Why a Large Canvas Print Costs More
Large canvas prints cost more because of construction and shipping. A canvas has to be built, and a big one is bulky to ship. That is why the price can jump on the larger sizes, and it is why canvas is not always the middle option it appears to be.
Spring flowers line the California hillside overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. From here, I snap this stunning photograph of the Golden Gate Bridge, perfect for any wall in a home or a office.
Additional Information:
Please allow 5-10 days for printing and shipping.
I have the ability to print custom sizes and material (like wood, gatorboard, etc.). If this interests you, please reach out to dj@dalton-johnson.com for a free quote with the size and material you desire.
For most sizes, the usual order holds. Paper with a frame is usually the cheapest. Metal is usually the most expensive. Canvas sits in between. That is the general rule, and for a small or medium print it holds up well.
As you go bigger, the order can change. On the larger sizes, canvas is usually more expensive than people expect. A lot of that comes from shipping. A canvas has to be created and sent in a way that protects it, and a large one takes up more room and costs more to move than a flat sheet of paper.
What does this mean for your budget? If you are buying a small or medium print, canvas is often a nice in between option. If you are buying a large print, compare all three materials before you decide. Paper with a frame may end up being the better deal on a large wall, and metal may look closer in price than you expected.
There is also the question of whether canvas is right for this photograph at all. My Golden Gate Bridge print is vibrant, with yellow wildflowers, a blue sky, and a red bridge. Canvas absorbs light, which can make those colors look a little duller than they do on paper or metal, and it fades over time in direct sunlight. So if you are paying extra for a large canvas, make sure you love the look and that your wall stays out of the sun.
Canvas does have real advantages. It has almost no glare, so it works in a bright room where metal would bounce light around. And some people simply prefer the soft, textured look of a canvas on the wall.
If you are working with a budget, here is how I would think about it. A mid sized paper print in a good frame is the safest way to get a finished look for less. A metal print is the premium choice if you want the most durable option and the strongest colors. Canvas is in between until you go big, and then it is worth checking the price against both.
The print comes in 8x10, 8x12, 11x14, 12x18, 16x24, 20x30, and 24x36. The largest sizes are where the gap in canvas pricing shows up most. If your wall is bigger than the standard sizes, I can quote a custom size, and materials like wood and gatorboard are possible.
I live in South Lake Tahoe, and I have never hung this particular print at home, so I am not going to tell you what I have on my own wall. What I can tell you is how the materials compare, and that large canvas is where the price is easiest to underestimate.
A practical note on hanging. A large canvas is lighter than a framed, glazed print of the same size, but it is still awkward to handle, so plan on a second pair of hands and a proper anchor if the wall is drywall. Measure twice, mark the wall, and decide where it goes before you order, since a piece this size is easier to plan for than to reposition.
It ships in about 5 to 10 days.
Go check out all the prints by Dalton Johnson.
About the Author
Dalton Johnson is a photographer, writer, and filmmaker who tells stories about real people pushing themselves in the outdoors, from the High Sierra to the far reaches of every continent. He has shot and written for brands, tourism boards, and editorial outlets, including Nike, Patagonia, Four Seasons, PBS, GoPro, and Ford, with more than 160 campaigns and hundreds of published articles to his name. Off assignment, he bikepacks, trail runs, swims open water, chases big waves, and rock climbs.
