What is an Acrylic Print?

An acrylic print is a fine art photograph that’s face-mounted behind a sheet of clear acrylic, typically using archival-grade adhesive and high-resolution pigment inks. By using these high quality materials and methods it enhances the color saturation, contrast and detail of the image, giving it a very luminous and glass-like appearance. The resulting acrylic print is a vibrant and immersive viewing experience showcasing a striking sense of depth. These face-mounted acrylics are often described as "3D-like". When I showcase them at art festivals, many people try to even look behind the print to see if there is some hidden light. Optionally, these acrylic mediums can be made with TruLife® acrylic which significantly reduces glare, becomes more scratch resistant and offers even more UV protection to preserve the artwork for decades to come. The print is usually backed with a rigid material for stability and floated off the wall using a hidden mounting system. Presenting it this way showcases an HD-like frameless display that makes acrylic prints a favorite for galleries, collectors and homeowners who are seeking bold and modern wall art with a luxurious finish.

The Pros and Cons of an Acrylic Print

What is a Metal Print?

Metal prints, by contrast, offer a sleek and modern presentation with a unique luminescence. They are available in both glossy and matte. By default, I offer glossy, as it has the best look to it, but for those needing to reduce glare while still wanting that metal feel to your print, matte allowing you to fine-tune the look to your environment. The result of a metal print is a cleaner and more minimalistic aesthetic that often suits contemporary interiors or commercial spaces. While they may not offer quite as much depth and 3D-feeling as acrylic, metal prints glow in a way that feels refined and understated.

Pros and Cons of a Metal Print

Similarities between Acrylic Prints and Metal Prints

While both acrylic and metal prints bring their own unique strengths to the table, they also share a number of qualities that make both ideal for fine art presentation. Both are offered as a frameless and clean aesthetic that floats off the wall and come ready to hang without the need for an external frame. This creates a sleek and gallery-style display for both options. This allows the artwork to take the center stage without any visual distractions. This allows the artwork to stand out for those that prefer a frame-less approach. Both options are well-suited for offices, homes and curated spaces.

Both are printed using archival quality inks and durable materials that resist fading for decades when displayed in normal conditions, making them both great for longevity. Both are available in limited edition formats and custom sizes from small to very large format! This gives you, the collector, flexibility without compromising on the quality of print you are receiving. Whether you opt for acrylic or metal, you are investing in a very high-impact and professional grade piece of art that is crafted to last for decades and designed to elevate your space.

What are the Differences between Acrylic Prints and Metal Prints

While they both share some of the same appealing features for modern art collectors, acrylic and metal prints have certain different qualities in key areas that can influence your decision. The acrylic prints I offer are face-mounted behind a layer of high quality acrylic, giving them a glossy, glass-like finish that enhances the depth and vibrancy to an HD level. The level of dimensionality and richness from this process, especially under controlled lighting, is unparalleled. Appearing almost backlit, even under normal lighting, an acrylic print is a true statement piece that appears almost 3-dimensional.

On the other hand, metal prints are created using a different process where the print is infused directly onto aluminum sheets, producing a sleek, clean surface. This dye-sublimation process is known as a Chromaluxe metal print. That said, not all Chromaluxe metal prints are created equal. Many prints mass produce these prints, farming them out the door with defects. I've made sure to partner with the top printers to ensure special care and handling is made when going through this process to achieve a better and sharper piece of art than the common metal print. While I offer my metal prints on glossy as default, as it produces a very vibrant and sleek piece of art, a matte surface can optionally be use for places where heavy glare and reflection are a worry. This does take some of the "shine" off of the metal print, but ensures that the print will retain more control over the glare.

Another major difference between these two mediums lies in the weight and handling. Acrylic prints tend to be much thicker and heavier and therefor require more careful handling to avoid scratches and damage. Metal prints are much lighter and more rugged, making them ideal for high-traffic spaces or rooms with changing light conditions. These differences in look, feel, and practicality are subtle when hung, but they can dramatically shape how your artwork fits into its environment. Metal tends to be a little more scratch-resistant as well, suitable for high traffic locations, though acrylic still holds up well. Both can be cleaned of dust and fingerprints easily.

Reflection and Glare

Because of its glossy surface, acrylic prints can reflect nearby light sources, especially in rooms with strong direct lighting or windows. That said, proper lighting like directional track lighting can cut down on this and even turn it into an advantage by enhancing the vibrancy. Alternatively, you can run with a TruLife acrylic upgrade, which adds 80-90% anti-glare and scratch resistance without sacrificing the glossy beauty and vibrancy of an acrylic.

Metal is a little more forgiving in high-light environments, though will still have glare and reflections. Opting to change glossy to matte for your metal finish can minimize glare, making them ideal for open, bright or multi-use rooms.

Which Print Type Is More Durable?

Acrylic prints are certainly thicker and heavier than a metal print. Though they are still quite durable, it should be handled with care to prevent scratches on the surface of the acrylic. Metal prints on the other hand are lightweight and more durable. They to be a little more scratch-resistant than an acrylic print.

If you plan to place the art in an area where durability matters and you're worried about scratches, metal is safer alternative. Metal is also lightweight, making it easier to hang than an acrylic. However, an acrylic print feels luxurious. When you hold it and display it, it is a substantial piece of artwork. Upgrading to TruLife acrylic can also add more scratch resistance to an acrylic piece.

Framing Your Metal or Acrylic Print

As I've stated above, both formats come ready to hang as-is without the need to add a frame. This allows the artwork to take center stage. However, sometimes, a collector wants to add an external frame to their piece of art. In the past, I was only able to offer the elegant Italian hand-made ROMA frames on the acrylic print medium. However, I have been able to start offering metal prints framed with ROMA as well! So you can now get that great ROMA framed piece in either acrylic or metal. Both make for fantastic statement pieces when externally framed with ROMA moulding such as the fan-favorite Tabacchino Dark Ash 4" frame with a black or white linen liner.

When choosing whether to frame your metal or acrylic print, it really comes down to style. Do you like a clean presentation where the art is front and center? Or do you like to accentuate the artwork by adding an external frame and making your statement piece one that is both timeless and luxurious?

Price Range

Acrylic tends to be more expensive as it is a luxurious, gallery-style finish. Upgrading to Trulife acrylic can also add a little more to the final cost as well. Acrylic is the medium that high end collectors often gravitate towards.

Metal is a little more affordable while still offering a premium print quality. It is excellent choice for large-scale prints or when buying multiple pieces where budget might be a bit more of a concern.