Turning a photo into wall art is an easy decision. Which material to print it on is the harder one — canvas, metal and acrylic each change how the final piece looks and feels, and the "best" choice depends more on where it's hanging and what look you're going for than on any material being objectively superior.
Canvas
Canvas is the classic choice for a reason: it has texture, it reads as "art" rather than "photo," and it suits almost any room style, from a nursery to a formal living room. It's a forgiving choice if you're not sure what else is going on the wall around it, since the matte, slightly textured finish sits quietly rather than competing for attention.
Best for: family portraits, pet photos, and any piece meant to read as a warm, personal keepsake rather than a statement piece.
Metal
Metal prints have a glossy, high-contrast finish that makes colours pop and gives photos a modern, almost backlit look. They suit bold, high-contrast images — a sharp landscape, a graphic portrait, strong colours — better than soft, muted photos, which can look slightly harsh on a reflective metal surface.
Best for: modern or minimalist interiors, bold colour photography, and spaces where you want the piece to feel like a design statement rather than a family photo on the wall.
Acrylic glass
Acrylic sits between the two: it has real depth and a glass-like shine without the full reflectivity of metal, and it tends to make photos look crisp and slightly luminous. It's a good middle ground if you like the vibrancy of metal but want something that still feels a little softer and more like traditional framed art.
Best for: photography-forward pieces — travel photos, portraits with strong detail — where you want vibrancy without a fully industrial, glossy look.
A quick way to decide
- Want it to feel warm, textured and "framed"? Canvas.
- Want bold colour and a modern, gallery-like finish? Metal.
- Want crisp detail and a bit of shine without full gloss? Acrylic.
If in doubt, canvas is the safest default — it suits the widest range of rooms and photo styles, and it's the easiest to picture correctly before you order.
How it's made
Like ToyGenie's other personalised products, custom wall art is produced to order from the photo you upload, so allow around 7–10 business days for production before dispatch, on top of standard delivery time within Australia. Because each piece is made from your own photo, it can't be returned for change of mind once production has started — double-check the photo and size before confirming your order.
Frequently asked questions
Which material lasts longest?
All three are designed for long-term indoor display. Metal and acrylic are more resistant to humidity than canvas, which makes them a slightly better fit for a bathroom or kitchen; canvas is the more traditional choice for living areas and bedrooms.
Can I see a preview before it's printed?
Photo quality and framing make the biggest difference to the result — use a clear, well-lit, high-resolution photo for the best outcome.
What if the print arrives damaged?
ToyGenie will arrange a replacement, reprint or refund at no cost for anything that arrives damaged, faulty, or different from what you ordered.
Browse the full range in Genie Wall Decor, or read more about the process on the How It Works page.