Art Print vs Canvas Print — What's the Difference? | Austin Bloom
You have found an art print you love. Now you need to choose a format — and the options usually come down to two: a print on paper (sometimes called a fine art print, giclée print, or cotton rag print) or a print on canvas. They are both "prints," but they look different, feel different, hang differently and age differently. Here is a straightforward comparison to help you decide.
WHAT IS A COTTON RAG ART PRINT?
Museum-grade paper, gallery-quality finish
A cotton rag print — also called a fine art print or giclée print — is produced on museum-grade paper made from 100% cotton fibres. The paper is acid-free, pH-neutral, and designed to hold archival inks without degradation for 75+ years. It is the same material used by galleries and museums worldwide for fine art reproduction and original print editions.
At Austin Bloom, our cotton rag prints are produced on 310gsm paper with a smooth, matte finish. The surface delivers exceptional colour accuracy and tonal range, reproducing subtle gradients and fine detail with precision.
Cotton rag prints need to be framed for hanging, which adds cost but also gives you control over the final presentation — frame style, mat width and glass type all become part of the piece.
WHAT IS A CANVAS PRINT?
Textured, warm, ready to hang
A canvas print is produced on woven fabric — similar to what traditional oil painters use — then stretched over a wooden frame. The result is a textured, ready-to-hang piece with a warm, tactile quality that looks and feels like a painting.
Austin Bloom's canvas prints use a premium satin-finish canvas with archival pigment inks. The visible weave adds a linen-like texture to the image, and the satin finish avoids the cheap shine of glossy canvas. Canvas arrives stretched and ready to hang — no framing required.
SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON
Surface and texture
Cotton rag is smooth and matte with a subtle paper grain. Canvas has a visible woven texture with a satin sheen. Cotton rag emphasises detail and sharpness; canvas emphasises warmth and painterly quality.
Framing
Cotton rag prints require custom framing — glass or acrylic is recommended to protect the surface. Canvas prints come stretched and ready to hang with no additional framing needed. If you want artwork on the wall with minimal effort, canvas is simpler. If you enjoy choosing frames and want more control over the final look, cotton rag gives you that flexibility.
Look and feel
Cotton rag prints look like fine art photographs or gallery prints — clean, precise, contemporary. Canvas prints look like paintings — textured, warm, traditional. Neither is better; they suit different aesthetics and different rooms.
Colour accuracy
Cotton rag delivers the highest colour fidelity and tonal range. Canvas is excellent — marginally warmer in tone due to the surface texture.
Humidity resistance
Canvas handles humidity better than paper, making it suitable for kitchens and bathrooms. Cotton rag prints need glass protection and should avoid moisture.
Durability and longevity
Both Austin Bloom substrates use archival pigment inks rated at 75+ years. Cotton rag paper is acid-free and archival. Canvas is inherently durable. With reasonable care — avoid direct sunlight and high humidity — both will last for decades.
Price
The print itself is typically priced similarly for both substrates. However, cotton rag prints require framing, which adds $150–$400+ depending on size and frame choice. Canvas prints need no additional framing expense.
WHEN TO CHOOSE COTTON RAG
You want gallery-quality presentation. Framed cotton rag prints have a refined, collected quality. They look like pieces you would find in a gallery — because they are made with the same materials.
Colour accuracy is your priority. Cotton rag reproduces colour with the highest fidelity. For prints with subtle tonal gradients or very fine detail, cotton rag holds a slight edge.
You enjoy the framing process. Custom framing lets you choose the frame, mount and glass that match your interior exactly. A well-framed cotton rag print becomes a curated piece.
You are building a collection. If you are collecting limited edition prints with an eye to long-term value, cotton rag is the traditional choice for serious art collectors.
WHEN TO CHOOSE CANVAS
You want something ready to hang. Canvas prints arrive stretched and finished. No framing appointment, no additional cost, no waiting. Unbox, hang, done.
You like texture. The canvas weave adds a tactile, handmade quality to the image. If you are drawn to the look of oil painting or linen wall art, canvas delivers that feel.
The print is going in a kitchen or bathroom. Canvas handles humidity better than paper. For rooms with moisture, it is the more practical choice.
You want large format without the framing cost. Framing a large cotton rag print (80cm+) can cost $150–$400+. Large canvas prints are ready to hang at no additional cost. See our large wall art collection.
WHAT ABOUT GICLÉE PRINTS?
"Giclée" is a printing method, not a material. It refers to high-resolution inkjet printing using archival inks — and it is the method used for both our cotton rag and canvas prints. If someone offers you a "giclée print," the important question is what it is printed on, not the printing method itself.
WHAT ABOUT POSTERS?
A poster is printed on thin, lightweight paper using standard inks — the kind you might find at a big-box retailer. Posters are inexpensive, but they fade quickly, crease easily, and generally do not represent the artwork accurately. Fine art prints on cotton rag or canvas use archival materials and pigment inks that hold their colour for decades. If you are investing in art for your home — art you want to live with for years — the difference in quality, longevity and visual impact is significant.
AUSTIN BLOOM'S TWO FORMATS
Every Austin Bloom print is available on both cotton rag and canvas. Same image, same archival inks, same limited edition. The only difference is the substrate and how it looks on your wall.
Not sure which to choose? Use our Blankwall AR tool to preview prints on your actual wall — you can switch between canvas and cotton rag to see how each looks in your space.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Which lasts longer — cotton rag or canvas?
Both Austin Bloom substrates use archival pigment inks rated at 75+ years. With proper care — avoiding direct sunlight and extreme humidity — both cotton rag and canvas prints will maintain their colour and detail for decades.
Is a canvas print considered fine art?
It depends on the quality. Mass-produced canvas prints from budget retailers are generally not considered fine art. Austin Bloom canvas prints use archival-grade materials and are produced as limited editions — placing them firmly in the fine art category.
Do cotton rag prints need glass framing?
Framing with glass or acrylic protects cotton rag prints from dust and physical damage. Museum glass (UV-filtering, anti-reflective) offers the best protection while maintaining colour accuracy. Standard glass works too, but may produce glare. For darker prints, non-reflective Ultra Vue is recommended.
Can I feel and see both materials before ordering?
If you are based in Adelaide, Estée offers free in-home consultations with A5 samples in both cotton rag and satin canvas. Email us to arrange a visit.
