Metal Prints Vs Acrylic Prints For Art Gallery

I love the acrylic. I plan on having a mix of acrylic and canvas when I do my next gallery show. Acrylic for images with bright color and detail and canvas for images where it would work better like certain texture dominated images.

Both look very cool and will make your work really pop. Most have the hardware in the back ready to hang, saving the cost of a good frame too.

IIka,

Nice images! And will look great on metal or acrylic.

But keep in mind, how shiny and reflective both these surfaces are, might distract in a Gallery setting and the ceiling lights/spots on them. I've been to one show and the artist had all acrylic(4 pieces) and the way the overhead lights were aimed on her stuff,made it very distracting and she was very frustrated,

Rich

I agree with Rich. Reflections can ruin the looks of a fine piece of work.

I sold a large print to someone in Arizona who framed it with glass. When I emailed him to send me a photo, he said he hated himself for being cheap and choosing glass over the non-glare stuff. It was just a huge 30x40 inch mirror.

I had a few pieces exhibited at a gallery this past summer. I had never shown on metal before but after speaking with the gallery owner about presentation restrictions (some galleries like to maintain a uniform appearance) She mentioned that all types of finished presentation were accepted and most people go with traditional framed photo print and canvas. She then mentioned something about metal prints looking wonderful. Based on that comment I decided to go with the metal. When they arrived I did worry a bit about how reflective they were but the gallery was quite skilled in hanging and lighting them and there were no reflections. My pieces looked amazing, like they were lit from within. I saw several people actually trying to look behind them to see if there was a light behind it. The show was judged by single judge and while I did not win any of the judges ribbons one of mine won the peoples choice award which included a cash prize and it was also purchased by a local physician.

I think your examples will look beautiful on metal or acrylic Ilka, Let us know what you decide!

IIka,

I agree with Chuck and Laura,really depends on the gallery and how well they handle the lighting. In most of my shows,what light were there were what you had to deal with and they frowned on getting on a ladder and re-directing the spot lights. A good gallery will know how to light each piece,so do some research and see if they will allow acrylic or metal prints and have hung them before,

Rich

I just got back from a visit with a local printer I like. He does both commercial and fine art printing.

He prints on canvas, banner, metal, dibond, fabric, plexiglass, etc.

I've had a large format image printed on Dibond (2 sheets of white aluminum glued together with a very strong polystyrene core). It looks great but is an expensive option.

I was suprised to see fine art photography samples on banner material mounted just like canvas on a frame. Visually, there is no difference. You can only tell it's banner material if you touch the surface. The banner prints are much cheaper than canvas and the material is waterproof, ultraviolet resistant, durable and long lasting.

I went to see samples of back-printing on plexiglass. I think it might be a good media for my computer graphic work as it adds dimension and 'pop' with brilliant colors and sharp detail. Considerations:
1. It is among the most expensive media (36"x36"=$630, 18"x18"=$460)
2. They recommend either a traditional picture frame or 'stand-off' mounting (drill holes at each corner and mount it an inch or so off the face of the wall with mounting posts since you cannot attach mounts by gluing them to the ink surface on the back of the plexiglass).

Make a little trip to visit printers who have samples of the latest technology, you may find something you never imagined.

Best wishes!

For those of you who have seen both, in terms of gloss and being scratch-resistant, how does metal compare with acrylic? Thanks!

I love my acrylic prints! I had a customer at a show buy one and he told me he loved them. So much he wants me to do a commission piece for him this summer and have them printed on acrylic. I use the mounting post and have said, and will say again now, I would like to see the post offered on metal prints as well. Some people don't like them but they are a unique way of displaying art.

In terms of scratch resistance, read this thread from a few weeks back ....

http://fineartamerica.com/showmessages.php?messageid=1797919

I bit the bullet and ordered the acrylic. I hope that the wow factor will offset the cost! It is a short exhibit so I am keeping my fingers crossed!

Compared to a framed print of similar size, acrylics are a good deal!

Wanted to give some feedback for those who are thinking of doing acrylic. I printed the photos on metallic paper and then used a 1/4" gallery plex. People absolutely loved the acrylic, they felt that they were inside the photo. I think it is not for all photography, but for my abstracts it was the perfect medium. The lights at the gallery were not an issue.