Framed prints are timeless — but are they still the best way to display your photos? Here is how they compare to metal.
Metal prints offer a sleek, contemporary alternative to traditional framed photos. With no glass to break, no frame to dust, and no fading for generations, metal prints are lower-maintenance, more durable, and deliver sharper image quality than standard framed prints.
A framed print — a photograph or art print behind glass, held in a decorative frame — has been the default way to display images on walls for centuries. It is familiar, elegant, and endlessly customizable in terms of mat and frame choices.
But framed prints come with trade-offs: glass breaks, frames collect dust, and the print behind them can fade or yellow over time. Metal prints eliminate every one of those issues while delivering a clean, modern aesthetic that suits contemporary interiors.
How frameless metal stacks up against traditional framed photography.
| Feature | Bolot Metal Prints | Framed Prints |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Premium metal with advanced metal printing ink infusion | Paper or photo print behind glass in a wooden or metal frame |
| Durability | many decades; no glass, no fading, no warping | Glass can break; photo may fade or yellow in 10–20 years |
| Customization | Upload any photo; 3 sizes, matte or glossy finish | Vast frame and mat options; most sizes available |
| Print Quality | Ultra-sharp, vivid; no glass glare blocking the image | Good quality but glass causes reflections and glare |
| Water Resistance | Fully waterproof — perfect for kitchens and bathrooms | Not waterproof; humidity damages both frame and print |
| UV Resistance | Colours infused into aluminium remain vibrant for decades | Paper prints fade under sunlight; protective glass adds significant cost |
| Weight | Very lightweight; easy one-person install | Heavy with glass and frame; may need wall anchors |
| Mounting | Magnetic mount — no nails, no wall damage | Nails, hooks, or anchors; often needs careful leveling |
| Price Range | From €14 to €37 — free EU shipping included | €20–€150+ for print, mat, frame, and glass combined |
| Best For | Modern interiors, vivid photos, zero-maintenance display | Traditional decor, mixed gallery walls, art reproductions |
The upgrade from traditional framing that your photos — and your walls — will thank you for.
Framed prints suffer from reflections that obscure the image from certain angles. Metal prints deliver a clear, unobstructed view of your photo from every direction.
Forget nails, hooks, and spirit levels. Our magnetic mounting system lets you place, adjust, and reposition your print in seconds — with zero wall damage.
Frames collect dust on every edge and surface. Metal prints have a flush, seamless profile — a quick wipe is the only maintenance they will ever need.
Glass frames are a hazard in children's rooms, bathrooms, and high-traffic areas. Metal prints are shatterproof, waterproof, and safe to hang anywhere.
Common questions about upgrading from traditional frames to metal prints.
No glass, no frame, no fading. Just your photo at its absolute best — on premium metal.