Acrylic glass prints are revolutionizing how we display our cherished photographs. Often hailed as the HD of wall art, printing photographs on glass, specifically acrylic glass, offers a vibrant, modern, and durable alternative to traditional photo displays. These stunning pieces transform your digital images into luminous works of art, perfect for homes, offices, or any space craving a touch of contemporary elegance.
In essence, acrylic glass prints are created by directly printing your digital images onto high-quality, shatter-resistant acrylic panels using specialized flatbed printers. This direct printing method results in exceptional image clarity and color vibrancy, making your photographs truly “pop” with life. The glossy surface of the acrylic enhances colors, creating a depth and luminosity that traditional prints simply cannot match. For those seeking an affordable yet impactful way to personalize their space, printing photographs on glass offers a sophisticated solution, turning any room into a gallery showcasing your most treasured moments.
Acrylic prints are increasingly popular in modern homes, corporate offices, upscale hospitality environments, and contemporary art galleries. This is because the medium itself is unique, offering visual characteristics that surpass standard laminated photos or photos encased in acrylic. With acrylic glass, you experience richer colors, a striking glossy finish, and superior contrast, elevating your photographs to a new level of visual appeal. The process allows for complete customization, ensuring that each piece is a unique reflection of your personal style and memories.
Each print is custom-made from your photos, ensuring a personal touch in every piece. We accommodate a wide range of custom sizes, up to an impressive 5×8 feet (96×60 inches), allowing for grand statement pieces or subtle accents. Beyond aesthetics, acrylic prints are lightweight yet remarkably durable, scratch-resistant, and easily washable, making them practical for any environment. They arrive ready to hang, simplifying installation and allowing you to quickly enjoy your new artwork. Ideal for any indoor wall space, from living rooms to boardrooms, printed photographs on glass bring a touch of sophistication and personalization.
Understanding Acrylic Print Thickness and Mounting Options
When considering printing photographs on glass, understanding the options for thickness and mounting is key to achieving your desired aesthetic and functionality.
Acrylic Print Thickness:
While we offer various thicknesses, our 1/8 inch acrylic is a consistently popular choice, balancing durability and weight. It’s important to note that the thickness of the acrylic does not compromise the image quality. We provide options in 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, and 3/8 inch panels to cater to different preferences and project requirements. For prints with 3/16 inch thickness and above, the edges are meticulously smoothed, enhancing the overall finish and creating a beautiful translucent edge effect where the image extends to the very border of the acrylic.
Mounting Styles:
Big Acrylic provides four distinct mounting styles, each offering a unique way to display your printed photographs on glass:
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Standoff Mount: This option uses four brushed stand-off screws, one in each corner, to securely mount the print to the wall. It provides a clean, industrial-chic look.
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Float Off The Wall Mount: Our most frequently chosen style, the float mount uses a block fastened to the back of the print, creating a striking “floating” effect 1 inch away from the wall. This adds depth and dimension to your artwork.
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Float Frame Mount: This traditional framing approach builds a frame around the acrylic print, leaving a subtle gap between the print edges and the frame. It offers a classic, gallery-style presentation.
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Flushmount: A hybrid style, the flushmount places the acrylic print on top of and supported by a polished MDF frame. This provides a solid, contemporary look, blending elements of both floating and framed styles.
Hanging hardware is included with every acrylic print, ensuring a hassle-free setup regardless of the mounting style you select.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Printing Photographs on Glass
Choosing to Print Photographs On Glass might bring up some questions. We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you make an informed decision.
Acrylic vs. Plexiglass: What’s the Difference?
Essentially, there is no difference. Plexiglass is simply a brand name for acrylic, much like Kleenex is a brand of tissue. Both terms refer to the same versatile and clear plastic material.
Is Acrylic Glass?
While not glass in the traditional sense, acrylic is often referred to as acrylic glass because it shares many visual properties with glass. However, acrylic is a superior alternative in many ways: it’s significantly more shatter-resistant, much lighter, and therefore safer and easier to handle, especially for large format prints. Acrylic offers the clarity and smoothness of glass but with enhanced durability and safety.
What Are the Advantages of Printing on Acrylic?
Printing your photographs on acrylic offers numerous benefits, especially if you appreciate a modern aesthetic. The key advantages include:
- Vivid Colors: Acrylic printing brings colors to life with exceptional vibrancy and saturation.
- Glossy, Chic Look: The inherent gloss of acrylic provides a sleek, contemporary finish that enhances the visual appeal of your photos.
- Durability: Acrylic is robust, scratch-resistant, and easy to clean, ensuring your prints remain pristine for years.
- Lightweight: Compared to glass, acrylic is much lighter, making it easier to hang and less stressful on walls, particularly for larger pieces.
Who is Ideal for Acrylic Prints?
Acrylic prints are versatile and suitable for a wide range of settings and individuals, including:
- Homeowners: Looking to modernize their home décor with personalized wall art.
- Businesses: Enhancing office spaces, retail environments, and lobbies with professional and eye-catching displays.
- Healthcare Facilities: Creating calming and visually appealing environments in hospitals and clinics.
- Institutions and Public Spaces: Ideal for trade shows, airports, hotels, and any location seeking durable and attractive wall décor.
Does Acrylic Thickness Affect Image Quality?
No, the thickness of the acrylic (whether 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, or 3/8 inch) does not alter the quality of the printed image. The choice of thickness is primarily aesthetic or related to the perceived robustness of the piece, not image clarity.
How is the Image Applied to the Acrylic?
We use a state-of-the-art flatbed printer to digitally print your images directly onto the acrylic surface. This direct printing technique ensures superb color reproduction and image detail, resulting in high-definition prints.
Is Edge-to-Edge Printing Available?
Yes, we typically print directly to the edge of the acrylic panel, creating a seamless, modern look. However, we also offer the option to add a border if you prefer. You can choose a 1-inch or 2-inch border in clear, black, or white to frame your image within the acrylic.
Can I Order Custom Sizes?
Absolutely! We specialize in custom sizes and can accommodate prints up to 60×96 inches. Whether you need a specific dimension to fit a particular space or want to create a uniquely sized piece, custom sizes are readily available.
What is acrylic.
Order a custom size print.
Check out our hanging options.
Check out some of our other products.
Top Questions About Acrylic Glass Prints Answered
Before you decide to print photographs on glass, you might have more specific questions. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about acrylic prints:
1) Does the thickness of the acrylic affect image quality?
No. Regardless of whether you choose 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, or 3/8 inch thickness, the image quality remains consistent. Thicker acrylic may offer a subtle translucent effect when viewed from the side, but the image itself is unaffected by the thickness.
2) Is acrylic actually glass?
Acrylic is not glass, though it’s visually very similar. Acrylic is lighter, more durable, and generally less expensive. While glass is scratch-resistant, it’s prone to shattering. Acrylic is significantly stronger than glass and, if it does break, it tends to fracture into larger, less sharp pieces, enhancing safety. Acrylic also boasts a slightly higher light transmittance rate (92%) compared to glass (90%).
3) Can acrylic prints be hung outdoors?
No, we strongly advise against displaying acrylic prints outdoors. Despite claims by some printers, acrylic is not designed to withstand prolonged exposure to outdoor elements. For outdoor displays, we recommend considering our metal prints, which are specifically designed for outdoor durability.
4) Can parts of my acrylic panel be clear where there’s no print?
Yes, this is possible. To achieve this translucent effect, you should select the standoff mounting option. Float mounts, which use a solid block on the back, would obscure any clear areas of the acrylic.
5) Can I use images from the internet for large acrylic prints?
Yes, you can. However, for large prints, high-resolution images are crucial. If you plan to create large acrylic panels, it’s best to use images from reputable stock photo sites like www.shutterstock.com or www.istockphoto.com. For free options, www.pixabay.com offers a selection of images, but always check the resolution and suitability for large-scale printing.
6) Does a large acrylic panel need to be thicker with a float mount?
No, even for larger sizes (over 60×40 inches), 1/8 inch acrylic works well with float mounts and is often recommended due to its lighter weight. Thicker acrylic, like 1/4 inch, might be unnecessarily heavy for wall mounting. Again, the thickness does not impact the print quality.
7) What’s the difference between an acrylic print and facemounting?
In facemounting, the image is printed on photographic paper and then sandwiched between a sheet of acrylic and a rigid backing material like Dibond. Acrylic prints, in contrast, involve printing the image directly onto the back of the acrylic panel itself. Direct printing is often considered more modern and integrated.
8) How do I determine the right size to order?
We provide standard sizes on our website and offer custom sizing options as well. Our website includes a cropping tool that allows you to preview how your image will look at different dimensions. This is particularly useful if you’re unsure how a specific size, like 24×18 inches, will fit your image composition.
9) How long will an acrylic print last?
Acrylic prints are exceptionally durable and long-lasting. Even with direct sunlight exposure, acrylic is highly resistant to fading. You can expect your acrylic print to maintain its quality for 30 years or more.
10) How should I clean my acrylic print?
The best way to clean your acrylic print is by dusting it with a soft, non-abrasive cloth. For more thorough cleaning, you can use mild soap and water or a specialized acrylic cleaner. Avoid abrasive cleaners or cloths that could scratch the surface.
Elevate your photographs into stunning displays with prints on acrylic glass. Experience the vibrant colors, modern aesthetic, and lasting quality of acrylic prints and transform your space today!
