Photo canvas to cover acoustic panels? Would it work?

[Alan A]

Many thanks, in advance, for any responses.

I already have 15 four inch acoustic panels filled with 703 or eight pound mineral wool, covered with acoustic cloth. (My home theater room is 18' x 32' with brick in front and brick on one wall, and wood panels on another wall)

I am considering adding five more acoustic panels. These will be hung where I have spot lights illuminating the walls. The purpose of the lights was to illuminate my photography, and hang framed photos in those locations.

Now I'm considering printing my photos on photo canvas, and using the canvas as the cover on acoustic panels, rather than framed photos under glass.

Photo canvas is not porous. It is coated for printing. You can't blow through it. I assume it wouldn't allow high frequencies to pass through it.

My question is whether such panels containing 705 or eight pound mineral wool would still absorb mid to low frequencies? Since bass waves can penetrate walls, I assume the mineral wool should still function as bass traps and maybe even into the mid frequencies, even if the cloth covering is coated. I also assume that I'd be better off for this purpose to have the panels thicker at 4" even though 2" would look better for this purpose. But 4" would be better bass traps.

If this would work, I could still hang my photos on canvas, and get the added benefit of some sound absorption. A double benefit. That would, of course, be in addition to the 15 panels I already have, that would continue to be covered in acoustic transparent cloth.

Would it work? Would 4" panels, filled with 705 or mineral wool, but covered in non-porous and coated photo canvas, still absorb bass and mid-frequencies?

Or would they absorb zero, in which case photos in frames and glass, or photo canvas stretched on wood frames, would be a better idea.

Thanks again for any responses

[tINY]

Yes, it should still work to absorb the lower frequencies.

You might do a search on "dye sublimation printing" ....




-tINY

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by tINY

Yes, it should still work to absorb the lower frequencies.

You might do a search on "dye sublimation printing" ....

I saw some posts on dye sub printing. I'm not certain as to the difference between dye sub printers and digital printers of the type made by Epson, Canon and HP. Those printers are fairly common though. I'll bet every forum members knows a photographer with a high quality 17" printer, and you might just know someone with a 24" printer.

I already own a 24" Epson printer. I can make the prints myself at a far lower cost, and control the printing and reproduction myself, resulting in better quality.

Anyway, thanks very much for the response. I agree, it should work for low frequencies, since bass can cut through dry wall, let alone a piece of canvas!

This would be a great way to show off your own photos and get some acoustic benefit at the same time!

[Weasel9992]

It'll work great for lows...the only problem is that you really won't know what it's doing up higher. It'll certainly be reflective at some point.

Frank

[Glenn Kuras]

Dye sub is when it is dyed on to the fabric which will not clog up fabric which can cause problems. We actually do Dye Sub printing on panels.
GIK Acoustics: GIK ArtPanel

[Richie]

You can Dye Sub print onto poly fabrics but you wont get the photographic quality of an epson print on canvas. Plus, try finding a dye sub printer that wants to handle units of 1, there is too much setup involved. Depending on the size you are after, you can use Transfer Paper and print it yourself, the heat press is the hard part as quality transfers require them.

[Weasel9992]

Originally Posted by Richie

You can Dye Sub print onto poly fabrics but you wont get the photographic quality of an epson print on canvas. Plus, try finding a dye sub printer that wants to handle units of 1, there is too much setup involved. Depending on the size you are after, you can use Transfer Paper and print it yourself, the heat press is the hard part as quality transfers require them.

We do one-offs all the time. Most of our Art Panels are one-of-a-kind.

Frank