Why Consider a Local Sign Shop Instead of Staples for Acrylic or Canvas Prints?

If you’re printing photos or artwork for your home or office, you may be considering large chains like Staples. They can be convenient, but there are a few practical reasons many people choose a specialized sign and print shop instead.

Below are some things to think about when comparing options.

More Control Over the Final Result

Large retail chains typically offer standardized products with limited customization. When working with a sign company, the process is more collaborative.

Because our work is custom, clients can be involved in decisions about materials, finishes, and mounting styles. This helps ensure the finished piece matches the space where it will be displayed. Custom work also allows adjustments to layout, colour, and presentation before production.

If you want to explore available products such as acrylic prints, canvas prints, and mounted displays, you can view them in our online shop.

Materials Designed for Display

Specialized print products often use materials designed for long-term display.

For example, our acrylic prints use optically clear acrylic applied to the front of the image, creating a bright, high-gloss finish that enhances colour and detail. The image is printed directly to the back of the acrylic and mounted so it appears to “float” slightly off the wall.

Similarly, canvas prints are stretched over wood bars and finished so they’re ready to hang. Options include different depths for the frame and wrap styles where the image continues around the sides of the canvas.

These types of presentation details are often limited or unavailable through standard print kiosks.

If you’re looking for ready-to-order options, you can browse available products here.

Photo Mounting and Flushmount Options

Another difference is access to specialty mounting products.

Our Plak-IT flushmount and plakmount prints mount your image onto a custom-cut wood base and laminate it with a transparent, non-glare finish. This protects the image while giving it a clean, gallery-style appearance suitable for display in homes or offices.

These mounting options are designed specifically for displaying photographs and artwork, rather than simple paper prints.

Help Choosing the Right Format

When you’re printing a meaningful photo, artwork, or professional image, choosing the right format can make a big difference.

Working with a sign and print shop allows you to get guidance on:

• Which material works best for your image
• Whether acrylic or canvas will highlight the details better
• The right size for the space where it will hang
• Image resolution requirements for high-quality printing

This kind of guidance can be useful when deciding how to display personal photos, artwork, or promotional images.

A Simpler Way to Get Display-Ready Prints

While Staples can be convenient for quick document printing, projects like canvas prints, acrylic prints, and flushmount displays often benefit from a more specialized approach.

If you want prints designed specifically for display rather than basic printing, you can browse available products and options in our shop.

If you have a specific photo or project in mind, we can also help recommend the right print style based on the image and where it will be displayed.