Before you get to the article: if you are looking for information about photo development, in this mega guide you will find all the additional information you need.
A photograph that does not leave a hard drive ends up dying. So clear, so cruel. Is that the ending you want for your photographs? Having your own gallery on the web or posting on different social networks is very good to make yourself known or to share your work, however, if what you want is for your photographs to live forever, especially the most special ones, the ones that pride have awakened you, those that have an effort behind (which has been worth it), those that you cannot stop looking at (because of the place, the reason, the moment…), all of these cannot die on a hard drive or evaporate In the net. It would be a terrible catastrophe.
Fans of digital photography often suffer from this evil, shoot, shoot, accumulate, accumulate and then print little. That is why today I am here to give you some ideas, yes beyond the album, the photo book or the typical mugs, t-shirts or puzzles. Today I am going to talk to you about different surfaces so that you can print your photos in a big way, so that everyone can see them and, by the way, some small format options that seem very original to me and that I like a lot. You stay? If you don’t, you might regret it in a few years 😉 And it’s not blackmail, right? It’s the real truth ;P
Surfaces to print your images
- Poster
- Poster on board
- Canvas
- in aluminum
- methacrylate
- forex
- Vinyls
- magnets
- custom boxes
Now let’s look at these options one by one.
1. Poster
An economical option for large formats. You can print your square, panoramic or rectangular photos on a poster. It is not valid for exteriors but it is a good alternative for example for youth or children’s rooms, offices and also for framing later. In addition, this option is the most respectful with the colors and finishes of your image. The finish can be gloss or matte and prices vary depending on the format and size, here are some options:
- in Hoffman from eight euros the smallest size (20×50 cm). They offer 16 different sizes (up to 76 x 114 cm) and in three formats, rectangular, panoramic and square. Gloss and matte.
- on snappybook from 3.25 euros the smaller size 30×30 cm. In gloss, matte and metallic paper. Also in square, panoramic and rectangular and the largest size (70×100 cm).
- in photo box You can order a poster (from 6.95 euros for the 30×30 and 28×35 cm size), and a collage poster, from 9.95. Panoramic, square or rectangular. The largest size is 74 × 114 cm, for 29.95 euros.
In this table of megapixels and print sizes you can check if the chosen image has enough resolution for a large size
2. Poster on board
In this case, the poster is delivered on a wooden board ready to be hung. In this way the care is easier and the product more resistant (childproof, for example 😉 ).
- in photo box: from 14.95 euros for the rectangular size 20×30 cm. The thickness is 2mm. Also in square and panoramic, although in these formats they only offer two sizes.
- In Decogallery: with a thickness of 10mm. From 36 euros for the 40×30 size and with more sizes available for the square and panoramic formats. They offer different types of support that you can buy separately.
3. Canvas
A more elegant format that you can hang on any wall in your home (indoors, of course 😉), it is a classic among decorative options, it will most likely sound familiar to you, but we cannot forget it for that 😉
- Hoffman: It offers a Luxury edition (3.8 cm width of the frame) and Classic (1.8 cm), in all three formats, although the panoramic only in size 30 × 60 cm. From 27 euros (20×30 Classic).
- photo box: This house offers you the possibility of a simple canvas from 15.95 euros in size 20×20 cm or a collage canvas from 17.95 (20×20 cm). They also have Classic (1.8 cm) and Deluxe (3.7 cm) editions.
4. In aluminum
If you are looking for a modern, impactful and original design to print your most spectacular photos, this is your most interesting option. It is also suitable for outdoors. Highly recommended for black and white images.
- snappybook: It is their Dibond model, a print on a 2mm aluminum plate that is mounted on a 4 cm thick wooden frame. It is a material that is easy to clean (a damp cloth is enough) and resistant to heat. From 36.30 euros the smallest size (37×50 cm) and they can print up to 150×200 cm.
- Decogallery: They print on a 3 mm thick aluminum sheet and apply a transparent sheet to protect from moisture and light. From 41 euros the size (40×30 euros). The largest size they offer is 150×100 cm.
On this material the images are colorful and bright. What most differentiates it from the rest is the depth it gives to the photographs, as it achieves an almost three-dimensional effect. Ideal for light and white walls and suitable for exteriors (terraces, gardens…).
- Hoffman: 6mm thick, glossy and ready to hang. From 39 euros (20×30 cm).
- snappybook: thickness of 5 mm, it is delivered with spacers that separate it from the wall by 2 cm. From 48 euros (50×70) and they offer different types of printing.
6. Forex
Forex is a semi-rigid plastic (foamed PVC). It is an economical option, resistant, easy to clean; valid both for interiors and exteriors, as it is resistant to water.
- Snappybok: 5 mm thick forex, with or without frame. From 29.70 euros (37×50 cm).
- Hoffman: 10mm thick, available in matt and gloss. from 32 euros (20×30 cm).
7. Vinyls
They are adhesives that you can paste on different surfaces, from furniture to glass, floors or walls. It is a very interesting option to decorate with your own images. I have seen it on walls, cabinets, kitchen cabinets or even on small furniture or to personalize the laptop. Here you can see or order to decorate IKEA furnitureWho doesn’t have one?! 😉 Prices vary depending on the type of vinyl and size, some places where you can order them are:
And if you prefer stickers in a small size, don’t miss out on the round ones from MOO!!
8. Magnets
I really like this option for printing photos, it’s a way to have your fridge (or any other metal surface) decorated with photos without making it seem like the most chaotic place in the house 😉 You can also move them whenever you want or change the combination and the images will last much longer than if you hang them on photographic paper.
- cheers: You can choose between 9 square magnets for 12 euros (3 euros of shipping costs). The size is 6.25×6.25 cm with a thickness of 0.5 mm and they are delivered in a nice box (it is ideal for a gift). They also have the retro option, slightly larger than the others (6.8×8.2 cm) and allow a note to be written below. 12 magnets for 20 euros (euro shipping costs).
- Imangram: the options here are much more varied, round, square, oval…; with sheet or flexible. From 13.99 euros.
9. Custom boxes
Personalized boxes seem like a fantastic choice when it comes to giving a gift. By the way, if what you are looking for are gifts for a photographer, here are many more ideas.
- snappybook: from 0.3 euros a copy. The boxes have very nice and careful designs. You can choose the square (10×10 cm) or retro (9×10.9 cm) design. They are printed on coated cardstock, printed on one side and in gloss.
- cheers: This House Turns Your Pictures Into Polaroid Snapshots and send them to you in a little box. 18 photos for 20 euros plus 3 shipping costs, with a size of (8.4 x 7 cm), the image would be 6.4 x 6.4 cm. You can also choose the Cheerz Box option, printed on photographic paper. From 16 euros (plus 4 for shipping) you can include between 30 and 45 photos (10 x 8.5 cm) in a box personalized by you and allows you to add a dedication. And if these options fall short, you have the Big Fat Box (from 32 euros plus 5 shipping costs) where you can choose between 75 and 200 photos in square cut (10 × 10 cm) or classic cut (8 × 10 cm), with the latter option to add text and select background color .
Which option do you like best to print your photos?
What option did you like the most to print your photos? You will not say that there are not different and interesting ones!
I have indicated some houses that make this type of impressions, if you search the net you will find many more. Personally I have bought in Hofmann, Snappybook and Photobox and with all three I have done very well, I have no complaints, quite the opposite! And you, have you tried others? Which do you recommend us?