There are many reasons why stretched canvas prints have become so popular over recent years. For a start, they’re lightweight, affordable and work with any home decor style. And, because you don’t need an actual frame with a glass front, you avoid any annoying reflections. Little wonder fine artists have been painting on them since the Renaissance, when they replaced wooden panels as the medium of choice.

A canvas print looks great on the wall of any home, but you don’t always have a single image that looks right when enlarged to that size. Instead, consider one of the following collage techniques to utilise multiple photographs (either digitally created or with print-outs) or design a simple artwork using coloured paper shapes.

Make a Digital Collage

Pick a single colour when creating your digital collage to print to canvas.

This digital collage technique requires a certain degree of technical know-how, mostly within a photo-editing or layout program, such as Adobe Photoshop. 

First, select the images you’d like to use for your collage. Choose from a colour range, like our example, or from a specific holiday or occasion. A set of photographs of a friend or relative arranged in chronological order can also make a wonderful birthday present. 

Create a document the same size as the stretched canvas then position the digital collage.‍

Create a document that mirrors the stretched canvas size exactly then use the guides to draw rulers on the page. Place your images into each spot, using layer masks to create perfect squares for each one.

Be prepared to spend time re-arranging the order. Some images will be perfect for corners or a central position, but others may need to be tried in different places until you find the collage formation that looks right to you. 

Hot Tip: In a composition like this, it’s best to avoid photographs with too much white, as it can appear like a hole in the design.

Once you’re happy with the layout, save your collage as a JPEG or PDF. Next, use the Print & Copy online service from Officeworks to select your preferred canvas size. Upload your collage file, then position it across the canvas until you’re satisfied with the overall look. All that’s left to do is proceed to checkout to have your canvas printed and ready for collection or delivery.  

What to Try

SEE ALSO: 5 Photo Wall Ideas to Decorate Your Home

Create a Photo Collage

If you don’t mind getting your fingers (a little bit) sticky, you can construct your photo collage by hand using actual photos. If you only have digital photos, that’s fine too. Just visit the Print & Copy department of your local Officeworks store and print them out. For this example, we choose a matt finish, but gloss is also available.

Choose a stretched canvas size then trim and place images for your photo collage.‍

Select the canvas size you want, from a 4 x 4” mini masterpiece to an epic 40 x 40". For this design we chose a 10 x 12” canvas. Then it’s time to experiment with the layout of your pictures, moving them around until you’re happy with the composition. 

You may want to trim the photographs further, adding emphasis to certain elements and creating more organic shapes. 

Use patterned paper in the background of the collage to fill in gaps between the images.‍

Now it’s time to stick the images down. We used varnish, but PVA glue is also an option, although you may need to mix this with a little water. The great thing about choosing clear varnish is that you can use it straight from the bottle and brush it onto the backs of your pictures.

When you have the composition how you want it, brush a layer of varnish over the whole canvas. This will hold everything together and also provide a consistent finish over the artwork. 

Hot Tip: Remember there’s no need to cover the entire canvas in images – too many can make your collage look cluttered. Try placing patterned paper behind the images to fill any gaps and provide some breathing space between pictures.

Add the final, unique touches to your aesthetic collage with stencils and cute stickers.‍

will take about an hour), it’s time to accessorise. Maybe there are some places on your canvas that seem a little empty, or perhaps you want to emphasise the theme of your collage with a word or two? Here’s your chance to go nuts with cute stickers, stencils and washi tape to really personalise your artwork.

What to Try

Once you’ve chosen your photos, this is all you’ll need to make an amazing photo collage.‍

SEE ALSO: Cool, Creative DIY Crafts for Everyone

Produce an Abstract Art Collage

Master of the cut-out, French artist Henri Matisse, referred to his paper collage technique as “drawing with scissors”. While most of us won’t be able to create masterpieces quite so effortlessly, this style of artwork is surprisingly simple and can yield beautiful, striking results.

Your artistic skills don’t need to be well developed to create an abstract art collage.‍

First consider different kinds of paper and their respective qualities. Coloured tissue paper adds a translucent effect to each shape, while patterned paper can add a texture to the visual. We also used watercolour paper and paint for more graduated blocks of colour, but be careful as this paper is significantly thicker than the other stock used. 

Combine watercolour paint and decorative paper shapes for your aesthetic collage.‍

As with the photo collage, always position all of the elements ‘dry’ first, so you get a good idea of exactly where everything will go once you get your brush out. When you’re happy, use exactly the same technique as before – varnish on the back of each element then a final layer over the entire composition to hold everything in place and add a beautiful varnished finish to your canvas. Be sure to put it somewhere safe until it dries, which takes about an hour.

Hot Tip: Don’t worry if any of the thicker paper doesn’t stick down completely on your first go – the final layer of varnish will help hold everything in place.

‍What to Try

Collect watercolour paint, scissors, varnish and an assortment of paper for a paper collage.‍

‍SEE ALSO: How to Make a Beautiful Photo Book