Framed art prints and canvas wall art are the two most popular formats for decorating a home, and both are searched for in huge numbers across the US, UK, Canada and Australia. They look and feel quite different on the wall. This guide compares them honestly so you can choose the right one for your room and the art you love.
What is a framed art print?
A framed print is artwork printed on paper, set behind a clear front and finished with a frame. At Vael, that means 310 g/m² museum-grade fine art paper, a slim solid wood frame and UV-protective plexiglass.
What is canvas wall art?
Canvas prints are printed on a woven fabric that is stretched over a wooden frame. The edges usually wrap around the sides, and there is no glazing in front.
Detail and colour
Smooth fine art paper holds very fine detail and subtle tonal shifts, which is why galleries and museums use it for photography and works on paper. Canvas has a woven texture that softens fine detail. For soft abstracts, ink drawings, botanicals and photography, paper usually shows more of the work.
The look on the wall
- Framed prints have a crisp, finished edge and a gallery feel. The frame can be chosen to match your furniture.
- Canvas has a deeper, frameless profile and a more casual feel.
If your interior is considered and modern, framed art tends to look more refined. If you love a relaxed, frameless look, canvas suits that.
Protection and longevity
A frame with a clear front protects the print from dust, touch and fading light. Our UV-protective plexiglass is also lighter and safer than glass, which makes larger pieces easy to hang. Canvas is exposed to the room and needs more care in kitchens and sunny spots.
Flexibility
Choosing the frame finish lets you tune a print to the room: black wood for definition, light wood for warmth, white for lightness and pure gold for a soft glow. Read choosing a frame finish.
Which should you choose?
- Choose framed art for detailed work, photography, a polished look, bedrooms, living rooms and anywhere you want the art protected.
- Choose canvas for a relaxed, frameless style and very large painterly abstracts.
Vael works exclusively in framed fine art prints, because we think paper and a beautiful frame show our artwork at its best.
Frequently asked questions
Is framed art more expensive than canvas?
It depends on materials. Quality framed prints use archival paper, solid wood and glazing, so they often cost more than basic canvas, and they tend to last longer and look more finished.
Do framed prints have glare?
Plexiglass reflects some light, like any glazing. Hanging art away from direct window light or using soft lamps keeps reflections to a minimum.
Which lasts longer, canvas or framed prints?
Framed prints behind UV-protective glazing are better protected from light and dust, which helps them keep their colour for many years.
Explore framed fine art prints in four sizes and four frame finishes.
