There are many different options for printing your artwork. I use a handful of print companies to get the best quality and price for my clients. Each client’s home is different as are their portraits. We will work together to customize your portraits to your space. We can tackle the project from different angles:
1) Budget: Most client’s have a budget in mind and that can be a great place to start. Whether you have a large budget or smaller budget, knowing it helps me to show you the products and companies that will work within your goal. I can inform you of the different types of artwork available but I can let you know specifically what will work within your budget. If a client has their heart set on a certain type of artwork–a canvas for instance–I can work to find you the best company that will meet my quality expectations and within your budget. I also LOVE a good bargain. I know my clients do too. I will always research sales within my handful of print companies and inform you of the options available.
2) Permanence: I like to ask my client’s how often they re-decorate or change artwork out. Some clients, let’s call them long-term decorators, may decorate a room and keep it that way for several years. They decorate and move on to another space in the home for artwork. Other clients, let’s call them short-term decorators, will re-decorate the same room every year or even within the year for the different seasons. They may change room colors, add new furniture, have new portraits taken, change accessories seasonally and with that the artwork on the walls. They like to keep things up-to-date. Asking about your decorating style can also help clients realize expectations for their artwork. They can then more clearly see how to value artwork. If for instance you are a long-term decorator you may be interested in spending more on artwork because it will be around for years. You want to love it and have it perfectly fit and complement the room. You may opt for canvas or gallery wrap art rather than framed prints. Or you may opt to spend a little more to custom mat and frame portraits rather than go with standard sizes with no mat. Short-term decorators may opt for framed prints so that they are easily switched out. Or going the artwork route they may opt for groups of multiple smaller-sized pieces of artwork so that they can mix in new artwork over time. For example, rather than 1 large 30×40 print they may decide to order six 12 x 12 pieces or a mix of sizes and then swap pieces out as they like.
3) Number of Images: Many times this is a great way to pare down our choices. You’ve invested the time and money to have the portraits made and you absolutely love certain ones. If you have chosen 2 portraits versus 5 portraits that you want on your walls then we have a place to start. Knowing the size of the wall and the images you have chosen we can figure out the best sizes and art types to complement your space.
4) Room Space: Living in Texas we see a wide spectrum of ceiling heights and room sizes. If you live in a home with ceilings to the skies and walls that don’t seem to end then you will most likely want to think about larger prints and artwork to make the space feel balanced. You may also be able to use multiple large prints/artwork without feeling overwhelmed. Hanging large artwork in smaller rooms with lower ceilings may make the space feel out of proportion. Sometimes clients decide on one large print rather than multiple smaller ones even though the room could handle either because they feel that the one large print feels less cluttered and provides a simple focus point. To other clients it is not a problem–it is very subjective and depends on the individual as well as the other decorative elements in the room (furniture and accessories).
Whew! Lots to think about, right? Well, keeping the above in mind, here are a few options for getting your portraits up in your home.
- Prints: These come in a multitude of sizes, paper types and finishes. Typical papers that I print for clients are Kodak Endura Premier Paper for color printing, Metallic paper which can give your portrait a cool three-dimensional look, and True Black and White paper. Finishes are textures or coatings that are applied to the prints to change the look of the print and make them look more like artwork. Some options are: lustre coating, pebble texture, fine linen texture, palette texture. Clients add mats and frames additionally.
- Gallery Wraps: These also come in various sizes depending on the company. The print is made directly on to canvas and the portrait wraps around the edge of the frame so that no frame is needed. Gallery Wraps are ready to hang on the wall right out of the packaging.
- Standouts: Portraits are printed on one of the typical papers and then mounted on to the top of foam board. The edges are solid color and depending on the company can come in various colors like black, white, stainless steel or bamboo. The depths of the foam board also vary depending on the company but 1.5 inch or 2.5 inch depths are typical. Standouts come predrilled and are ready to hang on the wall upon arrival. The foam mount makes Standouts very light weight and can be simply hung with nails. They also look great standing directly on a shelf or mantle.
- Metal Frames: Portraits are printed on chromaluxe materials and are available in various surfaces (high-gloss, mid-gloss, satin, or sheer). These prints can then be flush mounted or wedge mounted onto metal frames.
- Metal Prints: Portraits are printed onto aluminum sheet with a clear or white base finishing. These prints can then be mounted various ways which include magnet mount, metal easel, or float mount.
- Wood Prints: Portraits are printed directly onto wood substrates. Depending on the company and effect desired, underlays can be applied so that the natural wood grain is minimized. Clients may also have the option to have a full bleed portrait where the image goes all the way to the edges or they may choose to have the image framed with a border. Mulitple images can be made into a collage to print as one canvas. Wood Prints come pre-drilled or with mounts attached so that they are ready to hang upon arrival.
Images included in this post come from Miller’s Professional Imaging, Bayphoto and Woodsnap. They are strictly representative of the materials and options available. The images shown were not taken by Susan Soriano Photography.
