More About the Different Types of Prints

So you are looking for that perfect image for your home or office. You have narrowed it down to a few images that you like, but now comes the hard part, should you go with an acrylic print, a canvas print, a metal print, or an unframed print only? Well you’ve come to the right place. Knowing the features of each type of print will help you decide which will fit best within the space you are looking to enhance.

       

Acrylic

The Look

Acrylic provides a sleek, modern look which fits in perfectly with a modern décor. The face mount to acrylic process (see below) brings out the best in the image by enhancing vibrant colours, accentuating clear crisp details, and the acrylic provides a reflective property that gives a three dimensional look second to none.

The Process

The image is printed using a genuine smooth gloss, metallic paper designed specifically for the face mount process. The image is then mounted between framing grade acrylic and a protective backing where a recessed frame is applied for hanging. Once hanged on the wall, it gives the impression the image is floating off the wall.

How's It Hanging?

Acrylic prints are hung by using a screw, and leaving the head of the screw protruding 8mm (5/16 inch) out from the wall (ensure that the screw is long enough to do so. The screw can either be screwed into a stud or use a plastic anchor. While acrylic prints are light, two screws are recommended.
plastic anchor

       

Canvas

The Look

Canvas prints give your space an art gallery feel without being too overbearing. A canvas print can become a focal point of any room, while the soft texture of the canvas will give the space a warm ambiance. Adding an optional black float frame gives you the elegance of a framed picture with the luxury of a canvas gallery wrap.

The Process

The image is printed using the latest giclee printing techniques on museum grade, acid free, archival canvas. The canvas is finished with a high resolution canvas coating for outstanding reproductions and finished with a protective UV coating. The edges of the canvas are mirrored of the main image. The canvas is stretched on a 1 ½” stretcher and gallery wrapped with the image copied to the outer edges of the stretched canvas.

How's It Hanging?

Canvas prints come with a hanging wire, they are hung using a traditional picture hanger, nail and hook.

       

Metal

The Look

Similar in appearance to Acrylic, Metal prints are stylish and modern. The high gloss finish will accentuate any image’s rich colours and a sleek modern look. The look and feel of metal prints make it a perfect complement to a modern design.

The Process

The image is printed directly on an aluminum sheet by a process called dye-sublimation. The image first printed then transferred to an aluminum panel with a white high gloss finish resulting in amazing clarity, vibrancy, and depth. Just like the acrylic prints, a recessed frame is applied to the back of the aluminum so it too appears to float off the wall.

How's It Hanging?

Metal prints are hung by using a screw, and leaving the head of the screw protruding 8mm (5/16 inch) out from the wall (ensure that the screw is long enough to do so). The screw can either be screwed into a stud or use a plastic anchor. While metal prints are light, two screws are recommended.
plastic anchor

       

Print Only (Unframed)

The Look

The unframed print option is for you if you want complete control over what frame to purchase to complement existing framed art work or decor in your home or office. 

The Process

Most of the prints will be prepared on Metallic Photo Paper.  This is paper is similar to the paper used in the acrylic face mount prints, without the acrylic, the frame and better yet, the additional cost.  The metallic high-gloss surface produces vibrant, exceptional prints.

How's It Hanging?

Well that's entirely up to you, now isn't it?

       

A Final Note

Hopefully you are now armed with enough information to help you decide which print will work best in your situation. The Acrylic and Canvas Prints are available in all custom sizes. The size of metal prints are limited to the size of the precut aluminum panels. But if there is a picture you really like and ultimately decide you would like it in metal but that option is not available, you can contact me and with some cropping we can find a size that works All prints (except for the Unframed Prints) come ready to hang.