Choosing Between Fine Art and Photographic Prints at Media Storehouse
Having trouble deciding between fine art and photo prints? This decision hinges on factors like intended use, personal taste, and financial constraints. We aim to help you work out what’s best for you by exploring the differences, benefits, and characteristics of each type.
Distinguishing Fine Art from Photographic Prints
When it comes to quality, fine art prints are typically superior. These reproductions are created using sophisticated printing techniques and premium materials, ensuring longevity and accurate representation of the original artwork. Photographic prints, while more affordable, also produce excellent quality, making them a popular option for regular use.
What is a Fine Art Print?
Giclée is another term for fine art printing, describing exceptionally good prints. This printing process, used by numerous museums and art galleries worldwide, complements the artwork with its unique properties. The opulent feel of the paper used in fine art printing enhances the entire enjoyment of the picture or artwork. Fine art printing is a specialised process producing high-quality, archival-grade reproductions of original artwork. These prints are produced on wide-format ink jet printers using the finest pigment-based inks, unlike the dye-based inks used for photo prints. The remarkably vibrant hues produced by this technique are the closest to the original artworks.
Quality, Longevity and Unique Appearance
The endurance and quality of fine art prints make them stand out. These prints are meant to last for decades, retaining their vivid colours and crisp details thanks to the use of pigment-based inks and archival-quality materials. The way the ink lies on the textured paper gives fine art prints their unique appearance. For individuals who value the finer details in their prints, this charm adds depth and richness to the artwork.
What is a Photo Print?
A photographic print is an original artwork, including photographs, digitally printed from an electronic file. This process involves generating prints on top-tier printers using cutting-edge software to optimise quality. Photo prints are digitally rendered on archival-grade paper, ensuring bold and lifelike colours that enhance the images. The Lustre finish, which is a combination of matt and gloss gives you a flexible choice for framed and unframed prints as it works well in a variety of settings and lighting circumstances.
Versatility and Affordability
Media Storehouse photographic prints are produced using advanced digital printing technology, ensuring that each print captures the essence of the original image with clarity and precision. For individuals looking for reasonably priced, high-quality prints, Media Storehouse's photographic prints provide a useful and adaptable option. The luster finish is a popular option for both personal and commercial use because it offers a balanced appearance that works well with a variety of framing solutions.
Choosing between Fine Art and Photographic Prints at Media Storehouse
When choosing between fine art and photographic prints at Media Storehouse, consider your needs and budget. Fine art prints offer exceptional quality and are perfect for those seeking the highest fidelity reproduction of their favourite artworks, available in various sizes and panoramic orientations for flexible display options. If quality is your top priority and you're willing to invest in a museum-caliber print, fine art prints provide superior detail, colour accuracy, and durability, justifying their higher cost. However, if you're looking for high-quality prints at a lower cost, photographic prints are an excellent choice due to their affordability and adaptability, offering great value for anyone seeking beautiful images without exceeding their budget.
Conclusion
Media Storehouse offers both fine art prints and photographic prints, each with special benefits. Photography prints are a useful and cost-effective option for daily use, while fine art prints are ideal for art enthusiasts and collectors who appreciate quality and longevity. Choose the best option for your prints by taking your budget and unique requirements into account.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Are Media Storehouse Fine Art Prints Framed?
We do not offer framed versions of the prints at this time. However, we recommend exploring custom framing services from local art shops or online retailers, which can provide a wide variety of frame styles to suit your preferences. This way, you can choose a frame that perfectly complements both your décor and the artwork.
What is the main difference between fine art prints and photographic prints?
The main difference lies in the materials and printing process used. Fine art prints use pigment-based inks on high-quality archival paper, while photographic prints use dye-based inks on photo paper.
Which type of print lasts longer?
Fine art prints typically have a much longer lifespan, often lasting over 100 years without fading or yellowing when properly cared for. Photographic prints tend to have a shorter lifespan.
Are fine art prints more expensive than photographic prints?
Yes, fine art prints are more expensive due to the higher quality materials and more specialised printing process used.
Which type of print is better for displaying prints, and can you tell the difference visually between the two types of prints?
Both fine art prints and photographic prints can work well, but they offer different visual characteristics. Fine art prints feature a textured, matte appearance that enhances colour accuracy and detail, making them ideal for collectors. In contrast, photographic prints are available in several finishes (luster, gloss and matte) that provides vibrant colours while minimizing glare, appealing to those who prefer a smoother look. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your aesthetic preferences and how you intend to showcase the artwork.