Also referred to as photo mount or acrylic face, acrylic prints are prints that are created via two different processes. The acrylic print can be created by either printing on a piece of paper and consequently face mounting it on to the acrylic, OR by printing directly on to the acrylic material.
Acrylic prints typically bring a lustrous, contemporary and vibrant appearance that make them a crowd favorite particularly among individuals who have a liking for modern décor. The prints are usually extremely durable and can last for a long time in comparison to prints created from some of the other materials.
How To Create Acrylic Prints
Most people cannot easily create their own prints. For those faint of heart, I would recommend evaluating some Top Acrylic Print Companies (via our extended and comprehensive guide).
Furthermore, if you want to get your hands on some prints right away, you can head over to our #1 top pick, Pictorem!
If, however, you’d like to learn more about doing it manually, read on!
As previously mentioned, acrylic prints can be created using one of two methods which we expound below.
The face mount method: this was the initial method that was used to create acrylic prints and it is quite truly a labor of love given how laborious the task was.
The process which is done by hand involved a clear adhesive being applied onto the print’s face and consequently adhering the print on plexiglass. After which backing materials such as Sinatra and Dibond are adhered to the back of the printmaking, it rigid and protecting it from damage. The face mounting method, albeit being exhausting, is still the preferred method as it delivers solid quality prints whose quality and vibrancy are unmatched. Face-mounted acrylic prints are customizable to a user’s thickness preference, and users can choose from the different 1”, 1/2? 1/4? and 1/8” acrylic thicknesses.
The direct printing method: as the name suggests, this method involves printing directly onto the substrate (acrylic) rather than printing on a photo paper first. The printing is done using machines that print the image in reverse so that when it is mounted on the wall, it appears in its correct format. Most companies that do direct acrylic printing typically use Acuity Advance UV digital flatbeds. The flatbeds then apply layers white and CYMK ink to the material to create the image which is not only sharp but also well saturated.
Why You Should Opt for Acrylic Prints
Even though one has to part with a couple of hundred dollars, acrylic prints provide style and beauty, unlike prints created using other materials. This is because the prints usually possess a light-capturing ability than enhances the hues in the print and make them appear glossy.
Similarly, prints created using acrylic are extremely durable, and they can withstand a lot of the hard knocks sent their way to make them well worth the cost. The inherent properties of the material shield it from UV rays and moisture amongst other things that may cause the quality of the print to deteriorate with time.
Aside from the financial implication that acrylic prints have, the only other downside of acrylic prints is that the, are not easily portable as they weight quite a bit and usually require strong mounts for one to move them.