Blog Choosing the Right Canvas Options: Giclée Gloss vs. Metallic Gloss, Edges & F...

Choosing the Right Canvas Options: Giclée Gloss vs. Metallic Gloss, Edges & Float Frames

Painting of a lush, green landscape hangs on a light blue wall, surrounded by tropical plants, with sunlight streaming through a window.


1) Canvas Finishes: Giclée vs. Metallic
At Artbeat Studios , both of our canvas styles feature a semi-gloss finish —but they deliver very different looks.

A cityscape featuring a vibrant sunset over snowy mountains, with a blend of pink, purple, and orange hues creating a serene mood.


Giclée Canvas
A classic, fine-art aesthetic with a smooth, glossy topcoat.

  • Look & feel:  Natural tonality, accurate skin tones, refined detail.
  • Best for:  Portraits, weddings, landscapes with subtle gradients, painterly art.
  • Why choose it:  Archival giclée reproduction with a polished sheen that adds depth without over-intensifying highlights.
A beach scene showing boats on the sand with waves coming in.


Metallic Canvas
A modern, high-impact surface with a luminous “pop.”

  • Look & feel:  Pearlescent highlights, deeper blacks, heightened contrast and color.
  • Best for:  Night cityscapes, seascapes, cars, abstracts, saturated color work.
  • Why choose it:  Eye-catching dimensionality under gallery or directional lighting.

Lighting tip:  Metallic thrives under controlled, directed light. For bright rooms with wide windows, giclée gloss typically preserves detail more gracefully.
2) Edge Options: Mirrored Edge vs. Border Color
We offer two professional edge styles to complete your gallery wrap:           
                

Colorful bird with blue head and green wings on canvas, surrounded by lush green leaves. The image is vibrant and nature-themed.


  • Mirrored Edge  The outer perimeter of your image is reflected onto the sides, preserving the full composition on the front.
    • Use when: You don’t want to lose any subject matter to the wrap.
    • Pro tip: Keep key subjects at least 1” inside the visible front area to avoid visual tension at the edge transition.
Colorful bird on a canvas print, featuring a vibrant blue, green, and yellow plumage, against a leafy green background.


  • Border Color Edge  A solid-color side (white, black, or custom color) for a crisp, contemporary profile.

    • Use when: You want a clean border, your image has tight cropping, or you prefer a graphic look.
    • Pro tip: Match the dominant tones in the artwork or echo wall/trim colors for a designer finish.

3) Canvas Depth: 0.75″ and 1.5″ Wraps
The canvas wrap depth  determines your print’s profile and presence on the wall.

Canvas art with vibrant bird in green, yellow, and blue perched on a branch. Background is leafy. Text:


  • 0.75″ Slim Edge:  Available for canvas sizes 8×8″ to 12×18″ . Perfect for smaller prints or when you plan to frame your canvas. Offers a lighter, subtle appearance.     
Canvas print of a colorful bird on a leafy branch. The image features vibrant green and yellow plumage. Text:


  • 1.5″ Gallery Depth:  Standard for all larger sizes. Creates a bold, dimensional profile ideal for standalone wall displays.

Guideline:  Keep important details (like faces or signatures) at least 1″ inside the visible front area to ensure they don’t wrap onto the sides.
3) Frame Options: Float Black & Float White
Elevate your canvas with a museum-style float presentation.

  • Styles:   Float Black  and Float White
  • Frame Size:   0.375″ × 1.5″  (profile)
  • Mount:   Wire hanger  (standard)
  • Note:   Cleat hangers are not available for framed prints.

Why float frames?  The frame surrounds the canvas with a small gap (the “reveal”), creating the illusion that the canvas is floating —a sleek, modern look that adds depth without covering the image. Our float frames are perfectly sized for our 1.5″ gallery-depth canvases .
https://www.artbeatstudios.com/products/frames
4) Quick Selector: Finish • Edge • Frame





Goal





Finish





Edge





Frame





Timeless fine-art look





Giclée Gloss





Mirrored Edge





Float White





Bold, modern statement





Metallic Gloss





Border Color (Black or Custom)





Float Black





Subtle presentation for small prints





Giclée Gloss





Border Color





Optional





Vivid contrast under lighting





Metallic Gloss





Mirrored Edge





Float Black

 
5) FAQ

  • Q: Do both canvas types have a gloss finish?  A: Yes. Both Giclée  and Metallic  canvases feature a gloss coating for enhanced depth and color.
  • Q: What edge styles are available?  A: Choose between Mirrored Edge  or Border Color  (white, black, or custom).
  • Q: What canvas depths do you offer?  A: We offer 0.75″ wraps  for sizes 8×8″ to 12×18″ , and 1.5″ gallery wraps  for larger prints.
  • Q: What framing options do you provide?  A: Float Black  and Float White  frames (0.375″ × 1.5″), mounted with wire hangers only  — cleat hangers are not available for framed prints.
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