Have you ever seen a reproduction of an old master painting on a poster, and then seen the original in a museum? The difference is only in the material: the reproduction is only a photo print on paper, which looks flat and lifeless and lacks texture, while the original is painted directly onto canvas, which has a beautiful nature texture visible to the eye. Canvas also brings out the best pigments in the painting. What's more, its subjects look truly alive and human - look into the eyes of the Mona Lisa and you will feel she is looking back at you. This masterful artistic effect can only be achieved with canvas.

Have you ever looked at your own photos after they have been printed and thought they seemed kind of lifeless - that they didn't truly capture the emotion, vitality and artistry of the shot?

Well, try the latest new thing: photo printing on canvas. It makes your photo prints truly special, its texture bringing out the life and beauty of your image. Capturing the shot is only half the battle; all the beauty of the original shot can be lost in an instant with a bad print. It might seem like an unusual idea, but that's what has been attracting so many people to it recently, including professionals, business people, artists and amateur photographers. It is an unusual idea. Printing your photos on canvas is an artistic way of displaying your photos, a special, thoughtful gift for a loved one.

Canvas printing involves a lot of laborious and delicate work, and it's best to entrust the job to true professionals in the business who will do the job with care and skill won from years of experience. Wouldn't you rather receive a gift that's been lovingly and carefully worked on rather than one that's been spat out by a printing machine? That's what you get when you choose canvas over paper. Canvas printing truly offers the human touch. It has to be worked on by hand, to stretch, seal and frame the material. The print also has to be protected by using only the finest materials. The print has to be made with UV-resistant pigments and sealed with a water-resistant sealer. Canvas printing, all in all, is not an impersonal process like paper printing. Spend some time, thought and care on a gift, rather than money, and you will realize the true joy of gift-giving.

You might think that such a process would involve great expense, especially when you take into account the amazing quality of the print and its unbelievable durability (it lasts a good hundred years if you take care of it). But it's surprisingly cheap - a basic print comes for less than $30 at some of the best companies. More customized prints also come at reasonable rates. It's more than worth it for the human touch. What's more, with a reputed company, you will get a full guarantee on the product if you're not completely satisfied. Try it out. You have nothing to lose.