Question 8 of 18 · Chapter 2: Choosing
Is a metal print right for me?
A metal print is the modern, bold, dynamic choice. The photograph is printed on aluminum, mounted to a smaller aluminum frame, and arrives ready to hang with a nail or two. Whether it’s right for you is a personal call. I have both paper and metal in my own home, and neither one is better.
The one thing a screen can’t show you is the feeling of depth. That’s especially true of my land and seascapes, the portrait-orientation ones with something near and something far in the frame. On metal, that depth is what you notice.
How does it hang? The aluminum print is mounted to a smaller aluminum frame. A nail or two in the wall and you’re done. It comes complete and ready to hang, with rubber feet to protect your walls.
Why Choose Metal Prints?
Here’s what you get with metal.
Benefits:
- Vivid colors and crisp detail that change with the light
- Ready to hang straight from the box, with rubber feet to protect your walls
Sizes & Placement
| Size | Best For |
|---|---|
| 9×12″ | Shelves, desks, small spaces |
| 12×18″ | Bedrooms, small office spaces |
| 18×24″ | Living rooms, home offices |
| 20×30″ | Dining rooms, medium walls |
| 24×36″ | Large feature walls |
| 30×45″ | Corporate spaces, big walls |
| 40×60″ | Lobbies, galleries, very large walls |
Placement Tips:
- Hang at eye level (or slightly above furniture)
- Avoid spots where sunlight or a lamp bounces straight off it
- Use multiple metal prints together for a modern gallery effect
Where to put it
Honestly, any space you have. I do look for a spot where natural light or room lighting won’t bounce off it. I treat it the same as a framed print, and I like to give a metal print a little extra space to live in. With a framed print, the frame contains the image. A metal print has no such boundary.
Is it too shiny or too modern?
It can be. It can also be the statement piece you design a whole room around.
Metal or paper?
I can’t answer that for you, only you can. To me it’s a personal choice. Paper is traditional, quiet and subtle. Metal is modern, bold and dynamic. I have a mix of both at home. The short version is on Should I choose a paper or metal print?
How Metal Prints Are Made
- Created with dye-sublimation on aluminum, fusing colors into the metal
- Gives a depth and glow that paper doesn’t have
- Arrives ready to hang, no frame required
Key Benefits of Metal Prints
- Stands out in a room
- Colors that shift with natural and artificial light
- Suits modern or minimalist rooms
- Works alone or in a group
When you’re ready to look at the photographs, the galleries are here.