ANDYV.CO PRINT GUIDE

What Should
You Get?

Different print materials and finishing options work better for different types of images, rooms, and display styles. This guide is designed to help you choose the material and finish that makes the most sense for your photo, artwork, or project.

Matte Archival Paper

Best For A Soft, Fine-Art Look

Matte archival paper gives images a smooth, low-reflection appearance. It works especially well when you want the image itself to be the focus without a glossy surface reflecting nearby lights.

  • Fine-art photography
  • Black-and-white images
  • Landscape photography
  • Artwork and illustrations
  • Rooms with strong lighting
  • Framed prints
A strong choice if you want a traditional gallery-style paper print.
Satin Paper

Best For Color And Detail

Satin paper has a smoother finish with more surface sheen than matte paper. It can give colors and contrast a slightly richer appearance while still being less reflective than a highly glossy print.

  • Color photography
  • Portraits
  • Travel photography
  • Wildlife photography
  • Images with strong color
  • Detailed photographic work
Choose satin when you want a photographic appearance with a little more depth and surface shine.
Matte Canvas

Best For A Natural Canvas Look

Matte canvas gives photographs and artwork a textured, traditional presentation. Because the surface is matte, it works well in areas where reflections could otherwise distract from the image.

  • Landscape photography
  • Nature photography
  • Paintings and artwork
  • Large wall displays
  • Home décor
  • Low-glare presentations
Matte canvas is a strong all-around choice when you want the print to feel more like a finished wall piece than a traditional photograph.
Artistic Satin Canvas

Best For More Vibrant Canvas Prints

Artistic satin canvas gives you the texture and dimensional feel of canvas while adding a smoother surface and more visible sheen than a fully matte canvas.

  • Colorful landscapes
  • Sunsets
  • Travel photography
  • Color-heavy artwork
  • Statement wall pieces
  • Images where extra visual depth is wanted
A good option when you like canvas but want colors and contrast to feel a little more pronounced.
Quick Material Guide

Which Material Fits Your Image?

Matte Paper Soft, low-glare, fine-art appearance.
Satin Paper More photographic with richer-looking color and detail.
Matte Canvas Textured, understated, and ideal for larger wall pieces.
Satin Canvas Canvas texture with a smoother and more vibrant-looking finish.
Rolled Prints

Best If You Want To Finish It Yourself

Rolled prints give you the printed material without mounting, stretching, or framing. This gives you more flexibility if you plan to use your own framer or finish the piece yourself.

  • Custom framing projects
  • Artists and photographers
  • Customers with their own frames
  • Large prints that will be finished later
Mounted Prints

Best For A Flat, Rigid Presentation

Mounted prints are attached to a rigid backing so the image stays flat and supported.

  • Displays
  • Presentations
  • Temporary gallery setups
  • Clean frameless looks
  • Projects needing a rigid print
Stretched Canvas

Best For Ready-To-Hang Canvas

Stretched canvas is wrapped around a wooden stretcher frame, giving the print depth and allowing it to be displayed without an outside frame.

  • Living rooms
  • Bedrooms
  • Large wall art
  • Landscape photography
  • Artwork and paintings
  • Modern frameless displays
Framed Prints

Best For A Finished Gallery Look

Framing gives a print a more complete and formal presentation and helps separate the image visually from the wall around it.

  • Galleries
  • Photography displays
  • Offices
  • Professional presentations
  • Finished home décor
  • Gift-ready prints
Black Frames

Why Black Frames Work With So Many Images

Black frames are one of the most versatile framing choices because they are visually neutral. Instead of competing with the image, a black frame creates a defined border around the print and can work with both bright and dark photographs.

Neutral Works with a wide range of colors and decorating styles.
Gallery Friendly Gives different images a consistent presentation.
Modern Clean black edges work well in contemporary rooms and offices.
Image Focused The neutral frame helps keep attention on the artwork.
For gallery walls or groups of different photographs, using the same black frame style throughout can make the entire collection feel more consistent.
Galleries & Professional Displays

What Works Best For Galleries?

For a gallery or professional photography display, framed paper prints are one of the most traditional choices. A matte paper print inside a simple black frame can create a clean presentation with less surface glare, while satin paper can be useful when stronger color and photographic detail are a priority.

Canvas can also work well in galleries, especially for larger statement pieces. Stretched canvas creates a frameless presentation, while adding an outer frame can give the piece a more finished appearance.

Home Display

What Works Best Around The Home?

Living Room Larger stretched canvas or framed statement photographs.
Bedroom Matte canvas or matte paper for a softer appearance.
Office Black-framed paper prints for a clean professional presentation.
Gallery Wall Consistent black frames help multiple images feel unified.
Print Size

Think About Viewing Distance

Small prints work well when viewers will be close to the image, such as desk displays, shelves, or grouped gallery walls. Larger prints work better when they need to be viewed from across a room or used as the main visual focus on a wall.

A larger wall does not always require the largest print available. Leaving space around the artwork can make the display feel cleaner.
Quick Comparison

At A Glance

Option Appearance Good For Consider If
Matte Paper Soft and low-glare Fine art, black-and-white, galleries You want a traditional paper presentation
Satin Paper Smooth with light sheen Color photography, portraits, detailed images You want more visual depth than matte
Matte Canvas Textured and low-glare Landscapes, artwork, large wall prints You want a softer canvas appearance
Satin Canvas Textured with more sheen Colorful images and statement pieces You want canvas with stronger-looking color
Rolled Unfinished print Custom framing and DIY finishing You already know how you want to finish it
Mounted Flat and rigid Displays and frameless presentations You need support without traditional framing
Stretched Dimensional canvas Ready-to-hang wall art You want canvas without an outside frame
Framed Finished and formal Galleries, offices, home décor You want a complete ready-to-display piece
Still Unsure?

A Simple Way To Choose

If you want a classic photography print, start with paper. If you want something that feels more like wall art, start with canvas. Choose matte when reducing reflections is important, and choose satin when you want a little more sheen and visual depth.

For a complete finished presentation, choose framed. For canvas that is ready to hang without an outer frame, choose stretched. If you already have your own frame or finishing plan, rolled is usually the most flexible option.

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