ORDERING LARGE ITEMS

At KeenART Media, we create custom orders for a vast range of products, from canvas prints and framed artwork, to plaque and plexi face mounts. But what happens when you want to order a really large product? This article explains our process for creating big pieces, and the shipping costs and considerations you should be aware of when ordering a very large art or decor product.

SUMMARY PRODUCT NAME MAXIMUM SIZE DETAILS Canvas Prints 5 feet x 12 feet Limited by max. print size and stretcher bar size; Resin available up to 72x48" Framed Fine Art Prints 5 feet x 10 feet Wide frames: 5x10 feet; Narrow frames: 5x7 feet; Plexiglass up to 4x7 feet Plaque Mounts 48x72" Dry mounted on MDF; Edges bevelled and colored Plexi Face Mounts 30x60" Dry mounted between aluminium di-bond and plexiglass Aluminium Di-Bond 44x68" Limited by vacuum press size; resin coating available Foam Board/Gatorboard/Sintra 44x68" Limited by vacuum press size; resin coating available Matboard 32x40" Some colors may be available in 40x60" Cradled Art Panels 36x48" Panels are available in pre-cut sizes; Contact us for custom sizes

CANVAS PRINTS

At KeenART Media, you can order large Giclée canvas prints for display in art galleries, living rooms or hallways, offices and conference rooms - anywhere you require a single, big artwork to fill an empty wall or garner a lot of attention. Canvas print sizes are limited by two factors: the maximum print size allowed by our Epson ink jet printers, and the maximum length of the wooden beams used to create the stretcher bar frame. MAXIMUM SIZE 5 feet (60") by 12 feet CANVAS PRINT We print on rolls of canvas that are 64 inches wide. If you are ordering a gallery wrapped canvas, or plan to wrap it yourself, the maximum image size is 60", to allow for the excess required to wrap around the stretcher bar frame. (If you are simply planning to pin the print to the wall, or display it in some other way, the print can be 62" wide.) These canvas rolls are 40 feet long, which means the print length is not limited by printing capabilities. STRETCHER BAR FRAMES Stretcher bars are constructed in a custom size for each gallery wrapped canvas print order. Long pine beams are cut and nailed together to create a frame onto which the canvas print is stretched and fastened (for more information, read our Canvas Prints article). Maximum stretcher bar frame size is determined by the length of the bar. Beams come in lengths of up to 12 feet, so that is the maximum length available. Because the frame is completely concealed behind the canvas print, the framer is able to place additional wood supports along the length of very large frames, ensuring the bars are strong enough to support the finished weight. The corners will be supported as well, by short beams at a 45° angle. RESIN COATING Any canvas print up to 72x48" can be coated in resin for a rigid, high shine finish with a three-dimensional effect. There is an extra charge for resin coating, and it will increase the weight of the canvas. Some canvases will require a plywood backing behind the print to support the weight of the resin.

Large stretcher bars, with 48x20" print for reference A panoramic stretcher bar frame, pool table for reference

FRAMED PRINTS

MAXIMUM SIZE Thick (<2") picture frame mouldings: 4 feet x 6 feet w/ plexiglass; 5 feet x 10 feet w/out plexiglass Thin (>2") picture frame mouldings: 4 feet x 6 feet PRINTS Depending on the type of paper you choose, we can create paper prints up to 64" wide. Again, the rolls of paper are very long, so print length is not limited by the printer. If you opt for a rolled print with no frame, there will be no oversize charge, as your print will be shipped in a tube no more than 5 feet long. There are a few considerations to be made when ordering a very large framed print. PICTURE FRAME MOULDING The wood or metal that is used to create your picture frame comes in long strips called moulding. These strips are cut to size and connected to create your frame. Depending on the style and brand, the strips of moulding may be 8 to 12 feet in length before they are cut down. The length of your picture frame is technically limited by the length of the moulding. We do not recommend ordering a picture frame with a thick moulding (2" or more) that is more than 10 feet long, or a picture frame with a thin moulding that is more than 7 feet long. Most picture frames require plexiglass and backing in addition to the print, and this weight becomes too great for the moulding once you exceed a certain length. Unlike the stretcher bar frames for gallery wrapped canvas prints, extra vertical supports cannot be placed along the length of the frame. OTHER LIMITATIONS Matboard Framed prints are often bordered by a mat, which creates space between frame and print, and draws the eye to the image. Most matboards come in 32x40 inch pieces, so it is not possible to mat an image requiring an outer mat dimension larger than that. Some of the more popular colors are also available in 40x60 inch. Plexiglass While the backing of a large framed print could theoretically be made from two separate pieces, the plexiglass glazing cannot. Therefore, framed prints with glazing are limited to the 7 foot x 4 foot dimensions. At this size, the plexiglass is extremely heavy, so a frame this large would not be advisable.

Attaching a large raw canvas to the frame Stretching a panoramic print onto stretcher bars

MAXIMUM SIZE, OTHER PRODUCTS

Plaque Mounts 78x48" A print on fine art or photographic paper is dry mounted to a sheet of 3/8" thick MDF hardboard. The surface is laminated and the edges are bevelled and colored. Plexi Face Mounts 30x60" A print on glossy or metallic photographic paper is dry mounted to a sheet of aluminium di-bond. A sheet of plexiglass is then dry mounted to the front of the image. Dry Mounting 44" x 68" Includes: Aluminium Di-Bond Foam Board Gatorboard Sinta Maximum size is dictated by maximum surface area of Vacuum Dry Mount Press. Matboard can also be dry mounted. Maximum size is 32x40" for most colors, 40x60" for some colors. Prints can be dry mounted on pre-cut wood Cradled Panels as well, up to a maximum size of 36x48". RESIN COATING Any dry mounted print can be resin-coated for an additional charge. This will increase the weight of the product.

Large stretched artist canvas, 120x86" table for reference

DETERMINING OVERSIZE

We determine oversize items based on the restrictions set up by the shipping companies. While we are happy to build frames and stretcher bars for any size print we can produce, we must take into consideration the excess charges applied by shipping companies for very large and very heavy items that may be difficult to fit in the truck, or heavy enough to be a danger to their employees. We use FedEx for most of our oversize shipments. The maximum size they accept without surcharges is a girth of 130 inches. Girth is determined by adding the length of the package to the full width around: length + [(width + height)x2]. For example, a box that is 42 x 30 x 3" would have a girth of 108" and would not be considered "oversize." If a package shipping with FedEx has a girth between 130" and 165", it is considered oversize and will be subject to an additional fee. If the package is over 165" (or has a length of greater than 108"), it must be shipped via FedEx Freight, which results in a higher charge. Note: Most shipping companies also list a maximum weight they will ship. FedEx has a shipping weight limit of 150 lbs to commercial addresses, or 70 lbs for residential addresses.

Stretching a large canvas

OVERSIZE CHARGE FACTORS

As soon as you have selected an oversize item when placing your order, you will see a notification reminding you that excess shipping fees will apply. Because we offer free shipping on orders over $149, most oversize orders will save the regular shipping, and only be charges the excess amount. The extra cost charged to the client for an oversize order can be anywhere from $20 to $80 per package, and depends on a number of factors. We determine oversize charges on a case by case basis, and only charge to cover our costs, never to make a profit. THE SPECIFIC SIZE The size of the oversize shipment plays a part in determining the additional cost. If the package is oversize, but still under the 165" limit, an oversize charge will be added. If the package girth is more than 165" - therefore requiring freight services - the charge will increase. Weight is generally not an issue for the type of packages we ship, but customers should be away that extremely heavy items may be subject to extra charges even if they do not exceed the size limitations. SHIPPING DESTINATION The farther the package is being shipped, the higher the oversize shipping charge. This factor will also play a part in determining the additional shipping fee charged to the client. It is important to note that rush orders on oversize items may incur additional charges on top of the rush fee. It is more expensive to ship something in one or two days across country, than it is to ship it in 5 to 7 days. VALUE OF PACKAGE FedEx may charge an additional fee for shipping packages of high value. For instance, a package with a value of more than $200 will be charged an extra fee of around $30. This fee is never paid by the customer, and will always be covered by KeenART Media.

Gallery wrapped canvas, 100x56" Artwork: Don Pettit table for reference Panoramic canvas, 144x48" table for reference

LARGE PRODUCT ALTERNATIVES TO OVERSIZE

If you do not want to pay the additional oversize fees for your large print, or you are concerned about the safety of shipping a large item, there are some alternatives that still allow you to order a large print from our company. ROLLED PRINT You can choose to have your canvas or paper print shipped to you in a tube, instead of stretching or framing. This means you will need to find a framer or business who will build a frame and stretch your canvas in your own area, but you can rest assured that your print will be safe on its way to you. MULTI-PANEL PRINTS If you need us to frame or stretch your print, multi-panel artworks are a popular option. Instead of ordering a large, 24x60" print, you can order three (or more) 24x20" prints, each one depicting part of the single image. There are multiple advantages to this method. The smaller panels are easier to ship, safer to move, and lighter to hang. They can be hung in a variety of ways, cascading down the wall or staggered across. You will also receive a volume discount on the canvases or frames if each piece is the same size.

A four-panel canvas print

Large artwork or photographic wall hangings can make a great statement piece in a big room, over a staircase, or in a long hallway. At KeenART Media we custom build every order, and so can meet any of your large print requirements. If you have any questions about the production or delivery of oversize orders, or any of our other products or services, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our knowledgeable staff are always happy to answer your enquiries and provide suggestions or advice.