Choose an unframed matte poster for the lowest starting cost, a framed poster for a paper print that arrives framed, and canvas when you want a textured surface without glazing. CanvasGenie offers all four: enhanced matte poster, framed matte poster, gallery-wrapped canvas, and framed canvas. Compare the format first, then use the live size and price tables below to check the exact option.
How do the four wall-art formats compare?
| Format | Surface and finish | Frame and hanging | Available sizes (width × height) | A good fit when |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enhanced matte poster | Matte paper, unframed | No frame or hanging hardware | 8×12 to 24×36 in portrait; 10×10 to 28×28 in square; 12×8 to 36×24 in landscape | You want the lowest starting price or plan to choose your own frame |
| Framed matte poster | Matte paper behind an Acrylite front protector | 0.75 in ayous wood frame and hanging hardware included | 12×18, 20×30, 24×36 in portrait; 10×10 to 18×18 in square; 18×12, 30×20, 36×24 in landscape | You want a paper print ready to hang with a clean border |
| Gallery-wrapped canvas | Printed canvas stretched over solid wood bars | No separate outer frame; mounting brackets included | 8×12 to 40×60 in portrait; 6×6 to 37×37 in square; 12×8 to 60×40 in landscape | You want a larger, textured piece without glass or a separate frame |
| Framed canvas | Canvas inside a 1.25 in pine frame with an open back | Hanging hardware attached; rubber pads on the back corners | 12×18, 20×30, 24×36 in portrait; 12×12 and 16×16 in square; 18×12, 30×20, 36×24 in landscape | You want the canvas look with a visible wood frame |
Sizes are product-specific, and the ranges above show the smallest and largest listed options, not every size in between. See the complete canvas size guide before settling on dimensions. We list measurements width first, so 24×36 is portrait and 36×24 is landscape.
The price tables show catalog estimates. Shipping and tax are separate; checkout shows the final price for the size and finish you choose.
Which one should I pick for my room and budget?
Start with your budget and how finished you want the piece to look. A matte poster keeps the upfront cost down. Framing adds a border, a more finished appearance, and hanging hardware, but raises the price. Canvas costs more than an unframed poster at the starting size, and arrives stretched rather than as a loose sheet.
For a rental apartment, an unframed poster is easy to take down or reframe when you move. If you want it ready to hang, choose framed poster or framed canvas and check what fasteners your lease allows. A stretched canvas also avoids putting glazing between you and the image, which can help in a bright room where reflections bother you.
For a large wall, compare the exact size list before you commit. Gallery-wrapped canvas has the largest listed dimensions in this catalog, up to 60×40 inches. Posters top out at 36×24 inches, while framed formats have fewer size choices. Tape the proposed width and height on the wall to see how it sits with nearby furniture. The canvas size guide has more placement advice, and canvas sizing above a couch walks through a common room decision.
If you already have artwork in a particular shape, check its proportions against the product sizes. A crop that suits a poster may not fit every canvas size. Our guide to AI art aspect ratios for canvas explains how to match square, portrait, and landscape art to a print. For more detail on frame choices, compare framed canvas and gallery wrap or see framed poster sizes for AI art.
How should I hang and care for each print?
Use the included brackets or hardware on framed products and gallery-wrapped canvas. The unframed poster has no hardware, so you will need a frame or a separate hanging method that suits the wall. Keep prints away from direct sun, radiators, damp areas, and places where condensation can collect. The Library of Congress explains that light damage is cumulative and can cause fading or color change; its photograph care guidance also advises keeping prints away from heat, moisture, and unstable conditions.
Dust framed products gently with a soft, dry cloth, taking care around the front protector. Handle an unframed poster by its edges and avoid rubbing the printed area. The Library of Congress recommends clean hands and edge handling for photographs, and cautions that even soft brushes can scratch some image surfaces. These are cautious habits for printed wall art, not a product-specific durability guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
Which print option costs the least?
The unframed enhanced matte poster has the lowest starting catalog estimate among these four formats. Prices vary by size and frame choice, and checkout shows the current total.
Is a poster or canvas better for an apartment?
A poster is light and easy to move, while a canvas arrives stretched and ready to hang. If you rent, choose a hanging method allowed by your lease and wall type.
Which option lasts the longest?
There is no verified lifespan comparison for these products. Keep any print out of direct sunlight and away from damp or hot spots; light exposure can fade printed images over time.
Does a framed poster have glass?
CanvasGenie's framed poster uses an Acrylite front protector, while gallery-wrapped and framed canvas have no glazing over the image.