Printing on Canvas vs Printing on Metal

Is Canvas or Metal better?

When it comes to showcasing your paintings, art or photographs, choosing the right medium is most important.

A comparison here of two popular printing methods: canvas printing and sublimation printing on metal will help you make an informed decision for your next project.

Whether you’re looking to decorate a home, office or for gallery exhibition both offer unique benefits and cater to different needs and preferences.

Printing on Metal

Pros:

Durability and longevity: Metal prints are resistant to UV fading and waterproof, making them suitable for various environments, including high-humidity areas like bathrooms or kitchens. The surface is also scratch-resistant, ensuring your print remains pristine for years. Different coatings available make them ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.
Suits all colours: The metal printing process called dye sublimation, infuses inks directly into the metal surface via a heat press with sharp detail. With a range of gloss, matt and textured surfaces available this transfer print process suits all colour ranges from soft pastels, black and whites, to vibrant, high contrast colours.
Versatile, sleek and contemporary look: Metal prints have a contemporary, sleek appearance when displayed with a hidden back hanger that gives the appearance of the print floating off the wall. They can also be displayed in aluminium or wooden glassless frames for a slightly more traditional look.
Easy to maintain: Cleaning metal prints is straightforward, just a gentle wipe with a soft cloth. There’s no need for special cleaning solutions or delicate handling, making maintenance hassle-free.

Cons:

Cost: Metal prints are generally more expensive than canvas prints due to the specialized printing process and materials used
Framing options: Not all wooden frames are designed to work with metal prints.
Weight: Depending on size and framing options metal prints can be slightly heavier than canvas prints.

Printing on Canvas

Pros:

Classic Aesthetic: Canvas prints offer a classic textured, artistic look that can add depth and character and enhance the overall visual experience.

Affordability: Generally, canvas prints are more budget-friendly compared to metal prints.

Versatility in Framing: Canvas prints can be framed in a variety of ways. The standard look has canvas stretched around simple wooden stretcher bars to give depth and rigidity for display. A more modern floating frame can then be added around the stretched canvas print. This versatility allows you to customise the presentation to suit your decor style.

Lightweight: Stretched canvas prints, with no additional frame are light and easy to handle and hang.

Cons:

Susceptibility to Environmental Factors: Unlike metal prints, canvas prints are more susceptible to environmental conditions. They can be affected by humidity and exposure to direct sunlight, which may cause fading or warping over time.

Maintenance: Canvas prints can be more challenging to maintain. Dust and dirt can accumulate on the surface, and spot cleaning can be tricky without affecting the print.

Less surface options available: Canvas prints offer excellent colour reproduction, but not the range of gloss, matt, metallic and textured surfaces as does aluminium metal. It can be said that canvas might not achieve the same level of vibrancy and sharpness as metal prints. The texture of the canvas can also diffuse the colours slightly, which may affect the overall impact of the image.

Making your choice

Both metal and canvas prints have their advantages and disadvantages.

Metal prints excel in durability, displaying a wide colour range especially vibrant colours with a modern look, while canvas prints offer a more classic aesthetic and affordability.

Your choice between metal and canvas should ultimately depend on your specific needs, preferences, and the environment in which the print will be displayed.

Either way, both mediums can turn your photos or artwork into stunning displays.