Metal, Acrylic, Canvas, or Paper: Which Photography Product Should You Choose for Your Prints?
- Photography Product #1 Metal Prints
- Photography Product #2 Acrylic Prints
- Photography Product #3 Canvas Prints
- Photography Product #4 Paper Prints
- Where to Order Photography Products
- Recommended Photography Gear
- These Acrylic Photo Prints Will Elevate the WOW Factor of Your Photos
- Expert Tips for Printing Photos
Photo by Sinenkiy via iStock
One of the most important steps in the photography process is printing. Transforming your favorite images into prints allows you to breathe life into your digital memories and bring them into the physical world. However, deciding which photography product to choose can be challenging, given the wide array of high-quality options available today.
In this printing guide, we’ll compare and contrast four popular photography products: metal prints, acrylic prints, canvas prints, and paper prints. Each medium offers unique advantages and disadvantages, and understanding those differences is crucial to selecting the perfect one for your images. Furthermore, we’ll share one of our favorite websites for ordering photo prints.
With that in mind, join us as we dive into the magical world of printing and discover which photography product best suits you and your needs!
Table of Contents
Photography Product #1 Metal Prints
Metal prints have seen a huge boom in popularity over the last few years because of the creation of new technology that made them significantly cheaper to manufacture. While in the past, only the rich could afford them, now you can find awesome metal prints starting at around $20.
How do metal prints work? They are made using metal sheets, and the images are dyed or infused directly into the metal. We suggest looking for ones that use ChromaLuxe® aluminum sheets because studies have shown they last longer than other photo substrates. You can get glossy, matte, or satin metal prints.
A huge advantage of printing on metal is its durability. You can hang metal prints up outside without worries, and if properly cared for, they can last multiple lifetimes. Courtesy of their vibrant colors, they pair well with street photography, cityscapes, and photos of sunrises/sunsets.
Photography Product #2 Acrylic Prints
Next, let’s talk about acrylic prints. They are versatile, modern photography products made from a long-lasting plastic compound. Acrylic prints have bright and bold colors, making them ideal for landscape and travel photography. Moreover, since acrylic is UV resistant, you can display them proudly in rooms with lots of light.
Whereas most acrylic prints are created by printing images directly onto the plastic, we prefer face-mounted prints. In this technique, images are printed on premium photo paper and then mounted onto the acrylic. This process leads to better resolution, sharpness, and clarity.
Acrylic prints typically come with pre-installed wall mounts, allowing you to quickly and easily hang them in your home or office. Standard sizes range from 8” x 8” to 48” x 96”, with the smaller ones usually costing around $30.
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Photography Product #3 Canvas Prints
Canvas artwork has been gracing the walls of homes worldwide since long before the invention of the first camera. So, it should be no surprise that, year after year, canvas prints are among the most popular photography products. They have a neutral beauty that instantly brings elegance to any room or space.
Ink is dyed directly into the canvas when making canvas prints. The image is then stretched over bars/beams to give the print its shape. Canvas prints that use real wood beams are generally considered higher quality than ones with metal beams. While it’s not usual, you can also choose to frame your canvas prints.
The two most popular styles are Giclée and metallic canvas prints. Giclée prints use deluxe fine art canvas and are best suited for portraits. They are especially popular for wedding and family portraits. Alternatively, metallic prints provide a special shimmer perfect for high-contrast images like nature and astrophotography. Both have starting prices of around $55.
Photography Product #4 Paper Prints
Last but not least, there are good old paper photo prints. They are the most common photography products because of their simplicity, versatility, and affordability. Paper prints using high-end paper can cost as little as $12-$15. Our favorite types of photo paper are glossy, luster, metallic, and fine art.
Paper prints match absolutely any home or office, regardless of its style. You can pin them up directly onto your walls, set them up on bookshelves/desks using standing frames, or have them professionally framed and make them a room's centerpiece. In addition, they make great gifts for friends and family.
If you are new to photography and looking for your first photography products, we recommend starting with paper prints. Then, once you have more experience and knowledge, make the jump to metal, acrylic, or canvas prints.
Where to Order Photography Products
Photo by SeventyFour via iStock
Whenever ordering photography products, especially online, it’s of the utmost importance that you always shop from a high-quality, reliable printer. That’s the only way you can ensure your photo prints come out looking the way you want.
That said, our go-to company for all things printing-related is Artbeat Studios. They are an innovative online printing company known for their premium prints, modern printing technology, friendly/professionally-trained staff, and unbeatable prices.
Whether you want a metal, acrylic, canvas, or paper print, we guarantee the quality of their work will live up to your high standards. Additionally, they have special programs for small and large business owners, such as white-label drop shipping and loyalty pricing.
Check out the video above on the Artbeat Studios YouTube Channel for a step-by-step guide on how to customize and order photography prints on their easy-to-use website.
