Best Displate Alternative: Print Your Own Photos on Metal
Looking for a Displate alternative? Discover personalized metal prints featuring YOUR photos, not pre-made designs. European craftsmanship, decades durability.
8 min read
Guides & Tips
Metal Print Size Guide: Perfect Sizes for Every Room
Find the ideal metal print size for your space. Complete guide with room-by-room recommendations, wall measurements, viewing distances, and visual examples.
9 min read
Personalised metal prints are transforming how British homes display their most meaningful photographs. Whether it's a wedding portrait above the fireplace, a landscape from the Lake District in the hallway, or a pet photo on a bedside table, metal brings your images to life in ways that paper and canvas simply cannot.
This guide covers everything UK buyers need to know: what makes a great metal print, which companies deliver to the UK, sizing for British homes, and how to get the best results from your photos.
Metal prints differ from canvas, paper, and acrylic in several important ways:
Colour vibrancy. With our printing process, the image is permanently bonded into the metal coating. Colours appear richer and more luminous than any paper print. The metal surface adds depth and a quality of light that photographs particularly well.
Durability. A quality metal print lasts decades under normal indoor conditions. It's waterproof — clean with a damp cloth without worry. No glass to break, no paper to tear, no canvas to sag.
Modern aesthetic. Metal prints have a clean, contemporary look that suits modern British interiors. The ultra-thin profile means prints appear to float on the wall, creating a gallery-quality display in your own home.
Low maintenance. No framing needed. No glass to clean. No yellowing over time. Wipe with a damp cloth if needed — that's it.
British homes have their own character. Period properties, terraced houses, and modern flats each present different wall spaces. Here's a practical guide:
Daniel co-founded Bolot Studio and builds everything you see on the site — the configurator, order system, and the entire tech stack. With 6+ years in e-commerce, his goal is to get you from idea to print in just a few clicks.
Co-founder of Bolot Studio6+ Years E-commerce ExperienceFull-Stack Developer
Matte vs Glossy Metal Prints: Which Finish Is Right for You?
Compare matte and glossy metal print finishes. Learn which finish works best for different photos, rooms, and lighting conditions. Visual examples included.
Creates real impact in living rooms, dining rooms, and above headboards. Best for:
Feature walls in living rooms
Above the sofa
Dining room centrepieces
Master bedroom above the bed
Comes with magnetic mounting for easy installation.
Pro Tip
Not sure which size suits your wall? Bolot Studio's 3D configurator lets you
preview your photo at each size before ordering. Upload your image and see
exactly how it will look — no guesswork required.
Bolot Studio is a European metal print specialist based in Poland. Every print is handcrafted and individually inspected — no mass production.
What sets it apart for UK buyers:
The 3D configurator is unique in this market. Upload your photo and see a realistic preview on the metal surface, switch between sizes, compare matte and glossy finishes, and visualise the print in room settings. No other UK-delivering company offers this level of preview.
The printing process permanently bonds your image into the metal. It's not printed on top — it becomes part of the metal itself. The result is extraordinary colour depth, luminosity, and durability measured in decades.
Magnetic mounting is included with Classic and Statement sizes. The Safe Wall Magnetic system uses neodymium magnets with 3M adhesive — hang in seconds, reposition easily, no wall damage. The Keepsake comes with an elegant desk stand.
UK delivery takes 5-10 business days via tracked courier. While Contrado and PostSnap may be marginally faster thanks to UK production, Bolot's handcrafted quality and unique features make the short wait worthwhile.
Pricing is competitive with UK alternatives. Configure your print for exact GBP pricing.
Contrado manufactures in London, offering quick UK delivery and a wide range of products beyond metal prints. They focus on customised home decor and fashion.
Strengths: fast UK delivery (London production), wide product range, various materials and sizes.
Limitations: direct printing rather than dye infusion may result in less vibrant colours and shorter longevity. No 3D preview configurator. No magnetic mounting system. Metal prints are one of many products, not their speciality.
Best for: UK buyers who need fast delivery and want to order multiple types of customised products from one supplier.
PostSnap offers a straightforward metal print service with fast UK delivery. Their focus is on simplicity and speed.
Strengths: fast UK delivery, simple ordering process, competitive pricing.
Limitations: limited finish options (primarily glossy), no 3D preview, no magnetic mounting, surface printing method. Fewer size options than specialists.
Best for: UK buyers who prioritise speed and simplicity over premium quality.
Metal prints fit naturally into several popular UK interior styles:
Modern minimalist. The clean, frameless profile of metal prints suits minimalist interiors perfectly. A single Statement-size print on a feature wall creates impact without clutter.
Gallery walls. Multiple Classic-size prints arranged in a grid or salon style create a personalised gallery. Family photos, travel memories, and favourite moments make for a wall that tells your story.
Period properties. Metal prints bring a contemporary element to Victorian and Edwardian homes. A glossy landscape above a period fireplace creates a beautiful contrast between old and new.
Scandi-inspired. The luminous quality of metal prints complements the light, airy aesthetics of Scandinavian-inspired British homes.
Not every photo translates equally well to metal. Here's what works best:
High contrast images with strong darks and vibrant highlights look spectacular on metal. The surface adds luminosity that amplifies these qualities.
Landscapes and travel photography are natural fits. The metal surface enhances skies, water reflections, and natural colours.
Portraits with good lighting work beautifully. Skin tones appear natural and warm, and the detail in eyes and hair is remarkable.
Wedding photos — particularly those with natural light — translate exceptionally well. The emotional significance combined with metal's permanence makes these particularly meaningful.
Pet photography is a popular choice. The sharp detail of metal captures fur, feathers, and the personality in an animal's eyes.
Note
For the best results, use photos of at least 2000 pixels on the longest edge.
Your smartphone's camera almost certainly exceeds this. The 3D configurator
will warn you if resolution might be an issue.
Choose glossy for photographs with vibrant colours, strong contrast, and visual drama. Landscapes, sunsets, architectural photography, and any image where you want maximum impact.
Choose matte for portraits, soft lighting, and rooms with lots of natural light where reflections might be distracting. Matte also suits black-and-white photography beautifully.
Both finishes use the same printing process and are equally durable and waterproof.
For UK buyers, the choice comes down to priorities:
Best overall experience: Bolot Studio — handcrafted quality, 3D preview, magnetic mounting, competitive pricing, 5-10 day UK delivery.
Fastest UK delivery: Contrado or PostSnap — UK production means 3-7 day delivery, but at the cost of premium printing methods and unique features.
Professional lab quality: Saal Digital — the photographer's choice, but with longer delivery and higher prices.
Your memories deserve more than a phone screen. A personalised metal print transforms your most meaningful photographs into art that lasts generations — waterproof, vibrant, and uniquely yours.
Ready to Create Your Metal Print?
Transform your favorite photo into a stunning museum-quality metal print. Free EU shipping over £85.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Bolot Studio delivers personalised metal prints to the UK in 5-10 business days. Each print is handcrafted in Poland with your uploaded photo permanently bonded into the metal. Other options include Contrado and PostSnap, though they use different printing methods.
Personalised metal prints in the UK typically range from around £25 for a small desk-sized print to £80+ for large statement pieces. Bolot Studio offers competitive pricing with free shipping on qualifying orders. Use the 3D configurator for exact pricing.
Bolot Studio delivers to UK addresses in 5-10 business days via tracked courier from Poland. Each print is handcrafted to order, so production takes 2-4 days before shipping. You receive full tracking throughout.
For most photos, yes. Metal prints offer sharper detail, more vibrant colours, waterproof durability, and decades of colour stability. Canvas suits softer, painterly aesthetics but cannot match metal for photographic clarity and longevity.
For typical UK rooms: The Keepsake (13x9 cm) suits desks and shelves, The Classic (30x20 cm) works well above fireplaces and in hallways, and The Statement (42x30 cm) creates a focal point in living rooms. Use the 3D configurator to visualise sizes in your space.
The best personalised metal prints in the UK combine vibrant colour
reproduction, decades of durability, and reliable delivery. Bolot Studio offers
handcrafted prints from Poland with a 3D configurator, magnetic mounting, and
5-10 business day UK delivery. For photos that matter — weddings, family
portraits, travel memories — metal outperforms canvas and paper in every measurable way.
