Acrylic and metal prints both are high-definition good quality prints made of premium-quality materials. People who need high-quality printed photos choose these prints for their sharpness and edginess. People also choose these prints because of their lifetime color guarantee. In this article, We will give a detailed comparison of Acrylic vs Metal Prints.
Acrylic print comes with a bright and glossy look which reflects light on the image through the acrylic sheet. Acrylic prints are done on high-quality photo papers and then pasted on a diamond-polished acrylic sheet.
The metal print comes with a white base coat and is printed on aluminum. The white coat makes colors more vivid on the metal print, which gives a modern and high-definition look. The metal prints can be hung without any frame and are also popular for their affordability.
Differences Between Acrylic Prints vs. Metal Prints
There are some significant differences between acrylic print and metal print. If you are new in the photography line, then these differences will help you choose which one you prefer for your work.
Longevity of Acrylic vs. Metal prints
When it comes to longevity, both prints are durable, and both are popular for their durability.
Acrylic prints come with a Plexiglas sheet, which is UV resistant and waterproof. It is worn and tear-resistant. Acrylic prints are very easy to clean as you just need to whip off the glass. One thing to keep in mind, while carrying or moving the print, you need to be extra cautious as it is made of glass, and it might be damaged if it falls down
It is said that metal prints do not fade for at least 100 years if it is directly exposed to sunlight. These prints are very light in weight, scratch-resistant, easy to clean, and wear and tear-resistant.
For cleaning, whip the print with a soft fabric, and that’s it; don’t worry, the print won’t come off. This print can survive fine in UV rays and humidity. Additionally, you do not have to worry about it being broken while transporting it from somewhere as it is made of metal.
Affordability
As acrylic prints come with Plexiglas sheet, it is a bit more expensive than metal print. Metal print here earns one extra point for this.
In fact, considering weight, durability, and color quality, a metal print is the cheapest among other good-quality prints. But if you are looking for vintage-looking prints, you won’t find that in metal.
Placement of Metal and Acrylic Prints
Placement is very important when choosing between acrylic and metal prints. There are some locations where you have to consider lighting and weather.
If you are planning to keep your print in a humid place like a toilet or kitchen, then you might want to go for acrylic prints as the hanging material benefits hanging it without any problem. Humidity might destroy the hanging material of metal print.
Acrylic prints are recommended for the living room or even the bedroom. If you have proper lighting, the acrylic print looks more elegant than metal prints in these areas. Proper lighting means soft and spread-out lighting.
If your room has hard and direct light, then the high gloss and smoothness of acrylic print will reflect, which is not good. On the other hand, you can keep metal prints in such hard and direct lighting areas as metal prints come with low gloss and matte finish.
Keeping Them Outside
If you are planning to keep the prints in a place where children can touch them, then metal prints are better. This is because the handprints will look ugly on acrylic prints, and there will be a chance of damaging the print.
If you are planning to keep the print outside, then the metal print is a better choice, as these prints are made of aluminum. You can also hang acrylic prints outdoors, but in comparison, metal prints last better outside.
The versatility of the Prints
If we talk about versatility, acrylic prints are more versatile than metal prints. There is a handful of hanging options available for acrylic prints. Whereas metal prints have very limited options.
From the bunch of acrylic hanging options, you can easily find the best hanging option which goes with your interior, but metal print will go only with modern or professional interiors if set indoors.
Quality of the Acrylic VS Metal Prints
If you are looking for something vintage and sharp, then go for acrylic prints. Its high glare will give you a vintage look with crisp color.
Acrylic prints tend to pop out within themselves; therefore, if you want to highlight the print, then this is the one. Also, acrylic prints are more realistic than metal prints. Because of its sharpness, you will see more detail and depth in acrylic print.
If you want something modern or professional, then you might want to go for metal prints. The aluminum will give you a bold vibe, and the low glare will help the print mend with the interior, as it will not pop out from the wall.
What is the Requirement
It would help if you also considered what you want from the print. If you want something eye-catching that will grab your attention and make you look and read it, then you should go for acrylic prints.
If you want something subtle or a décor piece which will complement other furniture or decoration items and will not grab your attention separately, then you should choose metal prints.
Both of these prints are of very good quality. Every element has its own merits and demerits, but these do not make acrylic or metal prints bad. You just need to choose the suitable one for you. Placement, weather, situation, lighting, etc., has a lot to do with print quality as well. Therefore before going for any print, consider these points as well.
Which is better, metal or acrylic?
Printing on metal provides greater longevity than other types of printing. They can resist being scratched, they are flame resistant, and they are waterproof. Prints made of metal can also be shown in places with a lot of dampness.
Fingerprints and smudges may be removed from metal prints considerably more easily than they can be removed from acrylic or glass prints. You will find this to be the case when you make use of metal prints.
What Are the Disadvantages of Acrylic?
Acrylic is a hard surface; it looks beautiful but can also be very expensive. So, you will need to spend more than metal prints.
Normally, it resists scratches and stains. However, if your children spill drinks, juice, milk, etc., they won’t stain the surface. So, paying more sometimes wouldn’t make it resistant to scratches all the time.
Also, if you use wood polish regularly, you’ll notice the finish will wear off faster.
And finally, because of its hardness, you’ll have to do extra maintenance to keep it looking fresh. Once a year is enough for most surfaces, but check your manufacturer’s instructions to see what their recommendations are.
Alternatives to Metal Prints and Acrylic Prints
When it comes to art, there are many different ways to create beautiful and unique pieces. One way is to use metal prints and acrylic prints. However, there are some alternatives that can be used instead. Here are three examples:
1. Wood Prints: Wood prints have been around for a long time and are still popular. They can be created on any kind of paper, whether that be thick paper or thin paper. They are easy to make, and they look great on any level of artistry.
2. Stone Prints: Stone prints are similar to wood prints, but they use a variety of different materials to create their printouts. They can be created on any kind of paper, including thick paper or thin paper.
Last Few Words
Both acrylic and metal prints can be a good choice depending on your needs. Where acrylic can be long-lasting for certain areas, the price is a bit more than metal. On the other hand, metal can be shiny, smooth, and durable.
So what do you think about this article? Stay tuned for more updates.
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