Photo Printing Options for the Modern Photographer
In today’s day and age, there are many photo printing options for the modern photographer. From classic archival photo papers and canvas wraps to more modern options like acrylic and metal photo prints. So how does one even begin to choose? Gain a better understanding of the pros and cons of today’s photo printing options and know what is best medium for you.
Wrapped Canvas
Canvas wrap photos are a timeless approach to producing any photograph or fine art. Unlike archival photographic paper prints that have to be framed, canvas wrapped prints are lightweight, stretched, and ready to hang on any wall and will fit almost any room! Canvas materials offer great color depth, are archival, printed with archival inks, with a glare-free textured matte surface. This means you won’t have to worry about reflections in a well lite room. Drawbacks include some loss of detail (due to the textured surface), are not waterproof or scratchproof, and can be costly to produce.
Wrapped Canvas
Canvas wrap photos are a timeless approach to producing any photograph or fine art. Unlike archival photographic paper prints that have to be framed, canvas wrapped prints are lightweight, stretched, and ready to hang on any wall and will fit almost any room! Canvas materials offer great color depth, are archival, printed with archival inks, with a glare-free textured matte surface. This means you won’t have to worry about reflections in a well lite room. Drawbacks include some loss of detail (due to the textured surface), are not waterproof or scratchproof, and can be costly to produce.
Professional Archival Photographic Paper
Professional Photographic Paper is a cost-effective, traditional approach to transforming treasured photographs into photographic prints. With a wide variety of archival professional papers and finishes, printed with archival inks, your prints are bound to stand the test of time. That being said, your print is not complete until it is framed. Professional framing adds additional cost but offers you the ability to express the character of your photo as well as the ability to match the furniture and decor of any room and even change out your photo for a new one. Drawbacks include additional cost in framing, images lack a “Wow” factor, and are prone to damage from moisture and humidity.
Acrylic Prints
Acrylic photo prints are a modern approach to printing, presenting, and hanging your photographs. Acrylic photo prints have a glossy surface that is vibrant, rich in color, visual depth, and detail. Acrylic photo prints are first printed on metallic archival photo papers with archival inks and then mounted and pressed to acrylic and float frame mounting system. This process allows for a durable (but not scratch resistant), easy to clean, ready to hang, modern presentation that floats off the wall with a sleek side profile. Drawbacks to acrylic photo prints are that they can be expensive to produce and ship, weigh more than most photographic print options, and the nature of the reflective acrylic surface can cause unwanted glare.
Acrylic Prints
Acrylic photo prints are a modern approach to printing, presenting, and hanging your photographs. Acrylic photo prints have a glossy surface that is vibrant, rich in color, visual depth, and detail. Acrylic photo prints are first printed on metallic archival photo papers with archival inks and then mounted and pressed to acrylic and float frame mounting system. This process allows for a durable (but not scratch resistant), easy to clean, ready to hang, modern presentation that floats off the wall with a sleek side profile. Drawbacks to acrylic photo prints are that they can be expensive to produce and ship, weigh more than most photographic print options, and the nature of the reflective acrylic surface can cause unwanted glare.
Metal Photo Prints
Metal photo prints are a cost-effective, reflective, and modern photographic printing and presentation option. They have a thin profile, are lightweight, and come ready to hang. Metal photo prints have a variety of print surfaces and rich gloss, semi-gloss, or matte finishes that offer unrivaled photo reproduction. Metal photo prints are vibrant, rich in color, with fantastic visual depth, contrast, and detail. Through the process of Dye-Sublimation, archival inks are infused directly into the metal’s surface. This process ensures the highest level of durability, which is scratch-resistant, waterproof, and easy to clean. Unlike other photo print options, metal photo prints can be hung indoors, outdoors, and in high moisture environments like a bathroom. Drawbacks to metal photo prints can be the reflective surface of the gloss finishes in well lite areas.
