Canvas Wall Art (With a Geek Twist)

An easy way to make custom canvas wall art, with a geek twist! (yay fan art!)

I love getting inspired and unleashing my geeky side whenever possible and putting these images on canvas's was a fun and elegant way of displaying them! And now I get to enjoy some of my all time favorites everyday! : )

This project is super easy with minimal supplies and completely customizable to your style! Use your favorite images and/or photos!

Supplies Needed:

Tools:

• Staple Gun (find one here)
• Scissors / Paper Trimmer (here is the one I use)
• Paint Can Opener / Flat Head Screw Driver (find one here or use anything to help remove the original staples on the canvas)
• Computer
• Printer
• Iron

Materials:

• 1 Canvas (size of your choice, mine was 12" x 16" you can find the same kind here)
• Heat Transfer Paper (size should fit your canvas, I used 11" x 17", you can find the same kind here)
• Modge Podge (*optional* you can use this to seal your canvas)
• Staples

Notes:

You can iron your image straight onto the original canvas fabric but for a cleaner look I would suggest using new white canvas fabric (from the fabric store) as the original may have a waxy finish that can make it difficult to transfer your image smoothly.

Supplies Needed:

Tools:

• Computer
• Printer
• Scissors/Paper Trimmer

Materials:

• Heat Transfer Paper

Decide what image/images you would like to transfer onto your canvas.

For this project I went with a "geeky" theme and chose images from my favorite movies, shows & games. I found my images through some google searches and modified them a bit in Photoshop. I also added some inspirational quotes to go with each image to keep me motivated! "Dude, suckin' at something is the first step towards being sorta good at something." - Jake the Dog

Since I made more than one canvas to create a gallery, I found it helpful to plan out the arrangement first to make sure I liked all of my photos.

Next you want to print your images onto your heat transfer paper. Make sure to read the directions for your specific paper so you know whether or not you will need to flip your image. From my experience light transfer paper requires a flipped image and dark transfer paper stays as is but I would recommend reading the directions for your specific kind.

Trim your image if necessary, I used a paper trimmer to cut mine down to size.

Supplies Needed:

Tools:

• Paint Can Opener / Flat Head Screw Driver ( or anything to help remove the original staples on the canvas)

Materials:

• Canvas

Remove the canvas from the frame.

I used a paint can opener to pry up the existing staples.

Supplies Needed:

Tools:

• Iron

Materials:

• Canvas
• Image (printed on heat transfer paper)

Iron your image onto the canvas fabric. Make sure to read the directions for your heat transfer paper. For my image, I laid the heat transfer paper face down and ironed over the back of the paper. What worked best for me was applying slightly firm pressure and making slow passes over the entire paper. It took me about 1min the get the image fully transferred.

Peel off the paper backing once the canvas is completely cooled.

Notes:

It helps to make sure the edges are transferred completely so that the image does not tear when peeling off the backing.

Supplies Needed:

Tools:

• Staple Gun

Materials:

• Staples
• Canvas (with image ironed on)
• Frame

Position your canvas back onto the frame. It you are using the original canvas fabric it should still have some creases to help you guide it back on.

I started out by stapling one side to the frame. Then moved on to the opposite side, pulling the canvas to give it a tight bond.

Then repeated for the remaining sides.

Then your done!

*For a finishing option you can also seal your canvas with some modge podge to further protect it.

The last thing to do is hang your new canvas on the wall!

Or if you want to get crazy you can make several canvas and create a gallery! (like me!)