Canvas, Alu-Dibond or acrylic glass? You can read here which technique is best suited for which photos.
Laminating photos: the right material for every motif
Photos from the last vacation, successful portraits and collages from self-made photos get their big appearance as works of art on the wall. This is made possible by online photo printers that offer their services on the Internet. Here you can simply upload digital photos, decide on a size and a print material and then order them. But which is the ideal material for which motif – what is the difference between canvas, Forex or rigid foam board, aluminum Dibond, acrylic glass and gallery print? We present the techniques and show which lamination is best suited for which motif.
Photo as a poster
Ideal for: all motifs
Special feature: inexpensive
If you want to put your favorite motifs on the wall in a stylish and yet inexpensive way, you can use the poster. The original image is printed directly onto photographic paper. The surface is either matt or satin glossy. Both variants are UV-resistant and available in many formats. Depending on your preference, you can stick the poster directly to the wall with poster strips or frame it individually. In addition, many manufacturers offer online templates for creating collages.
Photo on canvas
Ideal for: classic art prints, painting-like or abstract motifs, coarse-grained photographs
Special feature: noble appearance, underlines the painting character
In the case of lamination on canvas, the image is printed directly onto canvas and stretched onto a wooden stretcher frame. The print technology moves between a 6 to 12 color print. A canvas print is almost waterproof and extremely fade resistant. If you want to be absolutely sure, you can have varnish applied as additional protection. That looks even more authentic. A canvas picture feels soft and textured, similar to a canvas surface. This technique is particularly suitable for classical art, picturesque landscapes and abstract motifs. They impress without reflection and with brilliant colors. The screen can be attached with or without a frame. The border is available in white, gallery wrapped, or mirrored motif on the edge.
Photo on Forex or hard foam board
Ideal for: Walls that only carry a small amount of weight, detailed landscape shots, architectural
photos. Special feature: low weight, also suitable for outside, low entry-level price
With this lamination, the image motif is printed directly onto the rigid foam board. It consists either of pure hard foam or is additionally covered with two plastic plates. This variant is called Forex. Both are about 5 millimeters thick. Both rigid foam and Forex are very light, dimensionally stable and durable. UV light and water do not affect the lamination. So it is also suitable for the outdoor area. The print is matt and has a clear look. The cross section of the edges is white.
Photo on Alu-Dibond
Ideal for: photos with a high proportion of white, blurred views, painting work, horizons and skylines
Special feature: very thin, stable, durable
The Alu-Dibond surface material consists of a plastic core about three millimeters thick, which is placed between two thin aluminum plates. The motif is either printed directly onto one of the aluminum plates or laminated as a photo print. This method is called fine art. A UV film protects the picture from solar radiation. Depending on the type of print and film, the motif is available in matt or satin finish. Lamination on aluminium is very clear and has a high level of white rendering. The sectional view shows the three layers of the carrier material in black and silver. Alu-Dibond is comparatively light, durable and dimensionally stable.
Photo behind acrylic glass
Ideal for: colour-intensive views, large-format landscapes, night shots, underwater images
Special feature: great depth effect, makes colors shine particularly brightly, heavier than aluminum Dibond
When it comes to lamination behind acrylic glass, you can also choose between direct printing or fine art. Both are positioned behind 3-10 mm thick acrylic glass. Since the direct print is slightly translucent, it is often sealed with an additional white print. The transparent acrylic glass makes the motifs look particularly deep and brilliant. However, depending on the incidence of light, there is a mirror effect. A lamination behind acrylic glass is heavier and thicker than Alu-Dibond, Forex or a canvas.
Photo as gallery print
Ideal for: large formats, valuable prints, timeless motifs, colour-intensive motifs
Special feature: professional lamination as in exhibitions or galleries, particularly bright colors, high weight (requires a solid, load-bearing wall)
The gallery print combines the lamination of acrylic glass and aluminum dibond. The image template is printed directly on acrylic glass or laminated as fine art. An aluminum Dibond plate protects the motif on the back. The advantage: large formats are more stable and can be hung up more easily. In addition, no light shines through in this way. The high-quality gallery print is a professional lamination, as commissioned by galleries, artists and museums.