Acrylic Prints Vs Canvas Prints – Which is Right for You?

I would like to talk today about the differences between acrylic prints and canvas prints. This is an important discussion because many people can’t decide which one they want for their art collection or purchase other items to go with the print. Some of these items are frames, stretcher bars, and other features that will affect how your finished print looks. This is also a topic that comes up frequently when discussing fine art prints because many people ask if it’s truly better to have the print on canvas or acrylic.

What type of print is best for you? Acrylic or canvas prints. This blog post will explore the pros and cons, as well as show some examples of each format to give you a better idea.  In addition, we’ll be looking at how these types of prints are priced per square foot so that you can make an informed decision on which one is the most cost-effective for your needs! So read on to find out more about acrylic and canvas prints and why they’re such popular choices among homeowners today.

Difference Between Acrylic and Canvas Print?

First, I’d like to point out that both items are made for displaying your finished printed piece of artwork. My definition of a print is an image that has been mass-produced, reproduced, and sold at various locations such as local galleries, art shops, and online stores. Therefore prints can be made on many different types of materials including paper, metal, wood, and other surfaces.

I will give a brief background of both products so you can see their history and development over the last several years, but for now, let’s focus on the acrylic prints vs canvas prints by discussing their surface finishes.  This is important to avoid any confusion when trying to decide which product to use for your project because there are many factors that can affect your final decision.

Construction of Acrylic Prints and Canvas Prints

The first type of print we will discuss is acrylic print. This is a print that has been put on a sheet of clear acrylic to provide protection from dust and other particles that may land on the surface.

The reason this type of product is used is that it allows light to pass through for display purposes, but does not allow dust or dirt to get under the print. This ensures your artwork looks as it should without having any visual obstructions.

The second type of print is canvas print. A canvas print is mass-produced on a square frame that has been pre-stretched to provide strength and allow for easy hanging. This product generally does not require additional framing because the sides are already finished, but some people choose to go ahead and purchase a frame for added protection.

Canvas prints are generally less expensive than acrylic prints, but this is not always the case. It all depends on who produces the print and where it is made. Canvas prints are also great because they do not require any additional work to be displayed, simply hang it up after you get it home.

Construction of Acrylic and canvas prints are both very different because of the material that they are made from. Acrylic prints are printed directly onto a sheet of acrylic, while canvas prints are usually glued to a piece of wood and then prepared for framing.

Canvases come in one size only (3ft x 2ft) and usually aren’t as durable as an acrylic print is. Acrylic prints are usually framed or used as-is because they can stand up against water, dirt, and even mold. However, canvas prints need to be framed which means that you’ll have to purchase a frame for it as well.

I would like to point out that acrylic prints are available in both framed and unframed options while canvas prints are only sold in the pre-stretched, ready to hang option. I hope this helps anyone who is trying to decide which product they want for their print because now you should have more information so you can make a better decision

Durability of Canvas vs Acrylic Prints

Both are the most common options used by professional artists to display their work. Artists who are looking for an easy, inexpensive way to display their artwork will usually choose acrylic prints because they come ready-to-hang, one of a kind, and can stand up against water, dirt, and even mold. This makes them one of the best options for those who don’t want to frame their artwork.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more traditional look and have limited wall space then canvas prints are the way to go. They come framed and ready-to-hang, and can be easily cleaned with standard household cleaners or even condiments like vinegar or lemon juice! If you’re looking for the best value when it comes to displaying your artwork in your home (or even in an office) then canvas prints are definitely the way to go. They’re cheaper per square inch but also last longer.

If you’re looking for a modern feel with your home decor then acrylic prints are definitely the best option because they come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. You can choose from square prints to special shapes like hearts or even customized angles. Canvas prints only offer one size so it’s not worth buying an entire print just to realize you don’t have the right sized frame for it.

Quality of Canvas vs Acrylic prints

In terms of quality, both prints are evenly matched. Both offer a high-quality image with vibrant colors and accurate details. But the difference comes down to which one is best for your needs.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more traditional look and have limited wall space then canvas prints are the way to go. They come framed and ready-to-hang, and can be easily cleaned with standard household cleaners or even condiments like vinegar or lemon juice! So if you’re looking for the best value when it comes to displaying your artwork in your home (or even in an office) then canvas prints are definitely the way to go.

Cost Comparison of Acrylic vs Canvas Prints

Now let’s compare the prices of both prints. Canvas vs Acrylic print cost – Canvas prints are cheaper per inch but also last longer. On average a 16 x 20 canvas print costs about $150 while the same size acrylic print costs about $180-$220 depending on how it is framed.

In terms of price per square inch then canvas prints are cheaper because they come in many different sizes larger than 16 x 20. But if you’re looking for length over width then acrylic is the way to go because they are wider and come in sizes up to 6 x 10 feet! So if you want a more modern feel with your home decor then go with an acrylic print.

By now, I’m sure it’s obvious that acrylic prints offer a lot more value than canvas prints! It all comes down to which one best fits your needs.

Acrylic Prints vs Canvas Prints: The Surface Finish For Your Artwork

So you want to print your art onto a surface, but what should it be? The question of whether you should go for an acrylic print or canvas print has been asked so often that I would like to help you find the answer. First things first, let’s clear up some other points before I tell you which will work for you.

Acrylic print  

This is a type of printing process which uses high-resolution images placed on the acrylic surface via computer. The image is then protected by a layer of the top-quality glossy or metallic film. Acrylic prints are popular because they provide an extremely vivid reflection of the color. If you went to any art fair or gallery exhibition, chances are you would have seen an acrylic print hanging up. But the problem is, once it has been printed there is little chance of adapting or editing it at a later date. The cost for this type of printing service is also very expensive, but if you want to flaunt your art in high quality then it may be worth thinking about.

Canvas Prints

This is a way of printing your art onto a fabric. The quality of the print would depend on the type of fabric that you choose. Generally speaking, if it’s textured then you can expect to see some texture included in your digital photo once printed onto the material. If you have seen celebrities or models posing up against painted backdrops, then you may have noticed some of these are actually printed onto fabric. Which is why the printed colors appear so vivid and natural. A good choice if that’s what you’re after.

But whichever way of printing your art that I choose for you, there will always be disadvantages as well as advantages.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Acrylic and Canvas Prints

Advantages of Acrylic Prints

As we said, an acrylic print is printed using high-resolution images and the colors will be vibrant. But you may need to make some careful choices if it’s a digital photo of your own child or family member you want printing onto this kind of surface. Why? Well simply because the glossy finish can cause reflections and the content of your image may not be as clear to see as you would like. That’s why I don’t recommend an acrylic print for family portraits or wedding photos.

The cost for this type of printing is also very expensive and it’s only suitable for large prints over A1 size. This type of custom-made artwork also takes a lot of time to produce. If you order an acrylic print it may take over 10 days for your product to be ready.

Advantages of Canvas Prints

Canvas prints are popular because they provide an extremely vivid reflection of the color, plus the image can be easily edited or adapted by simply replacing or removing its content through digital editing or photo-editing software. You can also remove the content of the image entirely if you choose to have a plain colored background. The cost for this type of printing service is also very reasonable, which means you would be able to stretch your budget even further by choosing to have your artwork printed onto canvas rather than acrylic.

Disadvantages of Acrylic Prints

The high gloss finish may cause reflections. The content is not as clear as it would be if printed onto paper or canvas. It is only suitable for large prints over A1 size. If you go for an acrylic print, the delivery time could take up to 10 days and this type of custom-made artwork can also take a lot of time to produce.

Disadvantages of Canvas Prints

You can’t easily adapt or edit your artwork during the printing process, but it may be possible if you are using a professional service provider who offers picture editing software with their printing services. Canvas prints are also restricted to only being suitable for large prints over A1 size. There is also a risk of the colors bleeding if your canvas gets wet, so please keep it out of direct sunlight.

What type of printing service you choose will depend on what type of artwork or photo that you would like to have printed onto a certain kind of surface. If it’s a family portrait or wedding photo then I don’t recommend printing this type of artwork onto an acrylic surface. If you want to flaunt your art in high quality then it may be worth thinking about. But whichever way of printing your art that I choose for you, there will always be disadvantages as well as advantages.

Final Verdict

I hope this post has helped you weigh the pros and cons of acrylic prints vs canvas prints so that you can make a more informed decision. I don’t know about you, but acrylic prints sound a lot more appealing to me than canvas prints. Not only are they cheaper, but they’re also easier to clean and store with their plastic frames! So if you want something different for your home that won’t break the bank or take up too much space in your house, an acrylic print may be just what you need.