one more question then, would it be cheaper to just buy the canvas at $180 and have it stretched and framed or would it be about the same just to buy the canvas gallery wrapped at $280, then have it framed?
I'll try to answer that. It really depends on who you would use to get your canvas stretched. If Michaels, then use that coupon to get a good deal. From there, you can also get it framed from them.
"Gallery Wrapping" IS strectched when done. The difference is that normal stretching is usually done with much thinner stretcher bars, which allow you to use a shallower frame style if you desire. Gallery Wrapping is the same as stretching except that we use 1.5 inch stretcher bars that make the canvas stick out from the wall 1.5 inches. It also is designed to be displayed without a frame, which is what some people are doing today. My canvases come with a printed border to "Wrap" around the top,bottom and sides giving it a finished look on it's own without the expense of a frame, which is the idea : )
Once it is Gallery Wrapped, you can still frame it, but you will want to choose appropriate frames to compliment that 1.5 inch stretcher bar. I've seen many combos of framed pieces that were initially Gallery Wrapped, then later framed.
It's all a matter of taste and budget. This is exactly why you see a wide price range because not everyone has the room or budget for a full-blown canvas ( which is the most expensive process to create and involves more labor. The canvas itself is much more costly than the paper and needs to be hand-coated by me to varnish and seal each and every one). Some prefer the Paper Giclee and some a more entry-level lithograph. Lithographs look very nice ( And I use the best line screen, inks and papers available ), but the four-color process to create them has a limited color gamut compared to the much more expensive Paper Giclee, which is a twelve color process on much more costly paper, giving you a quality level that makes the difference in price.And it's bigger in size with the case of Tauriel and Legolas.
I have people of all walks that collect Fine Art, from college students to retired folks, and all in between, so I try to serve them by offering this range.
Sorry for the long response, but there were a few questions in this thread on this subject. I hope I answered you guys,.
JV