Acrylic vs Metal vs Canvas vs Fabric Prints: Which to Choose?
Short answer: choose acrylic for the most vivid, glossy, gallery look; Luxe Metal for maximum color and a scratch-resistant finish; brushed or white metal for a sleek, modern or industrial look; canvas for a classic, textured feel; and fabric for lightweight, vibrant prints and backlit displays. If your room gets a lot of light, look at anti-glare acrylic.
Still not sure? Send us your photo through our Compare Mediums service and we will send back mockups of your image on acrylic and metal, or order a free sample kit to see and touch the materials first.
Acrylic, metal, canvas and fabric prints compared
| Look and finish | Largest size | Display options | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic (glass) | Glossy and vibrant, with crystal-clear depth and a gallery-style finish | Up to 96 × 60″ | Float off the wall, flush mount, standoffs, traditional frame; 1/8″ to 3/8″ thick |
| Anti-glare acrylic | The depth of acrylic with reduced reflections for bright rooms | See product page | Float off the wall, flush mount, standoffs, traditional frame |
| Luxe Metal (sublimated) | Glossy, almost luminous; deep blacks and rich color fused into a ChromaLuxe aluminum panel; virtually scratchproof | Up to 60 × 40″ | Float off the wall, float frame |
| White metal | Smooth matte finish with true whites and strong contrast | Up to 90 × 60″ | Float off the wall, flush mount, metal box, standoffs |
| Brushed metal | White areas become a sleek silver for a modern, industrial look | Up to 90 × 60″ | Float off the wall, flush mount, metal box, standoffs |
| Canvas | Premium matte canvas with Giclée pigment ink; classic texture | Up to 84 × 54″ | Gallery stretched, stretched with frame |
| Fabric | Canvas-like texture with more vibrant color and sleeker display options | See product page | Wall-mounted frame (black or gray) or no frame |
Acrylic prints: the most vivid, gallery look
Acrylic prints have a high-gloss finish and real depth, which makes colors look rich and detailed. They come in four thicknesses (1/8″, 3/16″, 1/4″ and 3/8″) and several ways to hang, including floating 1″ off the wall. Pick acrylic for photos and art you want to be the centerpiece of a room. If the wall faces windows or bright lights, anti-glare acrylic keeps the look while cutting reflections.
Metal prints: Luxe Metal, white metal or brushed metal
Luxe Metal uses HD dye sublimation: your image is fused beneath the coating of a ChromaLuxe aluminum panel, so it is glossy, ultra-vivid and virtually scratchproof. White metal gives a matte finish with clean whites and strong contrast. Brushed metal lets the metal grain show through the light areas for a silver, industrial look that works well with black-and-white photography.
Canvas prints: classic and textured
Canvas prints use premium matte canvas and Giclée pigment ink for a traditional, textured look. They are gallery stretched, with or without a frame, in sizes up to 84 × 54″.
Fabric prints and backlit displays
Fabric prints have a texture similar to canvas but with more vibrant color and sleeker display options. For retail, offices and trade shows, backlit fabric lightboxes and backlit acrylic panels (up to 8 × 5 ft per panel) light your image from behind for a glowing display.
Frequently asked questions
Both are premium. Acrylic gives a glossy look with visible depth and comes in sizes up to 96 × 60″. Metal gives a sleeker, modern look: Luxe Metal is the most vivid and is virtually scratchproof, while white and brushed metal offer matte and silver finishes. Send us your photo and we can show you mockups of both.
Anti-glare acrylic is made for rooms with a lot of light, since it reduces reflections. Matte options such as white metal and canvas also work well in bright spaces.
Acrylic prints go up to 96 × 60″, white and brushed metal up to 90 × 60″, canvas up to 84 × 54″ and Luxe Metal up to 60 × 40″. Backlit acrylic panels go up to 8 × 5 ft per panel. Larger pieces can be split across several panels with our multi-panel service.
Yes. You can order a free sample kit of our most popular products, with free shipping and no purchase required, or send us your photo for free mockups on different materials.
Our standard lead time is 6–8 business days before your print ships. Some products, such as backlit acrylic and Luxe Metal, can take a little longer. Rush production is available for an added fee.
