Wall Art Material Guide
Every design in the shop comes in three materials: a fine art paper poster, a stretched matte canvas, and the same canvas set inside a floating frame. They look different on the wall, they are made differently, and they suit different rooms and budgets. This guide covers each one in full, from the paper weight and the inks to what is on the back, how it hangs and how to look after it, so you know exactly what will arrive before you order.
The three materials at a glance
If you only read one part of this page, read this table. Each column is covered in detail further down.
| Paper poster | Stretched canvas | Framed canvas | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Print surface | Museum-grade archival matte paper | Cotton and polyester canvas with a matte coating | Cotton and polyester canvas with a matte coating |
| Weight or depth | 200 gsm paper | 1.25 in (3.2 cm) deep | Canvas inside a floating frame |
| Printing | Giclée, pigmented archival inks | Latex inks, UL GREENGUARD Gold certified | Latex inks, UL GREENGUARD Gold certified |
| Finish | Matte, no glare | Matte, no glare | Matte, no glare |
| Frame | None, sold unframed | Inner pine stretcher frame, no outer frame | Pine floating frame in natural, espresso, black or white |
| Hanging | Needs a frame, clips or hangers | Back hanging hardware included | Sawtooth hanger already attached |
| Ready to hang | No | Yes | Yes |
| Size tolerance | ± 1/16 in (1.6 mm) | ± 1/8 in (3.2 mm) | ± 1/8 in (3.2 mm) |
| Cleaning | Clean, dry cloth | Clean, damp cloth | Clean, damp cloth |
| Best for | Framing your own way, small sizes, the lowest price | A clean modern look with no glass | A finished, gallery look straight out of the box |
Fine art paper poster
The poster is the purest version of a design: the artwork, printed on heavy matte paper, with nothing added. It is the material most people buy when they already own frames, want a specific frame of their own, or are building a gallery wall in sizes that need to match frames they have chosen.
Museum-grade archival paper
Every poster is printed on museum-grade archival paper, the same class of paper used for gallery and museum reproductions. Archival means the paper is made to last: it can be kept on a wall or in a drawer for a long time without turning yellow, the way ordinary paper does as it ages.
The paper weighs 200 gsm (grams per square meter), roughly twice the weight of everyday printer paper. In the hand it feels substantial and lies flat rather than flopping, and it takes ink cleanly enough to hold fine lines, soft gradients and the grain of a painted original.
Giclée printing with pigment inks
Posters are printed giclée, the fine art printing method used for limited-edition prints. Instead of the dye-based inks found in most home and office printers, giclée printing uses pigmented archival inks. Pigment sits on the paper as tiny particles of color, which gives deeper blacks, smoother tones and far better resistance to light.
The result is bright, intense color that holds its strength over time. Pigment inks are made to resist fading, so a poster can hang in a room that gets regular daylight without the color washing out. As with any artwork, keeping it out of strong, direct sun through the hottest part of the day will help it look new for longer.
A matte finish
The paper has a premium matte surface. Matte does not bounce light back at you, so there is no glare from windows or lamps, and the print reads evenly from across the room. It also means fingerprints and reflections are far less noticeable than on a glossy print.
Sold unframed
Posters arrive without a frame. Most of our inch sizes and every A size are standard frame sizes, so a ready-made frame from any home store will fit. Check the Size Guide for the exact measurements of each size before you buy one.
A few tips for framing a poster yourself:
- Match the frame size to the print size. An 18 × 24 in poster goes in an 18 × 24 in frame. If you want a mat border around the art, buy a larger frame with a mat cut for your print size.
- Handle the paper by its edges and lay it face up on a clean, dry surface while you open the frame.
- Clean the glass first and let it dry fully, so no moisture or streaks end up against the print.
- Glass or acrylic protects the print from dust and touch, and is a good idea in kitchens, hallways and children's rooms.
Poster specifications
| Paper | Museum-grade archival matte paper |
| Paper weight | 200 gsm |
| Printing | Giclée, top-tier pigmented archival inks |
| Finish | Matte |
| Orientation | Portrait or landscape, depending on the design |
| Frame | Not included |
| Use | Indoor only |
| Size tolerance | ± 1/16 in (1.6 mm) |
| Care | Wipe dust away gently with a clean, dry cloth |
Posters are for indoor use only. Paper is not made to handle rain, standing moisture or outdoor sun, so keep it inside, and behind glass in rooms with steam or splashes.
Stretched matte canvas, 1.25 in
The stretched canvas is printed on a canvas fabric and pulled tight around a solid wooden frame that sits behind it. There is no outer frame and no glass. It arrives ready to hang and sits on the wall like a painting, 1.25 inches deep, which gives it real presence from the side.
The canvas
The canvas is a cotton and polyester composite. Cotton gives it the soft, natural feel of an artist's canvas; polyester keeps it strong and stable so it stays tight on the frame and resists sagging over time. The surface is finished with a unique canvas coating, made for the highest quality image reproduction, and it dries to a matte finish with no shine.
Latex inks, UL GREENGUARD Gold certified
Canvases are printed with latex inks. Latex inks are non-hazardous, non-toxic and non-flammable, and they are UL GREENGUARD Gold certified, a standard for low chemical emissions into indoor air that is used for products in schools and healthcare settings. That makes the canvas a sound choice for bedrooms, nurseries and any room you spend a lot of time in. The ink bonds with the coated canvas and gives crisp, saturated color.
The inner frame
Behind the canvas is a stretcher frame made from radiata pine, using wood sourced from FSC-certified renewable forests. Pine is light, so even larger canvases are easy to lift and hang, and it is stable enough to keep the canvas square and tight.
What is on the back
- Hanging hardware is included and already fitted, so the canvas is ready to go on a nail or picture hook the day it arrives.
- Two soft rubber dots sit on the bottom back corners. They keep the canvas steady and in place once it is hung, and stop the bottom edge rubbing against the wall.
Stretched canvas specifications
| Canvas | Cotton and polyester composite with a unique matte coating |
| Depth | 1.25 in (3.2 cm) |
| Inner frame | Radiata pine from FSC-certified renewable forests |
| Inks | Latex, UL GREENGUARD Gold certified, non-hazardous, non-toxic, non-flammable |
| Finish | Matte |
| Hanging | Back hanging hardware included |
| Support | Two soft rubber dots on the bottom back corners |
| Size tolerance | ± 1/8 in (3.2 mm) |
| Care | Wipe dust away gently with a clean, damp cloth |
Framed matte canvas
The framed canvas is the same printed canvas, finished inside a pinewood floating frame. It is the most complete of the three: it arrives framed, with the hanger attached, and looks like a piece from a gallery the moment it goes up.
What a floating frame is
A floating frame, or floater frame, does not press against the front of the artwork the way a picture frame does. The canvas is fixed into the frame from behind, leaving a narrow gap all the way round between the edge of the canvas and the inside of the frame. That shadow line makes the canvas look as though it is floating inside the frame, and because nothing covers the edges, you see all of the artwork.
The canvas and inks
Inside the frame is the same canvas described above: a cotton and polyester composite with a special proprietary coating, printed with non-hazardous, non-toxic, non-flammable latex inks that are UL GREENGUARD Gold certified. The latest printing techniques give bright, crisp color that stays true to the design, from soft neutrals to the boldest palettes.
Sustainably sourced
The frame is pinewood, and the canvas is stretched on a radiata pine profile made from wood from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified renewable forests. FSC certification means the timber comes from forests managed to protect their long-term health, so the frame is an eco-friendly choice as well as a good-looking one.
Ready to hang
A sawtooth hanger is already attached to the center of the top of the frame. Hang it on a single nail or picture hook. The teeth let you nudge it a little left or right to get it perfectly level without moving the nail.
Framed canvas specifications
| Canvas | Cotton and polyester composite with a special proprietary coating |
| Frame | Pinewood floating frame |
| Frame colors | Natural, Espresso, Black, White |
| Wood source | FSC-certified renewable forests |
| Inks | Latex, UL GREENGUARD Gold certified, non-hazardous, non-toxic, non-flammable |
| Finish | Matte |
| Hanging | Sawtooth hanger, already attached |
| Size tolerance | ± 1/8 in (3.2 mm) |
| Care | Wipe dust away gently with a clean, damp cloth |
Sizes for framed canvas refer to the canvas. The frame adds a little to the outside measurement, so allow for it if the piece has to fit a tight space.
Choosing a frame color
Framed canvas comes in four frame colors. The color is picked in the Material menu on each product page, for example Framed Canvas Natural or Framed Canvas Black.
| Frame | Looks like | Works well with |
|---|---|---|
| Natural | Light, warm wood with visible grain | Scandinavian, Japandi, coastal and boho rooms; light oak floors and furniture; earthy and botanical art |
| Espresso | Deep, warm brown | Mid-century, traditional and rustic rooms; walnut and dark wood furniture; vintage and travel posters |
| Black | Clean, matte black | Modern, industrial and monochrome rooms; black and white art; designs with strong contrast |
| White | Crisp, bright white | White and pale walls, minimalist rooms, nurseries; soft pastel and airy designs |
A simple rule if you are torn: match the frame to the wood or metal already in the room, or choose the frame that repeats the darkest or lightest color in the artwork. On a gallery wall, keep every frame the same color so the art, not the frames, does the talking.
Which material should you choose?
Choose the paper poster if
- You already own frames, or want a specific frame, mat or glass of your own.
- You want the smallest sizes or the A sizes, which come on paper only.
- You are building a large gallery wall and want to keep the cost down.
Choose the stretched canvas if
- You want art that is ready to hang the day it arrives, with no framing.
- You like a clean, modern, frameless look, with no glass and no reflections.
- The piece is large. Canvas is light, has no glass to break and is easy to hang alone.
Choose the framed canvas if
- You want the most finished, gallery-style result with no extra work.
- You want the frame to tie the art into the room's wood or metal finishes.
- It is a gift, and you want it to be ready to hang when it is unwrapped.
Sizes by material
Not every size comes in every material. Canvas does not stretch well at the smallest dimensions, so the smallest size and the A sizes are paper only, and the largest landscape size is canvas only.
| Design | Paper poster | Stretched and framed canvas |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | 8 × 12 in to 30 × 40 in, plus A1 to A4 | 12 × 16 in to 30 × 40 in |
| Landscape | 12 × 8 in to 36 × 24 in, 54 × 36 in, plus A1 to A4 | 18 × 12 in to 48 × 32 in |
The size menu on each product page shows exactly what is available for that design. For every measurement in inches and centimeters, and help choosing a size for your wall, see the Size Guide.
Care and handling
When it arrives
- Open the package on a clean, flat surface, and keep blades well away from the artwork.
- Check the print and the box before you throw the packaging away. If anything was damaged in transit, take a photo of both and contact us within 14 days for a free reprint.
- If a poster has a slight curl from transit, lay it face up on a clean surface with a few clean, light books on the corners for a day or two.
Cleaning
| Material | How to clean |
|---|---|
| Paper poster | If the print gathers dust, wipe it off gently with a clean, dry cloth. Never use water on paper. |
| Stretched canvas | If the canvas gathers dust, wipe it off gently with a clean, damp cloth. |
| Framed canvas | If the canvas gathers dust, wipe it off gently with a clean, damp cloth. Dust the frame the same way. |
For all three, avoid household cleaning sprays, solvents and abrasive sponges, and do not rub hard. A soft microfiber cloth is ideal. Damp means lightly moistened and wrung out, never wet.
Where to hang
- All three materials are made for indoor use.
- Avoid hanging directly above radiators, heaters or stoves, or where the art will be splashed.
- Our inks are made to resist fading, but no artwork enjoys hours of strong, direct sun every day. A spot out of the harshest light keeps colors at their best.
- In bathrooms and other steamy rooms, a poster behind glass or a canvas on a well-ventilated wall will last best.
Size tolerance
Because every piece is printed and finished to order, the final size can differ very slightly from the listed size. This is normal in print production and is not a defect.
| Material | Tolerance | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Paper poster | ± 1/16 in (1.6 mm) | Posters are trimmed after printing, and paper can move a fraction with humidity |
| Stretched canvas | ± 1/8 in (3.2 mm) | Canvas is stretched and fastened around a wooden frame |
| Framed canvas | ± 1/8 in (3.2 mm) | The stretched canvas is then fitted into the floating frame |
For a poster going into a ready-made frame, this is far less than the overlap of a standard frame lip, so it will not show.
Questions
Do posters come with a frame?
No. Posters are sold unframed. If you would like your art to arrive framed and ready to hang, choose framed canvas, in natural, espresso, black or white.
Will a poster fit a standard frame from a store?
In most cases, yes. Most of our poster sizes, and all of the A sizes, are standard frame sizes, so a ready-made frame in the same size will fit. Allow for the 1/16 in tolerance described above.
Does the canvas need a frame?
No. The stretched canvas is finished and ready to hang on its own, with hanging hardware already on the back. The framed canvas is for anyone who wants the extra finish a floating frame adds.
Is there glass on the framed canvas?
No. Canvas is not hung behind glass. The matte surface means there is no glare, and a gentle wipe with a damp cloth keeps it clean.
Are the posters glossy?
No. All three materials have a matte finish, so there is no shine or glare from windows or lights.
Will the colors fade?
Posters are printed with pigmented archival inks and canvases with latex inks, both made to hold their color under normal indoor light for a long time. Keeping any artwork out of hours of strong, direct sun will help it last even longer.
Are the materials safe for a nursery or bedroom?
The latex inks used on canvas are non-hazardous, non-toxic, non-flammable and UL GREENGUARD Gold certified for low chemical emissions, which makes canvas a good choice for nurseries and bedrooms. Hang any artwork securely and out of reach of a crib.
Can I hang art outside or in a bathroom?
All three materials are for indoor use only. In a bathroom, keep a poster behind glass and hang any piece away from direct splashes and steam.
What hardware do I need to hang a canvas?
Just one nail or picture hook rated for the weight. The stretched canvas has hanging hardware on the back, and the framed canvas has a sawtooth hanger already attached. For very large pieces, or for hollow walls, use a picture hook or wall anchor rated well above the weight of the art.
What if my print arrives damaged?
Send us a photo of the print and one of the box within 14 days of delivery and we will reprint and resend it free of charge. You do not need to return the damaged piece. See our FAQs or contact us for anything else.
Still unsure which material suits your space? Take a look at the Size Guide to pick a size, or send us a message and we will help you choose.