Short answer: the right print material comes down to the look you want and the room’s light. Canvas suits warm, classic spaces. Acrylic and aluminum give a glossy, modern finish that makes colour stand out. A framed ArtFrame is the easy ready-to-hang option. Poster is the budget choice, and wallpaper turns a whole wall into the artwork. Match the finish to your light and you are most of the way there.
What print materials can you choose from?
Hive Arts Studio pieces are printed to order through Art Heroes, and most are offered on a range of materials. Each one changes the feel of the same image, so it is worth a moment’s thought before you order.
- Acrylic: a glossy, glass-like surface with real depth and strong colour.
- Aluminum (metal): a sleek, hard-wearing panel with a light sheen.
- Canvas: a textured, matte surface with a warm, classic feel.
- ArtFrame: a framed print that arrives finished and ready to hang.
- Poster: a light, low-cost print you can frame yourself.
- Wallpaper: a large-scale print that covers a whole wall.
Canvas vs metal vs acrylic vs ArtFrame: how they compare
The quick version, by look and by room.
| Material | Look and finish | Best for | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic | Glossy, glass-like, deep colour | Bold, colourful pieces in modern rooms | Can catch reflections in very bright light |
| Aluminum (metal) | Sleek, light sheen, durable | High-contrast and sci-fi work; kitchens and bathrooms | Cooler, less cosy feel |
| Canvas | Textured, matte, warm | Living rooms and bedrooms; classic settings | Softer on very fine detail |
| ArtFrame | Framed print, finished gallery look | A ready-to-hang piece anywhere | Heavier than a bare print |
| Poster | Matte, light, low cost | Offices, gallery walls, rented spaces | Needs its own frame for a finished look |
| Wallpaper | Large-scale, covers a whole wall | A single feature wall or backdrop | A bigger job to put up |
The exact materials and sizes available vary by piece. Each product page lists what is offered for that artwork on Art Heroes.
Which material suits your room?
In a living room, canvas keeps a big statement piece warm, while acrylic or aluminum give a colourful work like Retro Futuristic City a glossy, modern lift. In a bedroom, a matte canvas or poster avoids glare from bedside lamps. In a home office, matte surfaces cut reflections from screens and windows, so canvas or poster work well behind a desk.
For dark, high-contrast pieces like Obsidian Inferno, acrylic and aluminum hold the deep blacks and make them read sharper. Browse the Abstract and Sci-Fi collections to see pieces that take a glossy finish well.
Print materials: FAQ
What is the best material for wall art?
There is no single best. Canvas gives a warm, classic feel, acrylic and aluminum give a glossy modern finish with strong colour, and a framed ArtFrame is the easiest ready-to-hang option. Choose by the look you want and the room’s light.
Acrylic or aluminum for a modern look?
Both read modern. Acrylic has a glass-like depth that suits bold colour, while aluminum is a sleeker, hard-wearing panel that handles humidity, so it works in a kitchen or bathroom. Both can catch light, so watch your reflections.
Which material is best for a bright room?
Matte surfaces like canvas or poster, since they do not throw back glare from windows and lamps. If you prefer the depth of acrylic or aluminum in a bright room, angle the piece away from direct light.
Do I need a frame?
Only if you choose a poster, which arrives unframed. An ArtFrame comes framed and ready to hang, and acrylic, aluminum, canvas, and wallpaper are designed to mount without a separate frame.
Pick your piece, then your finish
Find an original you like, then choose the material on its product page.