In a small photography gallery with which I am associated, metal prints outsell canvas and traditional framed combined. The images involved are primarily landscapes, both grand scale and more intimate. Colors are richer and more vibrant, clarity is superior to other print mediums. Numerous labs nationwide offer metal prints; increasingly, many of those labs are affiliated under umbrella ownership. Earlier this month, there was a significant increase in prices of metal prints at every lab our gallery uses regularly, both the affiliates and one independent, family-owned lab. Metal has almost always cost somrwhat more than canvas, but now the cost gap has widened further.

Large metal prints are actually less expensive than traditional paper prints since attractively framing a 20x40” paper print can cost several hundred dollars. Same for canvas, btw. My best sellers are usually metal prints, but be aware that the image itself needs to be excellent in order to shine on metal. Flaws are accentuated so use your best work only. Also - I find that for prints smaller than say 16x20, I don’t bother with metal. Metal prints look best to me in large sizes. Bigger “wow” factor,

During 2021, I purchased 68 metal prints and sold 60 of them. Sizes ranged from 16x24 (two) to 40x60 (three). The most frequently sold size was 24x36. I used three labs for these prints: 90%+ came from Black River Imaging, the remainder from Bay or White House Custom Color. WHCC is an independent, family-owned lab in Minneapolis.
DRM, what finish do you use on your metal prints? Thank you
BRI and Bay are owned by the same group, their prices, features, and quality are identical. BRI has one significant advantage, which increases in importance as size of the print increases: they do not charge shipping (if the order meets a modest minimum), whereas Bay does. If you're a happy Bay customer you should try BRI--get Bay quality, save the shipping charge. (By the way, WHCC doesn't charge shipping either.)