Austin Bloom Medium Guide

Choosing between cotton rag fine art paper and satin canvas is more than a technical decision—it’s about how you want your artwork to feel, display, and endure in your space. Here’s a clear, elegant breakdown to assist your choice.

Cotton Rag Fine Art Paper

What it is:
Crafted from 100% cotton fibers, cotton rag paper is acid-free and archival. It boasts a luxurious, textured matte finish—full of character and depth.Artful PrintersOutdoor Photo

Why you’ll love it:

• Exquisite detail & sharpness: The smooth surface lends itself to fine detail—ideal for highly intricate images or delicate tones.MintSuper ArtBy Kerwin -

• Archival quality: Cotton rag is notably durable and long-lasting—often rated for 100+ years without fading or yellowing.Outdoor Photo

• Rich texture & tactile elegance: The textured surface gives a museum-quality feel, adding depth and authenticity.PisnakOutdoor Photo

• Versatile framing: Perfect for traditional framing with mat and glass or perspex.Sivertson Gallerygurrngul art

Think of choosing this if you want:

• Crisp detail, high resolution, and a refined matte finish.

• A piece that frames beautifully behind protective glazing.

• A tactile, classic presentation that pairs well with traditional décor.

Satin Canvas

What it is:
Satin canvas is typically a cotton (or cotton-poly) blend that’s coated with a satin finish—delivering a soft sheen and smooth texture reminiscent of fine paintings.Juniper Print ShopThe Stackhouse PrinteryWikipedia

Why it stands out:

• Ready-to-hang convenience: The canvas arrives stretched around a wooden frame—no extra framing needed.Sivertson GalleryWikipedia

• Durable & low-glare: Canvas is robust, less prone to reflection, and handles light well—great for bright display spaces.customcanvasonline.com.auMintSuper Art

• Textured expression: The material’s surface adds depth and a painterly presence—especially striking for bold or abstract pieces.The Stackhouse PrinteryMintSuper Art

Best for when you want:

• A gallery-style look without the fuss of frames.

• A piece that feels tactile, contemporary, and ready to hang.

• Low-maintenance art that holds up beautifully over time.

Quick Comparison

When to Choose Which?

• Pick paper if you prefer a visual that’s highly detailed, elegantly textured, and suited for conventional framing.

• Opt for satin canvas when you want a ready-to-display piece with an artistic, gallery-style presence that's durable and low-maintenance.

• Unsure? Consider your décor style, how you'd like to display your print, and whether subtle texture or sleek readiness matters most.

Austin Bloom Framing Guide

Choosing how to present your artwork is just as important as choosing the piece itself. A frame not only protects your print but also shapes how it lives within your space. Here, we’ll walk you through your options with clarity and care.

Unframed Prints

Why choose unframed?

• Flexibility: An unframed print gives you freedom. You can frame it locally, choose a custom style, or simply pin or tape it to a wall for a relaxed look.

• Practicality for overseas orders: Framed artworks are bulkier and heavier to ship. Sending a print alone means lower shipping costs and fewer import taxes, especially if you live outside Australia. For example, sending an unframed A2 print to the US typically costs a fraction of sending the same print framed.

• Affordability upfront: You can spread out your investment—purchase the artwork now, frame it later.

Unframed is often the most practical choice for international collectors. Many choose to frame with a local framer in their own country, saving hundreds on shipping and duties.

Framed Prints

When you choose a framed print from Austin Bloom, you receive a piece ready to hang, crafted with care to last.

Frame Options:

• Natural Wood: Typically Australian hardwoods such as flooded gum. Each frame carries subtle grain and warmth.

• Black Frame: A refined option that suits contemporary spaces and helps colours stand out.

Mediums & Finish:

• Cotton Rag Paper: Framed traditionally, with a mat board and display-grade perspex instead of glass. Perspex offers:

  • Less reflection, especially helpful for darker artworks.

  • Safer shipping (no risk of broken glass).

• Satin Canvas: Stretched onto a wooden frame (known as a “box frame”), giving a clean, gallery-style finish.

Why choose framed?

• Convenience: Arrives ready to hang—no need to source a framer.

• Craftsmanship: Professionally assembled to museum standards in Australia.

• Longevity: Materials chosen to protect the artwork over decades.

Please note: Framing is available for sizes larger than A4. Smaller prints are shipped unframed only.

Cost Considerations

Framed artworks are heavier and larger, which means higher shipping fees and import taxes.

As a rough guide:

• Sending an unframed A2 print to the US might cost around $40–60 AUD.

• Sending the same size framed could cost $200–300 AUD, plus import duties on arrival.

For customers in Australia, framed prints are often the simplest choice. For international customers, unframed may be more cost-effective.

Final Thoughts

Whether you choose unframed for flexibility and lower costs, or framed for a ready-to-hang solution, the integrity of the artwork remains the same: timeless, original, and made to endure.

If you’re unsure, we often recommend unframed for overseas orders and framed for Australian deliveries. Either way, your Austin Bloom piece will carry the same story, craftsmanship, and beauty into your home.