How lucky for me that I get to introduce another new product! Over the last couple months we have been researching and adding to our digital art library. With many customers preferring to shop at home, the option of printing art at home has become wildly popular.
Sometimes I have a hard time committing to a piece of art for the wall. I mean, I have to look at it every day so I need it to be perfect! For this reason, I have fallen in love with digital art. I can purchase a piece and try it out with a much smaller financial commitment than purchasing retail or from a studio. And if it’s not the right piece for a particular wall, I’ll still have the download for another time or another place.
Many of the photographs we offer are originals- we created the pieces but we release the rights to you the buyer. When you purchase a photo from Elements, you will receive a file containing different sizes and ratios. Choose the size you like, download and print! We also offer gallery walls, which takes the guesswork out of filling a larger space. It really couldn’t be easier! See our selection here.
Let’s talk through the specifics of digital art- printing, frames etc.
First, Printing: Obviously printing at home is the most convenient. Using photo paper makes a huge difference. The colors are correct and it’s an overall better finish. Here at the shop, we’ve been printing on this photo paper. If you don’t have the capability to print at home or prefer a professional print job, there are several options out there. Locally you have the option to print at Walgreens, Wal-Mart, CVS and other similar national locations. They have convenient online services available so after a quick download, choose your sizing preference and finishes, and pick up at your local branch. If you prefer to use a local professional printer, start by searching online using terms like “professional photo printer in (your city).” There are fewer print shops than there used to be but you should be able to find something close to you. Online there are oodles of options! Some of the best reviewed online printers are Mpix, Printique, Snapfish and Vistaprint. They offer a variety of products including canvases, at a variety of prices and shipping options.
Second, Frames: Selecting a frame is a key part to displaying art. A simple frame allows the art to stand out on it’s own. The focus is the art or photograph while the frame finishes the piece by giving it boundaries. Some good basic frames we like to use can be found here. An ornate frame lends even more design to the piece. We are seeing fancy frames trending all over the place and we are here for it! Smaller decorative frames with a simple landscape are popping up in magazines and used by designers everywhere. These frames can be purchased online or at local retailers but we love sourcing them from estate sales.
Third, Mats: When displaying photographs, use mats or don’t- it’s up to you! When displaying a single photo, we prefer to use a mat. However we like to give our gallery walls a little variation when it comes to mats and frames. We are seeing mat trends all over the board. Large mats and frames with a smaller photo, narrow mats- really anything goes. It’s your personal preference and you can’t do it wrong. When buying a mat, look for acid free mats with a beveled edge. These mats work well for us.
Fourth, Display: When most people think about displaying photographs or artwork, they think about putting them on the wall. And walls are a great place for art! But don’t forget about your shelves and countertops too. Displaying art of these surfaces incorporates design into unexpected places. We are even seeing a lot of art in the kitchen! We are taking inspiration from @ann_marie_co. So so pretty! Don’t shy away from adding pieces to a new location in your home decor.
