What Paper Type to Choose?
What is the Difference in the Print Quality Between the Adhesive-Backed Fabric, Poster Paper and Fine Art Paper Prints?
In short, Fine Art 100% cotton rag paper (museum quality) is best for fine art prints and archival purposes due to its texture, color quality, and durability. The Poster Paper we use is premium art poster paper (a double weight 200 gsm) which is also great for sharp giclée prints, but not as durable. In contrast, the adhesive-backed fabric is best suited for versatile, more temporary applications with a fabric-like finish, that can be easily repositioned.
Fine Art Paper (100% Cotton Rag): The fine art paper is usually preferred for custom name prints and capital letters, intended to be framed. It has a natural, fibrous texture with a matte finish, and gives prints a more traditional, fine art look. The ink absorbs well into the fibers, leading to rich, vibrant colors with a slight softness due to the texture. It is durable, archival quality, meaning it resists fading and deterioration over time.
Premium Poster Paper: Our Poster Paper is resin-coated, not 100% cotton, making it more affordable, but less archival. It has a smooth matte finish at 200 gsm, lighter and more flexible than our 100% cotton paper. It has decent ink absorption, though less vibrant and saturated than the fine art paper. It's cooler, bright white surface enhances contrast. Poster Paper is a good choice for affordable giclée prints with a bright, sharp look.
Adhesive-Backed Fabric:
The adhesive-backed fabric has a fabric-like texture that is smoother than cotton rag paper, but still more tactile than traditional photo paper. The finish has a semi-matte quality. The fabric surface allows for good color saturation, but may not achieve the same depth and vibrancy as cotton rag paper. The colors can appear slightly muted or softer, and fine details might be less sharp due to the fabric texture.
The adhesive-backed fabric is usually preferred for our larger word prints and prints that are intended to be placed directly on walls in bedrooms, playrooms, schools, and offices where kids can get close and even touch (gently) the artworks. Adhesive-backed fabric is designed for easy application and repositioning on various surfaces, where durability and ease of use are prioritized over archival quality.
To Frame or Not To Frame?
Your prints on fine art paper should be framed to protect and maintain the artwork. Poster paper prints can be framed to protect the art, or hung directly on the wall, treated like a poster. The adhesive-backed fabric prints, need not be framed. They are designed to be applied directly to the wall, door or other relatively smooth, dry surface. The adhesive-backed fabric prints can also be relocated, as a child grows, from above the crib or changing table, to the wall near the bed or playroom area, where your growing child can get a closer look. They can also be relocated when you move or your child changes rooms; just save the paper backing for re-use.