Poster Prints vs Canvas Prints

Reading Time: 5 minutes read

Let’s just assume that you took this photo. You were on vacation and were so moved by the scenery you pulled over to the side of the road to capture it. Every time you look at that photo you’re almost transported back to that place. It brings a smile to your face.    

Quick Links

• What is the difference between a poster and a canvas?
• What is a poster print?
• What is a canvas print?
• Canvas vs poster: pros & cons
• Pros and cons of canvas photo prints
• Pros and cons of poster photo prints
• Create your own canvas prints

Well what if you had a place in your home or office like this that could use a visual element to complete the room? Transforming your favorite photo into beautiful wall art is easier than ever with the help of photo project apps like Motif. 

With Motif you can print your image onto gallery-quality stretched canvas. Other services let you print that image on paper. Choosing either canvas or paper to print your images on will certainly be easier after reading this blog post.     

What is the difference between a poster and a canvas?

The difference between canvas print vs poster print is found primarily with the medium it’s printed on. They’re both ways to transform digital files into physical printed pieces. Not everyone is able to create art with a brush and paint, but almost everyone is able to raise their camera and snap a photo. We can all print those artistic creations on canvas or paper.  

What is a poster print?

Poster prints were first used for public announcements and advertising. To this day you will find poster prints nearly everywhere. They’re primarily created by printing images and messages on paper. 

What is a canvas print?

Canvas has been used as a print medium since the early 14th century. It’s a fabric that is commonly stretched over a wooden frame to create a surface to print or paint on. They’re typically white and are where the phrase “blank canvas” comes from.  

Canvas vs poster: pros & cons

If you’re wondering if you should choose canvas vs print, here’s a few pros and cons to help make the decision a bit easier.  

Pros and cons of canvas photo prints

Printing your digital image on canvas creates a much more durable piece in the long run. The fabric used in canvas prints has greater flexibility, it’s thicker, and is less susceptible to tears than paper prints. Canvas also maintains its shape better over time resisting warps and wrinkles. Canvas prints also create the sense of being a work of art given its historical beginnings.  

Its organic, tactile appeal lets artworks breathe giving it striking warmth and immediacy. The fabric also presents most works with a matte finish so glare is reduced and colors maintain their original richness. 

Canvas prints do tend to cost more if price is a factor. Since canvas prints are already wrapped and stretched on a wooden frame, framing options are limited. 

Pros and cons of poster photo prints

Printing digital images on paper does often come at a smaller price tag than that of canvas. And, as mentioned previously, you have the option of framing to your liking. However, framing can erase any cost savings over canvas printing. Speed is also a benefit as most printers print on paper to varying quality results. 

Paper poster prints do tend to rip and crease easier than a canvas would. If there’s higher than normal humidity in your area, warping and wrinkling can happen with art prints vs canvas prints. Color intensity can suffer on paper prints. Its thinner surface can limit the ink saturation. 

Create your own canvas prints

Creating either version in this day and age is really simple. Printing your photo favorites onto gallery-quality stretched canvas begins with Motif. The app works seamlessly with your Apple Photos so there’s no photo uploading necessary. There’s a variety of sizes and finishes to choose from. On your Mac, open Photos and select the images you’d like to create your photo canvas with. In the File menu select Create then Wall Art, then Motif. On your iPhone/iPad, open the Motif app and then simply select the Gallery Printed Canvas photo product. 

Bring your best photos to life with Motif.

Experience how easy creating personalized photo projects is with Motif. Our photo project app seamlessly works with Apple Photos in macOS and iOS. We do all the complicated stuff leaving the fun creative freedom to you.