You have found the print you love. Now the product page asks one more question: poster, canvas or wooden framed? All three show the same artwork, but they look different on the wall, suit different rooms and cost very different amounts. This guide walks through what you actually get with each format, when each one makes sense, and how to decide in under a minute.
The short answer
- Choose a wooden framed print if you want a finished, gallery-style look the day it arrives, or the art is going somewhere it might get bumped or splashed.
- Choose canvas for a soft, frameless look on a large wall, especially above a sofa or bed, where you want texture rather than glass.
- Choose an unframed poster if you already own frames, want to fill a gallery wall on a budget, or like to swap art with the seasons.
What you actually get with each format
Poster (no frame)
Posters are printed to order on 200 gsm premium matte paper: smooth, non-reflective and FSC-certified or equivalent. Matte paper is the reason colors look calm rather than glossy under room lights. A poster is the most affordable way to buy a design, and it arrives ready to drop into a standard frame because every size is a standard US frame size (8×10 to 24×36 in).
Canvas
Canvas prints use a cotton-polyester blend (300–350 gsm) stretched over FSC-certified wooden bars, with a hanging kit included. There is no glass, so you see the print with a subtle woven texture and zero reflections, which makes canvas a favorite for painterly landscapes and abstract pieces. Canvas is lighter than a framed print of the same size and feels relaxed rather than formal.
Wooden framed print
Framed prints come in solid pine frames in black, white, natural wood or dark brown, about 20–25 mm deep and 10–14 mm wide, with shatterproof plexiglass on the front and a hanging kit included. The print inside is a 170 gsm semi-gloss paper, which keeps colors crisp behind the glazing. This is the option to choose when you want art that looks finished and protected without a trip to a framing shop.
Side-by-side comparison
| Poster | Canvas | Wooden framed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | 200 gsm matte paper | 300–350 gsm cotton-poly canvas on wood bars | 170 gsm semi-gloss paper, pine frame, plexiglass |
| Look | Flat, matte, needs a frame or tape | Textured, frameless, no reflections | Clean edges, gallery feel |
| Ready to hang | No | Yes, kit included | Yes, kit included |
| Best for | Gallery walls, rentals, seasonal swaps | Big statement walls, living rooms, bedrooms | Hallways, kitchens, kids’ rooms, gifts |
| Starting price (8×10) | $12.99 | $32.99 | $62.99 |
Prices by size
Every design on our site comes in five sizes. The table below shows standard print prices for each format, so you can compare like for like before you choose.
| Size | Poster (no frame) | Canvas | Wooden framed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8×10 8 × 10 in | $12.99 | $32.99 | $62.99 |
| 11×14 11 × 14 in | $17.99 | $47.99 | $82.99 |
| 16×20 16 × 20 in | $22.99 | $62.99 | $102.99 |
| 18×24 18 × 24 in | $29.99 | $82.99 | $152.99 |
| 24×36 24 × 36 in | $37.99 | $132.99 | $192.99 |
Standard print prices. Personalized and custom designs can differ; the exact price is always shown on the product page.
Which format suits which room?
Living room: canvas is hard to beat for one large piece above a sofa. A 24×36 in canvas reads as intentional from across the room, and the lack of glass means no glare from windows. For proportions, see how to choose the right wall art size above a sofa, or browse living room wall art.
Bedroom: either works. Canvas feels softer and quieter; a natural-wood frame adds warmth to a neutral scheme.
Kitchen and bathroom: framed prints are the practical choice. The plexiglass front protects the paper from splashes and is easy to wipe.
Hallways and kids’ rooms: framed prints again, because they stand up better to bumps, and the shatterproof front is safer than real glass.
Gallery walls: posters let you buy six or eight pieces for the price of one large framed print, then frame them in a mix of styles you already own.
Framed or canvas for these popular designs
Landscapes and florals are the designs people most often hesitate over, because they look good in every format. Here is how we would order a few popular designs.
Pink Lilies Vintage Floral Botanical Art Print
From $12.99
Delicate pink lilies with fine botanical detail; a white or natural wood frame keeps the lines crisp.
View this print
Blue Ridge Parkway Watercolor Wall Art Print
From $12.99
A watercolor road through layered blue hills. Choose canvas in 18×24 or 24×36 for a calm living room focal point.
View this print
Blue and Copper Tree Ring Cross Section Abstract Nature Art Print
From $12.99
Colorful tree rings with a graphic, modern feel. A black frame sharpens the contrast in a minimalist room.
View this printHow to decide in 60 seconds
- Is it bigger than 18×24? Lean canvas. Large glazing is heavy and reflective; canvas stays light and glare-free.
- Is it going near water, food or small hands? Choose framed, for the wipeable plexiglass front.
- Is the artwork detailed or text-based? Framed or poster. Canvas texture can soften fine lines and small type.
- Are you buying several pieces? Posters keep the budget sensible, and orders of two or more prints get an automatic multi-item discount at checkout: 10% off two items, 15% off three and 20% off four or more.
- Is it a gift? Framed or canvas. Both arrive ready to hang, so the recipient does not need to buy anything else.
Frequently asked questions
Is canvas better quality than a framed print?
Neither is better; they are different. Canvas gives a textured, frameless finish and no reflections. A framed print gives sharper detail behind shatterproof plexiglass and a finished edge. Choose by room and style rather than quality.
Do framed prints and canvases come ready to hang?
Yes. Both wooden framed prints and canvases include a hanging kit. Unframed posters need a frame, clips or poster hangers.
Are canvas and framed prints the same size as posters?
Yes. All three formats come in the same five sizes, from 8×10 to 24×36 in, so a design looks the same size on the wall whichever format you pick.
How long does a framed print or canvas take to arrive?
Every piece is printed to order within 2–4 business days. Standard US shipping is $4.99 and takes about 5–10 business days after dispatch.
Still undecided? Start with the room, not the format. Pick the size that fits the wall first, then let the room’s practical needs (glare, moisture, traffic) choose between canvas and frame. You can browse every design in nature and landscape art or botanical and floral prints and switch formats on any product page.
