Help & FAQ
Guides, explanations and answers to the most common questions about Canvas Print Hero.
The complete step-by-step guide covering all features, settings and keyboard shortcuts.
Topics
The three modes: Single image, Multi-panel & Collage
Canvas Print Hero offers three working modes that can be switched in the top navigation bar. Each mode has its own workflow and settings.
Single image
The default mode. Exactly one photo is prepared for exactly one stretcher frame. You choose the canvas size, the crop and the edge extension method. This is the classic workflow for individual canvas prints.
- Ideal for: Individual portraits, landscapes, fine art prints
- Export: One file per image (TIFF, JPEG or PDF)
- Batch: Export multiple images with the same settings at once
Multi-panel (Triptych & Multi-Panel)
A single photo is split across multiple stretcher frames. The result is a multi-panel wall piece where the panels are hung side by side and together form the complete image.
- Ideal for: Panoramas, large wall art, decorative triptych arrangements
- Layouts: 2-panel, 3-panel (triptych), 4-panel, grid, asymmetric and more
- Wall gap: The spacing between panels is taken into account when splitting
- Wall layout view: Shows a wall sketch with all panels, dimensions and spacings
- Export: One file per panel
Collage
Multiple photos are combined into one canvas print. A WYSIWYG editor allows free arrangement of the images on the canvas.
- Ideal for: Photo collages, collections, gifts, portfolio displays
- Templates: 9 pre-made layouts (2-up, 3-up, 4-up, 5-up, asymmetric...)
- Styling: Border, shadow, rotation, opacity per image
- Background: Colour or background image with drag positioning and zoom
- Export: A single file with all images combined
| Property | Single image | Multi-panel | Collage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Input | 1 photo | 1 photo | Multiple photos |
| Output | 1 canvas | Multiple panels | 1 canvas |
| Crop | Freely adjustable | Per panel | Per image |
| Edge extension | Yes | Yes (per panel) | Yes (overall) |
| Templates | — | Panel layouts | Collage templates |
| Edition | All | Pro | Pro |
What do the wrap methods mean?
In canvas printing, the image is wrapped around the stretcher frame. The edge extension (wrap method) determines what is visible on the sides of the frame — the 2–5 cm that fold around the edge.
Mirror Wrap
The image edges are mirrored and used as the edge extension. This is the most popular method as it looks seamless and no important image content is lost.
- Advantage: Looks natural and professional
- Disadvantage: With strong patterns at the edge, the mirroring may be visible
- Recommendation: Best choice for most images
Color Fill
The edges are filled with a uniform colour. By default the average colour of the image border is used, but you can choose any colour.
- Advantage: Clean and minimalist
- Disadvantage: May contrast with the image
- Recommendation: Great for images with light/dark edges or when a modern look is desired
Stretch
The outermost pixels of the image are stretched across the full edge depth. This creates a soft, gradient-like effect.
- Advantage: No abrupt transition
- Disadvantage: Can look streaky, especially with high-contrast edges
- Recommendation: Works well with images that have uniform edges (e.g. sky)
Average Color
The average colour of the entire image is used as the edge extension. Similar to color fill, but automatically calculated.
- Advantage: Always harmonises with the image
- Disadvantage: Can result in a muddy brown tone with colourful images
Image Wrap
The image is continued beyond the edges. A larger crop of the original image is used for this. The image content on the edges is therefore "real".
- Advantage: No artificial effect, the image "flows" around the frame
- Disadvantage: Part of the image disappears on the edge and is not visible from the front
- Recommendation: Ideal when there is enough "space" at the image edges
Stretcher bar depth, overlap & back margin
Three parameters determine how much additional image area is needed for canvas printing. They are configurable in the print settings.
Stretcher bar depth
The thickness of the wooden frame around which the canvas is stretched. Common values are 20 mm (slim/gallery) and 38–40 mm (standard). The depth determines how wide the edge extension needs to be.
- 20 mm: Slim, modern, more affordable — fits better on narrow walls
- 38–40 mm: Standard, looks more premium and gives the image a "floating" effect
Canvas Print Hero berechnet automatisch, wie viel Bildmaterial für die gewählte Tiefe benötigt wird.
Overlap
The overlap is a small image addition that prevents parts of the stretcher bar edge from becoming visible when viewing — especially if the printed canvas is not perfectly aligned on the frame. It essentially covers the rounding at the edge.
- Recommended value: 3 mm (ideal in most cases)
- Added on all four sides
- Considered as a "shift" of the image towards the edge
Back margin
The back margin defines an additional white margin on the back of the canvas. This area can be used for edge labels (filename, date, canvas size) and the logo.
- Typical value: 0–30 mm
- Fold/cut markers are also printed here
- The logo (if configured) is placed in this area
Understanding DPI quality check
Canvas Print Hero instantly shows you whether your image has enough resolution for the chosen canvas size. The indicator works like a traffic light:
- Green (150+ DPI): Excellent print quality. The image is sharp and detailed.
- Yellow (100–150 DPI): Acceptable. At normal viewing distance (1–2 metres) the result looks good.
- Red (below 100 DPI): Low quality. The image will appear blurry on closer inspection.
What does DPI mean? DPI (Dots Per Inch) describes how many image dots are printed per inch. The more dots, the finer and sharper the printed image. The DPI depends on two factors:
- Image resolution — the number of pixels in your photo (e.g. 6000 x 4000 pixels)
- Print size — how large the canvas is in centimetres
A 24-megapixel photo (6000 x 4000) is sufficient for a 100 x 70 cm canvas at approx. 152 DPI — just within the green range.
Fold and cut markers
Canvas Print Hero can embed fold and cut markers directly in the export. These lines help with the precise stretching of the canvas onto the stretcher frame.
Fold markers
Indicate where the canvas needs to be folded around the edge of the stretcher frame. They run as thin lines along the edges of the visible image area. Additionally, two markers in each corner allow precise positioning of the print on the stretcher frame.
Cut markers
Mark the outer cut edge, in case the canvas needs to be trimmed after printing.
Staple markers
Small markers on the overlap showing where the canvas should be stapled to the stretcher frame.
All markers are optional and can be individually toggled on and off in the print settings.
Batch processing
With the batch function you can export multiple images at once with the same settings. Load multiple images into the filmstrip (bottom), configure the canvas size and wrap method once, and click "Export all".
- Standard edition: Up to 10 images per batch
- Pro edition: Unlimited batch processing
Progress is displayed in real time during export. Each image is exported as a separate file in the chosen format.
Export formats
TIFF
Lossless format at full quality. Recommended for professional printing. The embedded ICC profile is preserved. File sizes can reach several hundred megabytes for large canvas formats.
JPEG
Compressed format with adjustable quality (default: 95%). Suitable for printer software that does not support TIFF, or when storage space is limited. ICC profile is embedded.
The image is embedded as a PDF with correct dimensions. Useful for printer software that prefers PDF, or for sending to print service providers.