When we are fortunate enough to speak with our customers face-to-face, one of the most common questions they tend to ask is, "What's the difference between the Luster (also called Glossy) and the Matte Canvas?"

What would look best for my canvas print? Luster or matte canvas?

Aside from being able to see the difference - obviously, one has a glossier finish than the other - many customers are not sure which "is better".  But the truth is,  neither is better than the other. It's simply a matter of these three things:

Subject Matter: Images and photographs with a large amount of small details, and a wide range of colors often look better on a matte canvas than a luster. Because of the slight reflective property and surface sheen on  canvases coated with a luster finish, fine details (especially in darker images) can get lost entirely. Whereas images or photos containing large areas of solid colors, portraits, and almost anything without an excess of fine details comes out beautifully on gloss canvas.

Environement: Lighting and decor play a large role on determining whether to choose a luster or matte finish for your canvas. For example, direct light on a gloss canvas print will make it difficult to view properly because of its reflective properties. The fact that canvas is a textured surface increases this problem. In addition, keep in mind the theme of the area the canvas is to be hung. If your decor is sleek and modern, it's likely you will prefer a glossier finish over the rustic and natural-looking matte finish.