I’d like to try painting on polyester canvas. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to find artist polyester canvas where I live; equally difficult is getting untreated, “loomstate” polyester fabric. Easy to find, though, is polyester canvas for inkjet printing, and plain polyester canvas from the fabric store. My question is, are either of those an acceptable substitute, and safe to prime with acrylic gesso? I’m concerned that washing the canvas wouldn’t properly remove the coatings it would have, causing adhesion problems for the gesso. Perhaps it would be be wiser to stick with cotton and polycotton canvases, made for artists, until a source for artist polyester canvas becomes available? Thank you.
Sorry Brian, I should have mentioned that I’d be painting with oils, and that the polyester would be glued to ACM panel. (I’d like to be able to prime the ACM panel directly, but so far I’ve had no luck finding an effective bonding primer for it.) I remember that polyester-canvas-on-dibond was recommended as a very durable support by Michael Skalka of the National Gallery on an online forum. Although I may have wrongly assumed that he was including oils in the discussion…In any case, the hope is that polyester is as durable and resistant to acids as advertised. The canvas would be primed smooth, so the rather mechanical weave isn’t a concern. What is a concern is how the material is perceived by clients; unlike linen, there’s not a lot of romance attached to polyester. Thanks again for your help.
Thanks so much Brian; any advice would be appreciated. Trying to choose a polyester, or even something like hemp – another common fabric difficult to find as an artist canvas – from sources outside the art store can leave one feeling quite lost and unsure about the quality of the product.
If artist’s poly canvas isn’t easily available, I think matte finish polyester fabric for inkjet printing would be a better choice than something from the fabric store. The former is intended to accept water-based ink, while the latter may have coatings and finishings that could repel sizing and primer, as well as unstable optical brighteners. I would avoid glossy, coated cloth for exterior banners. Where artist’s polyester canvas is concerned, especially when stretched as a flexible support, we recommend using an acrylic-based sizing to impart stiffness, reduce strike-through of the primer and to enhance adhesion with the acrylic ground. Matthew Kinsey, Utrecht Art Supplies
Two things first. What is the attraction to polyester as a substrate for you and what type of paint are you planning to use on the polyester? I generally worry about the the overly flexible of polyester for any paint media other than acrylic dispersion paints. Let is know that and in the meantime I will ask some of the other moderators their opinions.
Your additional info adds a lot to the discussion, especially your intention of adhering the polyester to the rigid support. I have far fewer misgivings about everything knowing this. Michael Skalka is actually one of our moderators and I will see if he has anything to add. I have also sent out an email to a couple of other authorities as well so please check back for additional information.
I understand your frustration about availability of suitable fabric from locally. It is important to be wary of fabrics from common fabric stores as Matthew Kinsey, pointed out. The sizes that are used in these fabrics to resist the effects of water and reduce wrinkling are often very different than those that are appropriate for sizing a traditional painting. Is this a matter of availability or economy? If the former, where do you live? Perhaps there is a source for fabrics specifically offered for artists closer than you think.
Thanks Michael. Great response.
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