The right wall art can turn your favorite photos into beautiful pieces for your home. At Shutterfly, we offer a variety of custom wall art options, from textured canvas and vibrant metal prints to polished acrylic, natural wood, and classic framed photos. Each material offers a different look and feel, from the texture of canvas to the sleek finish of acrylic. Use this guide to compare wall art styles, explore sizes and framing options, and find the best fit for your photos and your space.
Compare Shutterfly Wall Art Materials
Not sure which wall art material to choose? Start with this quick comparison of our seven photo wall art options.
| Wall Art Type | Material & Finish | Available Sizes | Framing Options | Hanging |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canvas Prints | Textured poly-cotton canvas; matte or satin | 13 | Optional | Sawtooth hanger |
| Metal Prints | Aluminum; glossy or matte | 10 | Optional | Mounting block or sawtooth hanger |
| Acrylic Prints | Polished, crystal-clear acrylic | 7 | Floating display option | Hanging instructions included |
| Framed Prints | Photo print with protective acrylic | 9 | Included; optional mats | Hanging wire |
| Mounted Prints | Rigid photo board; satin finish | 9 | Optional | Hanging block or sawtooth hanger |
| Wood Prints | Natural birchwood with visible grain | 5 | No | Hanging grooves |
| Art Prints | Smooth matte cardstock | 5 | Optional | Hanging wire when framed |
All seven materials offer different ways to display your photos. Below, explore what makes each one unique, including the materials, finishes, dimensions, and hanging features.
Canvas Prints: Textured, Gallery-Wrapped Wall Art
Canvas prints turn your photos into beautiful wall art with a soft, textured surface. We print your images on premium poly-cotton canvas using fade-resistant giclée printing, then professionally stretch the material over solid wood. Gallery-wrapped edges create a finished appearance from every angle, even without an additional frame.
Canvas prints have a matte finish that helps reduce glare, making them a popular choice for family portraits, wedding photos, landscapes, and everyday photography. Choose an unframed canvas for a classic gallery-wrapped look or add a custom wood frame to complement your home décor.
Canvas Print Details
- Material: Premium poly-cotton canvas stretched over solid wood
- Finish: Matte, except 30×40 and 36×36 sizes, which have a satin finish
- Available sizes: 13
- Depth: 1.5″ unframed or 2″ framed; 30×40 and 36×36 sizes measure 1.25″ unframed or 1.75″ framed
- Framing: Optional wood frames in a variety of colors
- Hanging: Metal sawtooth hanger included
- Durability: Scratch-resistant, humidity-resistant, and fade-resistant printing
Metal Prints: Vibrant Colors and Sharp Details
Our metal prints feature high-definition photos printed on durable ChromaLuxe® aluminum. A white base coat helps colors appear vibrant and details look sharp, while the smooth surface creates a clean, modern appearance.
Choose a glossy finish to emphasize rich colors and contrast, or select matte to help reduce reflections. Metal prints work beautifully with colorful travel photography, nature scenes, and architectural images. They can be displayed without a frame or finished with a custom wood frame in your preferred color.
Metal Print Details
- Material: High-quality ChromaLuxe® aluminum
- Finish: Glossy or matte; 30×40 available in glossy only
- Available sizes: 10
- Framing: Optional custom wood frames
- Frame dimensions: Adds 5/8″ to each side, with an overall frame depth of 1″
- Hanging: Unframed prints have a mounting block attached to the back; framed prints include a metal sawtooth hanger
- Durability: Scratch-resistant, humidity-resistant, and fade-resistant
Acrylic Prints: Crystal-Clear Images with a Floating Effect
Acrylic prints give your photos a sleek, polished appearance with exceptional clarity and rich color. Our standard acrylic prints feature images reverse-mounted to optically clear acrylic, with machine-polished edges for a smooth finish.
Aluminum mounting bolts position the print one inch away from the wall, creating a floating 3D effect. We offer a separate acrylic floating frame option with photos printed directly onto acrylic and a choice of silver, brass, or black bolts.
Acrylic is an excellent choice for colorful photography, detailed landscapes, and images you want to display with a polished, contemporary finish.
Acrylic Print Details
- Material: Optically clear acrylic with polished edges
- Available sizes: 7
- Standard acrylic depth: 1/4″, with 3/4″ diameter mounting bolts
- Floating acrylic depth: 0.22″
- Mounting: Aluminum bolts create a floating effect; floating frame options include silver, brass, and black bolts
- Hanging: Detailed hanging instructions included
- Durability: UV-resistant acrylic; standard acrylic panels are also scratch-resistant
- Care: Avoid cleaners that could affect the acrylic finish; use caution when hanging larger, heavier sizes
Framed Prints: Classic Photo Displays with Custom Mats
Our framed prints offer a traditional way to display your favorite photos with professionally assembled wood frames. Each print features archival-quality image reproduction and shatter-resistant framing-grade acrylic to protect your photo.
Choose from different frame profiles and colors to complement your space. You can keep the focus on your photo or add an acid-free top mat for a clean border. For a layered appearance, select a bottom mat to create a thin accent around the image.
Framed prints work especially well for family portraits, wedding photos, black-and-white photography, and coordinated gallery walls.
Framed Print Details
- Material: Archival-quality photo print with shatter-resistant protective acrylic
- Available sizes: 9
- Framing: Contemporary, Classic Curve, and Modern frame styles in various colors
- Matting: Optional acid-free top mat and bottom mat
- Frame dimensions: Contemporary adds 1.5″ to each side; Classic Curve adds 2.5″; Modern adds 1.75″
- Hanging: Finished with kraft paper backing and hanging wire
- Assembly: Arrives framed and ready to hang
Mounted Prints: Sleek, Lightweight Photo Wall Art
Mounted prints offer a streamlined way to display photos on a lightweight yet rigid board. We print your image directly onto high-quality black photo board with a white base layer, creating a smooth surface with a satin finish.
The 1/4″ board provides structure without the depth of a gallery-wrapped canvas. Display your mounted print unframed for a simple, clean appearance, or choose a custom wood frame for a more finished look.
Mounted prints are a great option for contemporary home décor, photo collections, and gallery walls where you want a consistent, streamlined display.
Mounted Print Details
- Material: Rigid black photo board with a white base layer
- Finish: Satin to help reduce glare
- Available sizes: 9
- Board depth: 1/4″
- Framing: Optional custom wood frames
- Frame dimensions: Adds 5/8″ to each side, with an overall depth of 1″
- Hanging: Unframed prints include a slotted hanging block; framed prints include a metal sawtooth hanger
- Durability: UV inks provide fade resistance and long-lasting color
Wood Prints: Natural Grain and Rustic Character
Our wood prints feature your photos printed directly onto natural birchwood, allowing the wood grain to remain visible through the image. Unlike canvas, metal, or traditional photo prints, the natural surface becomes part of the finished design.
One important detail to consider is that white areas of your photo will show the natural wood grain rather than print as solid white. This makes wood prints especially appealing for outdoor photography, landscapes, nature scenes, and photos that complement warm, rustic décor.
Each print is made from sustainably sourced birchwood and features beveled sides for a finished appearance without an additional frame.
Wood Print Details
- Material: Natural, sustainably sourced birchwood
- Finish: Visible wood grain beneath the printed image
- Available sizes: 5
- Depth: 1″ beveled sides
- Framing: No additional frame option
- Hanging: Grooves carved into the back; instructions and two mounting screws included
- Printing: Durable UV inks
- Production: Handmade in the USA using 100% solar power
Art Prints: Smooth Matte Paper with Optional Framing
Our art prints offer a simple way to display your favorite photos, illustrations, or artwork on premium matte cardstock. Printed on smooth, FSC®-certified paper, they deliver sharp details and accurate colors without a glossy surface.
Unlike mounted prints, art prints are printed on cardstock rather than rigid photo board. Choose an unframed print to display in your own frame, or select one of our available frame colors for a ready-to-hang piece.
Our art print frames do not include a protective covering, helping maintain the glare-free appearance of the matte paper.
Art Print Details
- Material: Smooth, recyclable FSC®-certified signature cardstock
- Finish: Matte
- Available sizes: 5
- Framing: Optional frames in a variety of colors
- Frame covering: None
- Hanging: Framed prints include kraft paper backing and hanging wire
- Image quality: High-resolution printing with accurate colors and sharp details
How to Choose the Right Wall Art Material
The best wall art for your space depends on the look you want, where you’re displaying it, and how you want your photo to stand out. Here are a few things to consider before you choose.
Consider the Finish
The finish can change how your photo looks once it’s on the wall.
- Canvas prints have a textured matte surface that softens reflections.
- Mounted prints have a satin finish that helps reduce glare.
- Art prints offer a smooth matte look on premium cardstock.
- Metal prints are available in glossy or matte finishes.
- Acrylic prints have a polished surface that enhances color, detail, and depth.
If the room gets a lot of natural light, a matte or satin finish may be the better fit.
Decide Whether You Want a Frame
Some wall art styles make a statement on their own, while others create a more traditional finished look with a frame.
For a frameless display, consider gallery-wrapped canvas, acrylic prints, wood prints, or unframed metal and mounted prints. If you prefer a more polished presentation, you can add a custom frame to many wall art styles or choose framed prints with optional matting.
Match the Material to Your Photo
Different materials highlight different photo characteristics.
- Metal and acrylic prints emphasize bold colors and fine details.
- Canvas prints add texture and a softer, more artistic feel.
- Framed prints showcase photos in a classic format.
- Wood prints let the natural grain show through lighter areas of the image, creating a unique look.
Think about whether you want your photo to look crisp and modern, warm and textured, or timeless and traditional.
Choose the Right Size for Your Space
Before ordering, measure the wall space where your print will hang. Larger pieces can create a focal point, while smaller sizes work well in gallery walls and grouped displays.
It’s also worth considering depth and framing. Some products, such as canvas prints and acrylic prints, extend farther from the wall, while frames can increase the overall dimensions of the finished piece.
Frequently Asked Questions About Photo Wall Art
Which wall art material is best for family photos?
Canvas prints and framed prints are popular choices for family photos because they offer a timeless, versatile look. If you prefer bolder color and sharper detail, metal and acrylic prints can make portraits stand out. The best choice depends on the style you want and where you’ll display it.
What’s the difference between canvas and metal prints?
Canvas prints feature a textured poly-cotton surface stretched over wood, while metal prints feature a smooth aluminum surface with sharp details and vibrant colors. Canvas offers a traditional gallery-wrapped appearance, while metal has a sleeker look with glossy and matte finish options.
What’s the difference between acrylic and metal prints?
Acrylic prints feature a polished, crystal-clear surface and float slightly away from the wall for a modern display. Metal prints are made from aluminum and are available in glossy or matte finishes. Both showcase vibrant color and sharp detail, but acrylic offers more depth while metal delivers a sleek, contemporary look.
Which wall art materials have a matte finish?
Canvas prints, art prints, and select metal prints are available with matte finishes. Mounted prints have a satin finish that helps reduce glare. Most canvas sizes are matte, though 30×40 and 36×36 canvas prints are available with a satin finish.
Can I order wall art without a frame?
Yes. Canvas, metal, mounted, acrylic, and wood prints can be displayed without a traditional outer frame. Art prints are available unframed as well. Our framed prints come assembled with a frame.
What’s the difference between framed prints and mounted prints?
Framed prints display your photo behind protective acrylic in a finished wood frame and can be customized with optional mats. Mounted prints are printed directly onto rigid photo board for a streamlined look and can be ordered with or without a frame.
Are Shutterfly wall art prints ready to hang?
Most Shutterfly wall art includes hanging hardware or built-in mounting features. Canvas prints include a metal sawtooth hanger, framed prints include hanging wire, and wood prints have hanging grooves with mounting screws. Metal and mounted prints include hanging features that vary by framing selection. Acrylic prints come with detailed hanging instructions.
Create Custom Wall Art with Shutterfly
Whether you prefer the texture of canvas, the sharp detail of metal, or the polished look of acrylic, Shutterfly offers wall art styles for every space and decorating style. Explore our custom wall art collection to compare materials, choose a size, and create a display that fits your home.
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