Expert Guidance

Displaying Your Art

The right lighting and placement can transform a fine art print from beautiful to breathtaking. Here's how to get the most from your piece.

Lighting

Lighting is the single most important factor in how your print looks on the wall. A well-lit print reveals depth, color, and detail that flat ambient light simply cannot.

What to Look For

  • —CRI 90+ (ideally 95+). CRI (Color Rendering Index) measures how accurately a light source reveals colors. Standard household LEDs often have a CRI of 80 — fine for general lighting, but not for art. Look for LED fixtures rated 90 CRI or above. 95+ CRI will show your print's colors exactly as intended.
  • —300+ lux at the print surface. This is the brightness level where fine detail and color depth become fully visible. You can measure this with an inexpensive lux meter.
  • —30-degree angle from above. Position your light source above the print, angled down at roughly 30 degrees. This minimizes glare while evenly illuminating the surface, and creates a natural, gallery-like presentation.

Light Types That Work Well

  • —Recessed ceiling spots — Clean, unobtrusive. Aim for adjustable gimbal fixtures so you can direct the beam precisely.
  • —Track lighting — Flexible and easy to adjust. Great for highlighting multiple pieces along a wall.
  • —LED picture lights — An option for smaller prints, but not generally recommended. They can struggle to illuminate larger pieces evenly, creating hot spots near the top and dimmer areas below.

Considerations by Print Type

Lumachrome HD Acrylic

These prints look their absolute best in controlled lighting. The iridium-infused layer creates extraordinary depth when properly lit — directed light from above brings out the three-dimensional quality that makes Lumachrome special. TruVue acrylic provides excellent UV protection and is already anti-reflective, making it ideal for a variety of lighting conditions.

Metal Prints

Our metal prints are produced on a white satin finish, which naturally diffuses harsh light rather than reflecting it — making them the best option for high-glare environments. They're also waterproof, making them ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, or covered outdoor spaces where other prints would be at risk.

Natural Light

While both print types are well-protected from UV — Lumachrome through TruVue acrylic and metal prints inherently — dedicated lighting is highly recommended to bring out the full depth, detail, and color of your print. Natural daylight alone won't reveal what these prints are truly capable of.

Placement & Hanging

All prints ship with a french cleat hanging system and instructions. French cleats provide a secure, level mount that distributes weight evenly — no need for precise stud placement.

  • —Height: Center the image at eye level — roughly 57 to 60 inches from the floor. In rooms where you're mostly seated (dining room, office), adjust slightly lower.
  • —Wall color: Neutral tones — white, light gray, warm beige — let the art speak for itself. Avoid busy wallpaper or strongly colored walls that compete with the print.
  • —Groupings: When hanging multiple prints, maintain 2-4 inches of space between frames. Align either the top edges or the center line for a cohesive gallery wall.

Have questions about displaying your print? Get in touch — we're happy to help you find the perfect spot. Send us a photo of your wall and we'll create a mockup so you can visualize exactly how a piece will look in your space.

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