You have an awesome photo print that you want to hang above your living room sofa. You’ve got decisions to make. Where will you put your print, and what size do you want? You want to choose the right medium for your print too. It affects the finish, color, style, perception, and more. Canvas, metal, acrylic, and archival quality photo papers with different finishes and qualities are popular choices. Choosing a high quality, professional grade material that enhances your subject matter and gives the desired presentation effect makes a huge difference in the finished product.

How to Choose a Material for a Photo Print

A boutique printing shop like Print Partner offers a wide selection of sizes, mediums, and display options, and their service team is comprised of photographers and artisans who know how to translate a digital file into a beautiful work of art for your home. Their quality printed products are made using state-of-the-art technology and techniques, and the reproductions are crafted and quality-inspected to the highest archival standard. Below, we’ll explore some of the qualities of different mediums that top tier printing services offer, using Print Partner’s selection as prime examples.

Canvas

A classic choice for painters, a fine art quality stretched canvas provides a solid base for digital images with its superior image clarity and sharp details. A thick 2-over-1 Oxford weave pattern provides a luxury feel with the highest colour density. The finish is semi matte with a 21 Mil thickness and 400 gsm weight. This translates to durability with a museum grade finish. The printer stretches the canvas onto quality wood to ensure it doesn’t sag or warp over time, and large canvases come with a back strainer for complete support.

Acrylic

Face-mount acrylic prints give a clean, borderless look with a vibrant glassy surface. Acrylic has light refracting effects that allow colors to shine with brilliance, and it is a more modern alternative to traditional canvas. If you’re looking for crisp detail with a multidimensional appearance, this material is a perfect choice. The image is printed onto metallic or glossy professional photo paper. Then, it’s mounted onto framing grade acrylic with a protective UV coating that will guard against fading.

Metal

They use a unique sublimation process that infuses the pigment right into the metal surface. This provides outstanding clarity, vibrancy, and exceptional resolution. Metallic prints are durable, withstand environmental degradation, scratches, and wear. Digital art and spectacular photographs appear in HD quality with a modern, borderless presentation. A choice of finishes is available to suit the subject matter and the desired style. Use a glossy white if you want your colors to pop, and a glossy white enhances details too.  Portraits and group shots have a more subtle, realistic look on matte white.

Photo Papers

Archival quality, gallery grade photo papers go above and beyond the average paper you’ll find at a big box store or office supply depot. A boutique shop will offer a wide range of traditional RC high quality papers and 100% rag fine art papers. Combined with advanced professional printing hardware and techniques, your photo paper prints will amaze. Choose from Fine Art, Enhanced Matte, Supreme Gloss, Luster or Satin, Metallic, Baryta, and Satin finishes.

If you’re not sure which material to choose, consult with the expert staff. They know what will work best to suit your preferences.