Acrylic Prints and Canvas Prints – The Only Guide You Will Ever Need

Acrylic and canvas prints are an excellent way to showcase your personal style. But how do you decide which one to choose from?

The prints you end up choosing will vary based on your preferred style, where you’ll be hanging your prints and which image type you want to use. Whether you’re a professional photographer looking for high-quality prints or an amateur enthusiast, it’s important to select the right print type. After all, different printing surfaces can complement image styles in different ways. 

Learning to snap the perfect photo is important. But you should also allocate time towards selecting the perfect print. This will unlock the true potential of your print designs.

So, which is the best print option for you? We created this comprehensive guide to show you the differences between acrylic and canvas prints. Keep reading to get the lowdown!

The Process

How are canvas prints made? 

Our canvas prints are created by applying an image onto the surface of a canvas. Then we stretch the canvas across the frame. With Canvas Factory you can choose to wrap the edges of your image around the side of the canvas, or add a coloured border.

During this process, we use high-quality materials, which ensures that the frame and canvas won’t warp when affected by heat and moisture.

At Canvas Factory, we offer a range of personalised print sizes. So, regardless of the size of the room you’re decorating, you can select small, medium, and large canvas prints (and everything in between). We also use a UV laminate coating to protect images from the elements.

We apply the laminate during the canvas printing process. The material is so strong that it can provide image quality protection for up to 70 years. Without it, the image quality would begin to eventually break down due to damage from sun exposure. 

The laminate cover also protects your canvas prints from scratches that can occur when moving your prints around your home. It provides water protection while allowing you to clean any dust off the canvas easily with a damp cloth. The quality of UV laminate can also add depth and vibrancy to your print, making it pop on your walls.

How are acrylic prints made? 

Acrylic prints are created using two different methods. The first is known as the face mount. This is when an image is printed onto a photographic sheet of paper that is then placed between two acrylic sheets. Before being sealed, the print is sprayed with air. This ensures that every speck of dust is removed from the image surface.

The second method is getting your photograph and printing it directly onto acrylic and sealing it with a solid back coating using a printer.

Both methods give your image a high-impact visual depth. To get a good quality acrylic print, you need to work with an experienced printer.  

What is the difference between acrylic and canvas prints?

Presentation and appearance 

Acrylic is a premium print type, which means that it comes at a slightly higher price point. But as soon as you mount it to your wall you will notice its high-quality finish. The colours will be more accurate and the depth and sharpness of your image will be far more pronounced than other prints.

Not only that, but an acrylic print typically lasts much longer than other materials. Many professional photographers or aspiring artists choose acrylic because they prefer a strong and striking finish. 

Canvas prints, on the other hand, have a far more textured finish.  So, if you are after a classic or traditional feel for your wall art, a canvas print is the perfect choice. Canvas prints are popular for anyone looking to create wedding prints, family prints or any beautiful wall art print.

Generally, canvas prints are made out of cotton or polyester. Both material types are good in their own unique ways. If you’re after something more high quality and traditional, cotton canvas is perfectly fine. However, if you’re after something affordable that still provides a sharpness of colour and offers long-lasting quality then polyester will meet your requirements. 

Colour sharpness 

Many people find that acrylic prints are sharper than canvas, which can enhance image vibrancy. It also helps that acrylic prints have a reflective quality. This limits light passing through the surface of the print, which ensures image colours are able to retain their sharpness when being viewed from all sides of the print. 

When it comes to canvas prints, more colour is added during the printing process. This means you’ll achieve the best colour coverage for your image.

That’s how printers ensure that image detailing is not lost. At Canvas Factory, our printers are masters at this process. They will ensure that the finished print will look exactly like your vivid photograph. 

Strength and life span

Canvas prints have UV protection and laminate applied to the surface of the prints. That means they are protected from bumps and scratches. They’re great for kids, or if you’re moving your images around your house or office.

The laminate also provides water damage protection, while allowing you to clean the canvas with a damp cloth.

We use a canvas material that’s very robust. A good canvas print will last over 70 years if it has a solid surface treatment applied!

Acrylic prints, on the other hand, offer even more protective benefits and longevity for your image. With a super strong surface, acrylic prints are resistant to breaks and scratches. Yet they’re still light enough to move from room to room.

Like canvas prints, acrylic prints are also moisture resistant, easy to clean with a damp cloth, and resistant sunlight damage. Either material can provide an excellent option for image protection and longevity.   

Popular designs for canvas prints 

At Canvas Factory we offer traditional shapes, modern arrangements and bespoke sizes to match your tastes and interior design requirements.

Here are some examples from our range: 

• Single Canvas Prints: These are gallery-wrapped canvas photo prints printed on high-quality, stretched canvases. They are available in a range of sizes, including custom sizes. 
• Split Canvas Prints: A split canvas print allows you to turn your stunning panorama pictures or any other cherished image into sensational wall art.
• Canvas Photo Collage: This print option allows you to combine related photos into a single layout which results in an impressive creation that’s more powerful than the sum of its parts.
• Canvas Print Wall Display: A wall display is a multi print offering you the chance to create a series of different canvas prints at varying sizes. Canvas print wall displays are an excellent way to use your special photo memories to visually showcase your journey.  

Popular designs for acrylic prints

We offer a range of acrylic designs to meet your interior design needs.  Check out the different options below:

• Shaped Acrylic Prints: Available in three shapes; love heart, round and oval. Your special photos will be presented perfectly and with such vivid clarity. 
• Split Acrylic Prints: The contemporary aesthetic of acrylic photo printing is heightened when you take one of your stunning images and split it across multiple panels. Our acrylic prints have a crystal clear clarity that will elevate any room.
• Acrylic Wall Displays: The gallery-inspired look of an acrylic printed wall display will make your photos shine. Simply choose a group of similarly-themed photos and have them printed on different sized panels.
• Silhouette Photo Collages On Acrylic: Adding a playful, unexpected silhouette to your collection of photos creates an instant conversation starter!
• Modish Shape Collage: Perfect for contrast with more traditional photos, the modish shape collage is an exciting way to arrange your photos.

Making a decision between acrylic and canvas prints

So, should you choose acrylic or canvas prints? Well, the print you choose will depend on your image, your budget and your unique style preferences. 

If you’re looking for a classic, yet versatile look at an affordable price, canvas prints are a great option. These prints are robust and will still reflect the quality of the image applied to the material, including richness of colour. Canvas prints from Canvas Factory can last for over 70 years without fading.

On the other hand, acrylic prints work fabulously as modern-style wall art showcasing highly-detailed or highly-saturated images. Acrylic prints are available at a premium price, yet the finish, depth and vividness of your final image make it worthwhile. They are also more durable than many other print styles.

It’s definitely not easy to choose between acrylic and canvas prints. That said, all you need to do is weigh up the options and decide which is best for you! Which print will you choose? Browse our range today to decide!