Choosing between canvas and paper for your artwork comes down to presentation, purpose, and personal style. Each medium offers unique benefits—canvas gives your prints texture and depth, while paper allows for a range of finishes and framing options. Here’s how to decide which will best complement your work and appeal to your buyers.
Why Presentation Matters
When artists create original works, they often envision how the final piece will appear when displayed. That same attention to presentation should guide how you print your reproductions. The choice of media influences not only the look of your artwork but also its durability, pricing, and framing possibilities.
At The Stackhouse, we offer a range of papers and canvas options to fit every aesthetic. While giclée paper prints excel in color fidelity and surface detail, our canvas prints preserve the tactile, gallery-ready feel of original works on stretched fabric.
Benefits of Canvas
Our canvas prints are produced on Epson Exhibition Canvas Matte, a heavyweight cotton-poly blend with a bright white point and subtle woven texture. The result is a surface that adds warmth and dimension to your art while maintaining vivid color accuracy. Canvas prints come with your choice of Matte or Satin protective finishes that guard against UV rays, moisture, and scratches.
Canvas is also more resilient than paper during handling and shipping. Its flexible, cloth-like surface resists tears and dents, while our protective laminate adds further durability and water resistance.
Pro Tip: Our acrylic-based finishes are compatible with most acrylic paints and mediums, so you can add hand embellishments directly to your print. Order our Free Media Sample Set to test remarque techniques before final production.
Loose Canvas Prints
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Print Surface | Giclée printed on archival canvas with a protective finish |
| Borders | ¼", 1", or 2" available for stretching or matting |
| Printing | 12-color inkjet printing for museum-grade accuracy |
| Sizes | 4x4" to 40x60" |
Loose canvas prints range from $5.50 to $402, making them a slightly higher investment than paper prints. They can also be mounted on Gatorfoam or foam board for a rigid, frame-ready presentation.
See our size and pricing guide for full dimensions and pricing options. If you need a non-standard size, contact us to arrange a custom order.
Pro Tip: Order your loose canvas with an extra border if you plan to stretch it at home or have it professionally framed later.
Gallery-Wrapped Canvas Prints
Gallery-wrapped canvas prints are stretched over wooden bars and finished with mirrored or solid-colored edges. They’re a favorite among artists and interior designers for their clean, frameless appearance. At The Stackhouse, each wrap comes with hanging hardware—wire or sawtooth—based on the print size, making them ready to hang right out of the box.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Surface | Archival giclée canvas with matte or satin finish |
| Depth | Available in ¾" or 1½" stretcher bar depth |
| Edge Options | Mirrored, black, or white border wrap |
| Hanging Hardware | Wire or sawtooth mount depending on size |
| Sizes | 8x10" to 36x60" |
Gallery-wrapped canvases range from $58.50 to $508. Due to stretching and shipping requirements, larger custom sizes may have additional lead times. If you need a specific format, contact our team to see if we can accommodate your request.
Benefits of Paper
Paper prints offer a broader selection of textures and finishes, from ultra-smooth matte surfaces to luminous glossy coatings. They’re ideal for artists and photographers seeking versatility in presentation, as paper can be easily matted, framed, or packaged for retail.
Like canvas, paper prints can be mounted or displayed temporarily with foam board backing for protection and stability. Adding a mat or frame transforms loose prints into ready-to-display artwork that enhances perceived value.
Paper prints at The Stackhouse range from $4 to $357.50, with the same size options available as our canvas prints. Whether you choose a textured fine art paper like William Turner or a vibrant photo finish like Luster Photo Paper, each medium highlights your art in a distinct way.
Pricing and Framing Considerations
In general, paper prints are more affordable than canvas. However, the Gallery-Wrapped Canvas requires no framing, which can offset the initial cost. Framing paper prints can double or even triple their price depending on size and materials, so it’s worth researching local frame shops for pricing and options before finalizing your sizes.
Standard-size prints (such as 8x10 or 16x20) are easier and cheaper to frame than custom dimensions. If your art has a nonstandard aspect ratio, consider whether cropping or added borders will simplify framing for your buyers.
Canvas vs Paper: Which Is Best?
There’s no single winner between canvas and paper—both have their strengths. Canvas offers durability, texture, and a ready-to-display finish, while paper provides versatility, sharpness, and a wide range of finishes. The best choice depends on your artwork’s aesthetic and how you intend to present or sell it.
Need help deciding? Order a Free Media Sample Set to see and feel the differences in person, or contact our team for personalized guidance on which medium suits your project best.
Ready to print? Explore Giclée Fine Art Prints and start your next order today.
