Modern photo display techniques are no longer reserved only for artists. At ArtisanHD, our passion is to bring modern photo mounting to everyone with unparalleled quality and customer service. This time of year, one of the best elements to your photos is the POP of bright colors. Why not take advantage of professional printing and show off your summer photos with acrylic prints?

Direct to Acrylic Print

Acrylic Prints: How do we do it?

You may be wondering, how do we print on acrylic, and what’s the difference between acrylic and plexiglass?  Acrylic is a hard, clear plastic commonly known by the brand names “Plexiglass,” “Lucite,” or “Perspex.”  Sort of like how people refer to tissues as kleenex, a popular brand of tissues. But don’t worry, your pros at Artisan know what you mean whether you ask for plexi or acrylic. To us, it’s one and the same!

There are basically two processes that can be used for acrylic prints. The first is a direct print on the material with UV cured ink. This is a pretty straightforward process that prints directly onto the surface of the material, leaving a small 2″ clear border. The stand-off hardware (1″ posts) are included in the cost. The second process (not currently on sale)  involves printing on photographic paper which is then face mounted to the acrylic. Once the image is printed on the HD photographic paper, 1/8- 1/4″ thick acrylic is adhered to the front of the paper. This is what is referred to as a face mount or a second surface mount.

The face mount process is a bit more time consuming and expensive, but the stunning results are well worth the money and effort. Face mount acrylic prints makes deliver amazing details and enhances their depth. This process also takes advantage of the reflective quality of the acrylic, which boasts archival UV protection, while beams of light reflected within the surfaces. This creates a very cool and creative effect; almost a 3-D like in some prints. A museum mount is recommended to attach the acrylic frame to the wall, giving it visual depth and a sleek gallery look on your walls.

Since these two distinct processes make the acrylic prints look a bit different and the hanging options vary, the process you choose will ultimately depend on your photo and style. The images below were created by one of our clients, (c) Emily M. Randolph. Be sure to visit her site, here!

Why Acrylic Prints for Summer Photos?

Your photos gain extra depth and radiance when paired with our precision cut acrylic, so your images will stand out and get noticed.  Acrylic is also a clean, modern way of mounting your work and showcasing your images. And remember, because no light passes through an acrylic print, deep, rich colors really maintain their vibrancy. Acrylic exhibits glass-like qualities – clarity, brilliance, transparency, translucence – at half the weight with up to 10 times the impact resistance. Other benefits of this unique medium are its scratch resistance, anti-fogging, glare reduction and solar reflectivity.

When choosing the face mount process for your acrylic prints, you can also choose from a selection of HD photographic paper. Since the second surface mounting allows for a full bleed, meaning no acrylic border, the paper will cover the entire surface. ImageTech Photo Gloss, Canon Matte, and Austin Jet silver paper are recommended for the best acrylic print results. A glossy paper will add more depth to the print, while metallic paper will add to the 3-D effect and enhance color brilliance. But the metallic paper also makes black and white photography look absolutely stunning, emphasizing contrast.

Whether you choose direct plexiglass art printing or second surface mounted acrylic prints, the look will be a stunning choice. With ArtisanHD it’s never been easier to transform your digital photos into stunning, gallery quality art using unique materials like acrylic (plexiglass).  If you have a question, call us! We’re here to help!

Pro Tip: Want to know how to mount your masterpiece, click here!