Digital downloads are available everywhere these days. You can get artwork delivered to your inbox within seconds, but then what? There are many possibilities and I’m going to show you one. Here’s how I turned my digital download into canvas artwork.
FIND ARTWORK
The first step is to choose artwork that really speaks to you personally. There are many places to search for a digital download such as Etsy, Vintage Supply, Collection Prints, Juniper Print Shop, BFF Print Shop… just to name a few. I picked this art because I’ve been loving the charcoal on canvas look.
Purchase your digital download and make adjustments as needed. I ended up cropping the original horizontal image so that I could display my print vertically. I even darkened the image a bit so it would stand off against our white walls.
GET IT PRINTED
Next, you will need to get your digital download printed. I am getting my digital artwork printed onto a canvas fabric. There are many places that offer canvas printing, such as Office Depot and Staples. I decided to get my art printed through Spoonflower, an online store where you can print your own fabric. Simply upload the digital download that you purchased and follow the settings below.
- REPEAT: I don’t want my image to repeat, so select “center”
- CHOOSE A FABRIC: I chose Cypress Cotton Canvas
- CHOOSE A SIZE & AMOUNT: I needed two yards to fit my artwork. You may need more or less depending on how large or small your canvas will be.
BUILD A FRAME
You’ll need to build a basic wood frame to attach your canvas artwork to. My husband made this really simple frame out of 1×2 boards for me. Basically create a frame the size you need and add a few supports. We added supports in the corners and one long support in the middle of the frame.
ATTACH YOUR CANVAS TO THE FRAME
Once your receive your printed canvas fabric it’s time to turn it into canvas artwork. Be sure to iron out any wrinkles on your canvas fabric and then lay it face down on the floor or other work surface. Center your wood canvas frame on top of the artwork the best you can.
Start stapling your canvas to the frame, leaving the corners for last. Be sure to pull tight on the canvas as you wrap it around the backside. And don’t worry if it doesn’t come out perfect, they’re just staples. You can simply pull them out and start over if needed. Continue to work your way around the frame stapling fairly close together, maybe every 1-2 inches.
When it comes to the corners, you basically wrap them like a present. Pull the corner to a point, fold it to one side, and then fold it over the backside of your frame and staple.
THE FINISHING TOUCHES
At this point you can hang your canvas as-is or add a frame. I chose to add a frame to mine. I’ve got all the details on making a canvas frame on this blog post. With this canvas I wanted a thinner frame, so ended up using ½ inch boards instead of 1x2s and painted them black.
This is such an easy way to turn your favorite digital download into canvas art! What are your favorite shops for digital artwork?
SOURCES
Stallions artwork | Whitewashed Terracotta Urn | Faux Green Petal Leaf Branch | Lamp (from Home Goods) | Console table (similar option) | Rug
*This post contains affiliate links*
Grace Reed says
I love it! May I ask what the cost was? Thanks!
Erin says
Thank you Grace! The digital download was $15 and sometimes they have discount codes. The printed canvas fabric is $33 per yard but they almost always have a discount code as well. I think my 2 yards was just under $60 total.
Other than that I just used some wood we had on hand. So all-in prob $75ish? Less than that depending on the size canvas you create. I think mine is 3’x4’
Denise Lindley says
Beautiful ! I am also wondering about the cost to have something that size printed on canvas.
Denise Lindley says
Nevermind. I apologize. I see it now. All the responses were not loading for me before.
Erin says
No worries!
Erin says
Glad you found the info you needed!
Katy says
Hi! This is an awesome tutorial! I want to follow it exactly but am not sure where to find that stallion print? Where can I find that? Thanks!
Erin says
Thank you Katy! I found a new link for the artwork: https://rstyle.me/+EVJ_guFzl3Z6GVzrrykKZQ
Virginia says
Thank you for the instructions. Your framed art looks great!
Erin says
Aw thank you so much Virginia!
Huynh says
Was für Holz nimmt man zum einrahmen?
Liebe Grüsse
Sandra Huynh
Erin says
This wood is oak, 1/2″ thick
Kayla says
How much did the final piece cost? It looks beautiful, but I know spoonflower can be expensive sometimes
Erin says
I needed two yards of the cypress cotton canvas and it was about $66.
Suzie says
How do you get it printed onto the canvas? Is it on iron on transfer sheets and pieced together on the canvas ironing it that way? I see nothing stated about this step. Is this also a good way to get family photos on canvas?
Thank you
Erin says
I printed it on canvas fabric through Spoonflower. The instructions to do that are right on the blog post under “Get it printed”
Bethany says
Great idea! Do I need to pick artwork with a certain minimum resolution since it’s going to be “blown-up” so much larger? If so, what are some resolutions numbers for a few different enlargements, including huge?
Can I enlarge family and pet photos that I take with my phone or is a special camera needed? Thanks!
Erin says
You will need to work with a pretty high resolution image. Usually a photo taken by a professional photographer will work. I think Spoonflower suggests a resolution of 150 dpi
Bethany Anderson says
Thank you, that’s very helpful. You saved me from being disappointed as I was going to send several photos I’d taken with my phone, to an online company that enlarges them and puts them on canvas. Just like you used. Whew.
Erin says
No problem! Good luck with your project!
DS says
Looks great, thanks for sharing. My grandsons need art in their rooms so I’m going to have them help with making something they like.
Erin says
Aw that is a great idea! Lucky grandsons!
Toni DeBenedictis says
Wow! That looks so cool…and thank you for the detailed “how to”. Saving this post.
Erin says
Thank you Toni! No problem! I hope you give it a try
Krista Garner says
Thankyou, this is great
Erin says
You’re welcome Krista!
Patty says
It looks amazing! Thank you for sharing the canvas and your instructions. I’m excited to try this!
Erin says
Thank you Patty! I hope you give it a try
marisa says
I am confused why you bought two yards of fabric? Was that absolutely necessary? I am looking to fill a horizontal canvas that is 36×56 and I am wondering why you bought two yards for a canvas that is 36×48. Let me know, thanks!
Erin says
I’m not sure, I did this some time ago. I’m sure it just had to do with the size of the canvas I made.
Helena Pierotti says
Oh my god, that’s amazing!! I’m inspired, thank you. Love the artwork you picked out to put on canvas.
Erin says
Aw thank you Helena!
Lisa White says
Hi Erin!
Not sure when you originated this post, but thank you for your information about printing, stretching and framing art on canvas – really helpful!
I’m kinda really loving your style and the same “Stallions” art work, but tried all your links and can’t find the site to purchase a digital download.
Any hints on how I could obtain this?
Have a beautiful Easter!
Lisa
Erin says
Thank you! I found a new link for the artwork and updated the post. Here is the link:
https://rstyle.me/+w08BIa9GHnPInltL_QGLcw