Just an update:
I decided to do 2 20x30 and 2 20x24 canvas prints through Wolf Camera. They had them half off and I figured I'd give them a try.
First I'll start off with the process. This can be done on ritzpics.com I think, but I went to the store. One of the most critical things is dealing with the software for uploading and dealing withthe images. Unlike other places, Wolf only does a complete wrap. On all but the 8x10 canvas, they use 1.25" wraps. They do not have a choice for the "mirrored" look or just a black/white edge wrap. Now this can be done if done ahead of time and in photoshop. Basically, one could take the image and drop it onto a black or white layer and make it larger than the image to cover the wrap. Of course the exact size of border would depend on the size of canvas. The lady at Wolf says that this works out usually fine, but there are times that for whatever reason, the image doesn't always line up exactly and the border used can either end up on the front of the canvas slightly or the image wraps to the edge slightly. In the end, I just adjusted the pictures to be wrapped. Also keep in mind that the larger the canvas print, the less percentage of the image that is on the border. In the end, I just adjusted my images to be wrapped. For me, this was slightly difficult because many of my images have significant subject matter/content going to the edge of the image frame.
Now my thoughts on the final product:
1. Color
The color was dead nuts in my opinion. I had 4 of my waterfall pictures done, and the greens, browns, and grays were spot on. I did not notice any significant color cast to what I was expecting them to look like. These were in sRGB and I was worried that the color might be off. The only complaint is that there were some areas of one of the images that does have some slight red fringes showing chromatic abberations in the on-screen image. These are not very significant in the image. However, on the print, the CA showed "wider" than what it is on screen as a percentage. From a reasonable viewing distance, I can't notice it.
2. Canvas Material
The material itself feels pretty thick. The only complaint is that its slightly more textured than I would prefer. I think a smooth cloth type material would have have looked more "photograph" like. This heavy textured material makes the photos look more like paintings that photographs, but, I don't mind this for the images I chose. I'm not sure if this material would have been satisfactory for architecture or portraits. I agree with Ray in that because of the material and texture, detail close up isn't as evident as it would be in a traditional print. The ink they used appears to be more satin, but because of the texture of the canvas, looking at off angle can show the texture up of the canvas. Overall, it looks like it will last a long time.
3. Ink
From best I can tell, the ink looks fine. I think a little less sheen would be prefered, but overall I am pretty happy with that.
4. Construction.
They seem pretty well built, if not a little lighter than I would have though. They but a black mat board on the back, so they are closed in the back. I actually thought this was a nice touch, but one has to wonder if they do this to hide the quality of the wrap. The wrap comes with a heavy duty hanging tab on the back for either landscape or portrait mode. I think I would have prefered a hook and wire type attachment, but overall the tab feels pretty solid and is attached to the wood frame pretty well.
5. Overall
Overall I'm pretty happy. The colors are spot on and they feel reasonably constructed. While I have my own quibbles like I mentioned above, I think for the half off price they are a good value. However, I think if I was going to pay their full price, I would have looked elsewhere for more options and flexibility. I do not think portrats of people or architecture would have looked very good on these canvas prints. They are perfectly fine for landscapes and probably better suited.
