrap, which is very similar to the standard wrap and perfect for images that you want to have a totally seamless look. Gallery wrap is great for images that have a focal point in the center and don't have a lot of negative space. A portion of the image is also printed on the sides of the frame, so this will mean that you need to ensure you don't have any important subjects right on the edge of your image that you want showing on the front face. Otherwise these subjects will end up being printed on the edges of the canvas. This type of wrap is perfect for portraits, still lifes, or any image that you want to have a polished and professional look.

3. The mirror wrap is quite similar to the gallery wrap but with a twist, the edges of the image are also printed on the sides of the frame, but the image is mirrored. This means that you will not lose any of your image from the front face and the image is essentially reflected around the edges instead. This type of wrap is perfect for images that have a lot of symmetry and want to create a unique and artistic look. It's perfect for abstracts, patterns, or any image that you want to have a modern and edgy look.

4. Finally, we have the colour wrap and as per all the other options, the edges of the image are visible on the sides of the frame and are coloured to match the image or to create a custom look instead of any of the image being printed on the edges. This type of canvas wrap is perfect for images that have a lot of negative space, like landscapes or cityscapes, and want to create a unique and artistic look. It's also perfect for images that have a bright and bold colour scheme and want to make a statement.

Can a wrapped canvas be framed? 

yes, absolutely and these are called floating framed canvas. It is where a traditional frame is added around the canvas which creates a magical floating effect for the canvas print. Find out more in a previous article we wrote about what is a float framed canvas?. Just remember if you are adding a float frame to your canvas, it's important to take note that the edges of the canvas will be barely visible with the frame over the top - so ensure you choose your edge wisely to ensure it works well with the frame.

In conclusion, the type of canvas wrap you choose will depend on the image you want to print, and the look you want to achieve. The standard wrap is great for rustic and natural images, gallery wrap for polished and professional images, mirror wrap for modern and edgy images, and color wrap for unique and artistic images. So, choose the canvas wrap that best suits your image and get ready to make a statement on your wall!

Take a look at all of our canvas print options.