Studio Guides: The difference between wrapped and flat canvas prints
What is the difference between wrapped and flat canvas prints? Discover details and advantages so that you can choose the best style for your art.
FLAT CANVAS ART PRINT
- materials -
My flat canvas art prints are printed on gallery matte canvas with archival, fade-resistant inks made to last over 100 years. Gallery matte canvas is a well-textured 19 mil bright white, consistent poly-cotton blend with a real matte look and feel. A matte canvas finish gives your print an elegant, museum style, natural finish.
- style -
Flat canvas art prints lay flat once they are unrolled from their packaging, although smaller print sizes sometimes ship in a flat mailer. Borderless art prints are printed all the way out to the edge of the flat canvas (as seen below). White bordered prints will show a white border up to the image.
- advantages -
Flat canvas prints generally sell at a lower price point than wrapped canvas prints and boast a high variety of framing and self-framing options. Flat canvas prints can be put directly into a frame (DIY) and displayed with or without glass. Like with paper art prints, flat canvas prints can be matted and framed for an elegant, spacious style.
Borderless, flat canvas prints of “Abstract I & II”, from my Luynes Collection
WRAPPED CANVAS ART PRINT
- materials -
My wrapped canvas art prints are also printed on gallery matte canvas with archival, fade-resistant inks made to last over 100 years. Gallery matte canvas is a well-textured 19 mil bright white, consistent poly-cotton blend with a real matte look and feel. A matte canvas finish gives your print an elegant, museum style, natural finish.
- style -
Wrapped canvas art prints are wrapped and set onto wooden bars (imagine a simple wooden frame but under the canvas print). These act as an internal frame, displaying the art similarly to an original painting which is stretched onto bars.
Wrapped canvas prints are professionally attached to the boards (wrapped), showing the painting image on the outside edges, to create a stand-alone, beautiful piece of art ready to hang.
- advantages -
Wrapped canvas prints are immediately ready to hang on the wall, unframed. Although they cost slightly more compared to flat canvas prints, their readiness to hang can be a bonus.
Wrapped canvas prints can be framed in any variation, just like flat canvas prints. However, unless you’re seeking a box-style frame, where the frame sits slightly away from the canvas wrapped edges to show the depth, you may as well choose a flat canvas print as the mat or frame will hide the canvas wrapped edge, rendering it unnecessary.
Wrapped canvas print of “La Sainte-Victoire”, from my Sainte-Victoire Collection
Each print style has versatility in framing and displays the original art beautifully with the highest quality materials. Your choice between the two may come down to simply which one you like better. Both of these print styles are sure to uplift your home and create fantastic gifts.
Did you find this print style guide useful? Let me know in the comments or send me an email with any questions or further discussion. Thank you for reading and for your interest in my art prints!
Avery Ches is a chalk pastel painter and photographer focusing on big sky landscapes and nude forms. Originally from Kentucky, she calls New Orleans, LA her home in the US and currently resides in the Mediterranean region with her cat Beauregard. You can follow her daily art practice on Instagram.