We all have that one wall in our home or office that is in desperate need of attention. It’s just looking back at us with a blank stare, waiting for us to find the right decorative piece to hang on it. Maybe it’s a bathroom wall, or a space in your kitchen. Maybe you’ve turned a room into an office, and the stark walls are killing you slowly. There’s no reason why you should be spending 8 hours a day in a room without a little beauty to soften the blow. Here are the top 5 best decorative print materials and when to use them.
#5 - Acrylic
Coming in at number 5; acrylic prints. At first glance, you’d think these types of prints would be a top pick. Try not to be fooled by the outer appearances here. Though they have a sleek, glossy depth and a beautiful first impression, there is something inherently off about acrylic prints. Don’t get me wrong, in certain situations, acrylic prints are a viable material. Maybe you’re decorating a doctor’s office, or a daycare; places that need an extra spice and pop. Be weary, however, as acrylic prints tend to look a little cheap and ‘plasticky’, and durability can be a pain point.
What is an acrylic print? A sheet of plastic with the image printed on it and then covered with clear acrylic to give depth to the image.
It’s not necessarily that acrylic is a terrible print choice, it’s just that there are better options that accomplish the same modern print appeal, namely HD Metal. The quality of acrylic has been inconsistent in my experience. On at least one occasion, I received an acrylic print that was scratched in multiple places. I could not salvage it, and it ended up in the dumpster. On top of that, the colors were off. The shadows had a grainy look that I honestly couldn’t see in my digital file. On an another occasion, I used a different print company, Artbeat Studios, and my acrylic print turned out pretty much flawlessly. If you go with acrylic, make sure you use the best print service.
Acrylic Pros
- High gloss and depth that can’t be achieved with other print mediums
- Colors look liquidy and vibrant
Acrylic Cons
- The surface lacks durability and is subject to defects and scratching
- Tends to look cheap and plasticky when viewed up close
When to use acrylic prints
If you have an image containing water, such as coastal art, or you want a little bit of a three dimensional depth that HD metal doesn’t provide, acrylic might be the right choice. Bear in mind, there is nothing traditional about acrylic. If your space is rustic or classic, even mid-century modern or modern farmhouse, steer clear. Acrylic is ultra modern and works best to make colors pop and the surface to shine. An acrylic print is a good material best considered for modern offices and public work spaces, or city apartments with a sleek design.
#4 - Framed Poster
Here we have one of the most common print materials for decorative art; the framed poster. Most often, these prints consist of varying qualities of paper, either glossy or matte, with a frame and a protective glass or acrylic sheet over the top. Simple, affordable, and they look great. Though if you’re looking for something more elegant and high-end, you might skip the framed poster option.
When to use framed poster prints
Framed posters, or fine art prints as they’re sometimes called, are best suited for simple rooms or offices that don’t require much pizazz. Maybe you’re not necessarily trying to make a statement with your print, you just want to keep it simple, framed posters are the way to go. Dorm rooms, office lounges, kitchens, bathrooms, modest living rooms; all good locations for this style of print. One popular design trend is to create a wall collage, or a multi-piece art set in a living room. Most print materials would cost an arm and a leg to accomplish this, but with framed posters, it most likely won’t break the bank.
#3 - Wood Print
Now here is a real winner in the world of decorative art prints; wood. When what you want is a unique, rich, authentic print that stands out among the rest, wood is going to be one of your best options. Suited for images that have a natural and earthy feel, wood brings out the beauty in your favorite photo or art piece.
As with most prints, the image will look darker when printed compared to being viewed digitally on a monitor. This is especially true with wood. Darker is sometimes better, just don’t go too far with it. Try to edit your image the way you prefer on your monitor, and then brighten it just a bit more. With wood prints, white or lighter areas of the image do not print, which allows the wood grain to come through. This effect is wonderful, but doesn’t work with every image. Wood printing is a niche design choice that should only be used when the image calls for it.
Wood Print Pros
- Creates a unique and authentic talking piece to your space
- Colors are rich and whites allow wood grain to come through
- Gives a touch and feel to the print that other materials can’t
Wood Print Cons
- Only ideal for a very specific type of image
When to use wood prints
If you want to show off an image with a print material most people have not experienced, or if you have an image that has an earthy and natural feel to it, try wood for your next print. Wood lends itself well to images that have actual wood in them, or trees, or various browns and greens. Maybe your design is modern farmhouse, rustic lodge, or earth-centered; I would say wood is a great choice for your space.
#2 - HD Metal Print
When I first set out to discover the various types of print materials, I was sure that acrylic was going to be my material of choice for modern applications. That all changed when I saw my first glossy HD Metal print. I make the distinction of glossy for a reason; non-glossy metal prints are painfully boring. And maybe boring fits the need; such as prints for informational uses. But for art and decoration, boring isn’t good, so go with glossy.
That brings me to my next point about metal prints; not all methods and materials are the same. Yes, it is possible to get a terrible looking metal print. What you want is the method called “dye sublimation”, in which the print is infused into the metal. More specifically, the metal panel should be ChromaLuxe for best results. My favorite two print shops for this type of product are Pictorem and Artbeat Studios. Some print shops offer ‘brushed metal’ prints. I have been too afraid to try this type of print, because images I have seen end up looking very dark. Maybe that’s just me, but it might only be a very specific photo that would work well with brushed metal.
Metal Print Pros
- Incredible color brilliance and definition
- The most durable type of print
- Works with both modern and classic design
- With a semi-reflective surface, you get a print that really pops and brings a space to life
Metal Print Cons
- Can be a bit expensive, especially when combined with a decorative frame
When to use HD metal prints
Even though metal prints come off as a sleek and modern design choice, when a decorative frame is added, this style is really suitable for classic décor as well. The trend has been to use metal in places like doctor’s offices, modern apartments, car shops and the likes. I have yet to see a metal print in someone’s home, but I believe the time is coming soon in which more and more homes will have a beautiful metal print collection.
#1 - Stretched Canvas
You might be thinking right now, canvas?! But that’s boring and un-enlightened. We’ve all seen too many canvases. How can canvas be the #1 print material choice? First of all, not all canvases are created equal. In order to appreciate the true beauty and versatility of canvas, you need to experience a high-end print using a beautifully crafted image. The best way to experience that is to order a print from Pathfinder Creative… like right now.
Stretched canvas refers to the fact that the print is stretched over a wood backing frame. This gives the image depth that comes up off the wall. Because of this design, stretched canvases will work well with or without a decorative frame. It all depends on the space and the design choice. The name of the game here is this; versatility. Modern, rustic, classic… canvas excels in all the spaces. Also, canvas gives off an artsy vibe, like a fine painting. When used with the right image, a canvas can still catch the attention of the room, even though we see them everywhere.
Canvas Pros
- Fantastic color blend
- Artistic appeal and flexible design
- Textured surface brings images to life
- Works well in almost every space
Metal Print Cons
- Not as unique as metal or wood prints
When to use Canvas prints
Whether you need prints for the kitchen, bathroom, office, bedroom, living room, commercial space, hotel lobby, waiting room, etc… stretched canvas (with or without a decorative frame), is an appropriate and solid choice to help bring life into the space. As with all of the latest and greatest decorative print materials, your next art piece is only as good as the image and the quality of the materials/methods.
Don't Buy Prints from Just Anywhere
As a small shop, Pathfinder Creative is able to focus on the quality of the source image, as well as the print materials and methods. We have searched out the best print shops, and curated our own original images specifically to help people design a space with confience. Confidence that the end result will exceed expectations for years to come. We want to invite you to order from us and experience next-level, quality wall prints. Until next time, thank you for reading!
