Canvas vs. Fine Art Paper Prints – Your Guide
Which print is right for you?
All prints are reproductions of original paintings by Gail Cuthbert, produced by specialist fine-art printers. This guide explains the key differences between the two formats so you can choose with confidence.
Canvas Prints
Canvas prints are produced by printing the artwork directly onto a premium canvas material, which is then stretched and wrapped around a solid wooden frame (known as a gallery wrap or stretcher bar). The image continues around the edges, so no additional framing is needed.
- Ready to hang: Yes — each canvas arrives with hanging hardware attached. Simply fix a hook or picture rail fitting to your wall and it is ready to display.
- Framing required: No. Canvas prints are a complete, finished product. Framed canvas prints are also available if, like the artist, you prefer this look.
- Finished depth: The stretcher bars add depth (typically 2–4 cm), giving the piece a sculptural, gallery feel on the wall.
- Artwork vs. finished dimensions: The finished (outside) size you order is the full canvas size including the wrapped edges. The visible face of the image may be very slightly smaller because a portion of the image wraps around the sides.
- Best for: Bold, statement pieces; spaces where a frameless, contemporary look suits the décor; humid rooms where paper may be less suitable.
Fine Art Paper Prints
Fine art paper prints are printed onto museum-quality matte paper — a thick, acid-free fine-art stock — producing rich, detailed colour rendition. Unlike canvas, paper prints are supplied unframed and flat.
- Ready to hang: Not without framing. You will need to add a frame (and optionally a mount/mat) before hanging.
- Framing required: Yes. Choose a frame that fits the print size you order, with or without a mount/mat border. Standard frame sizes are widely available from framing shops and online retailers.
- Artwork vs. finished dimensions: The print size you order is the size of the paper. The visible image fills most of the paper; your framer may trim a small border or allow a small white edge, depending on the frame style you choose. The framed finished size will be larger than the paper by the width of your chosen frame.
- Best for: Collectors who prefer traditional framed artwork; spaces where the frame is part of the design; those who want fine detail and a classic gallery-wall aesthetic.
Browse Fine Art Paper Prints →
How to Choose the Right Size for Your Wall
- Measure your wall space. Use a tape measure and note the width and height of the area you want to fill. Mark the space lightly with painter's tape to visualise it before ordering.
- Consider the furniture below. Artwork hung above a sofa or bed typically looks best when it spans roughly two-thirds of the furniture's width.
- Allow breathing room. Leave at least 15–20 cm of wall visible around the artwork so it does not feel crowded.
- Single statement versus gallery wall. One large canvas creates impact; a group of smaller prints can fill the same space with more variety. Mix sizes for an organic, collected feel.
- Account for framing (paper prints). If you are framing a paper print, remember to add the frame width to your calculations — a 50 × 70 cm print in a 4 cm frame becomes approximately 58 × 78 cm on the wall.
Quick Comparison
| Canvas Print | Fine Art Paper Print | |
|---|---|---|
| Ready to hang | ✓ Yes | Framing required |
| Framing required | No | Yes |
| Finish | Canvas texture | Smooth matte paper |
| Depth on wall | Yes (stretcher bars) | Depends on frame |
| Price guide | See collection | See collection |
Still have questions?
We are happy to help you choose. Browse the collections below or get in touch through the contact page.