If you are deciding between a canvas print and a metal print, here is the short version. Canvas is cheaper up front, but in the South African sun it tends to sag and fade within a year or two. A metal print has the photo sealed into an aluminium panel, so it keeps its colour and its shape for years. Below is the full comparison so you can pick the right one for your wall.
What is a metal print?
A metal print is a photo printed onto a thin aluminium panel using dye-sublimation. Heat and pressure turn the ink into a gas that sinks into the coating on the metal, so the picture becomes part of the surface instead of sitting on top of it like paper or a sticker. What you end up with is a flat, lightweight panel with the image running edge to edge, no frame and no glass.
Chromix prints come in A-sizes from A4 up to A1, with square, sharp corners and your choice of a glossy or a matte finish. The gloss is reflective and makes colours read deep and punchy. The matte is calm and has no glare.
Why canvas fades and sags in South Africa
Canvas has two weaknesses that show up quickly here. The first is the sun. Our UV index regularly climbs above 11, which is high by world standards, and inkjet canvas can start fading in direct light within about six months. Skies wash out, skin tones flatten, and the people in the photo slowly sink into the background.
The second is the material. Canvas is fabric stretched over a wooden frame, and in our heat the fabric loosens and sags, sometimes pulling the frame out of shape. Most people only notice months later, long after the return window has closed.
Metal vs canvas: a side-by-side comparison
| Canvas print | Metal print | |
|---|---|---|
| Fading in SA sun | Can fade within ~6 months in direct light | Highly fade resistant, built to last decades |
| Sagging or warping | Fabric loosens and frames can warp | Rigid aluminium, nothing to stretch |
| Finish | Matte, soft, textured | Gloss (reflective) or matte, smooth |
| Weight and depth | Bulky wooden block | Thin, light, sits almost flat |
| Hanging | Nail or hook, needs a hole | Magnet pad, no drilling |
| Typical lifespan | A year or two before it shows | Built to last decades |
Do metal prints fade?
Metal prints are far more fade resistant than canvas. The dye is sealed inside the surface, and the panel does not rely on fabric or a wooden frame, so there is nothing to stretch, yellow, or peel. Kept out of permanent harsh direct sun, a metal print is built to last decades. It is about as close as you get to a print you hang once and stop worrying about.
How you hang a metal print without drilling
Every Chromix print comes with a magnet mount, so you do not put a single hole in the wall. You peel a small adhesive pad, press it flat for a few seconds, and the panel snaps onto it with a built-in magnet. It sits flush against the wall, it is easy to reposition, and it lifts off clean when you move out. If you rent and cannot risk the deposit, that alone is a good reason to skip canvas and framing. Larger sizes use two pads for extra hold.
Turn your own photo into a metal print
You are not stuck with ready-made art. Upload the wedding photos, the family shoot still sitting in a folder, the shot of your car on the day you got it, whatever matters to you, and we print it onto metal. Send the highest-resolution original you have. A real photograph prints best; a screenshot or a saved-off-social copy will not hold up at A2 or A1. The gloss finish is especially good for photos with deep colour or strong light, because the reflective surface makes them look rich and sharp. You can turn a photo into a custom metal print here.
What do metal prints cost in South Africa?
Chromix prints are made locally, so there is no import wait and no customs bill landing later. Pricing runs by size, R750 for A4, R1150 for A3, R1700 for A2 and R2300 for A1 in gloss, with matte a little less. Delivery is free on orders over R1000. You can see the current prices and finishes on the product page. Because it is printed and shipped from within South Africa, a damaged-in-transit metal print from overseas is not something you have to plan around.
Frequently asked questions
How long do metal prints last?
A metal print is built to last decades. The image is sealed into the aluminium’s coating rather than sitting on the surface, and there is no fabric or wooden stretcher to sag or warp, so there is nothing to yellow, crack or peel. Keeping it out of permanent direct sun helps it last even longer.
Do metal prints fade in the sun?
They are much more resistant to fading than canvas or paper. The dye sits inside the sealed surface rather than on top of it, which protects it from UV far better than an inkjet canvas. In a normal room, colours stay true for years. Very harsh, all-day direct sun is best avoided with any print.
Can I hang a metal print in a rental?
Yes. Chromix prints use a magnet pad that sticks to the wall with no drilling and no holes. It peels off cleanly when you move, so there is nothing to patch and no deposit to lose. It is one of the few genuinely renter-friendly ways to hang real wall art.
What is the difference between gloss and matte?
Gloss is reflective and makes colours look deep and vivid, which suits bold, punchy photos. Matte has no glare and gives a softer, calmer look that is easy to view in bright rooms. Both are printed into the metal, so the finish is a look, not a coating that wears off.
Can I print my own photo on metal?
Yes. You upload your own image and we print it onto an aluminium panel. It works for phone photos, professional shoots, artwork, car photos, and more. We check the crop and colours before printing so it comes out the way you want.
Are Chromix metal prints made in South Africa?
Yes. Everything is printed locally, so there is no importing, no customs charge, and no three-week wait. It also means less risk of shipping damage than ordering metal art from overseas.
Written by the Chromix team. Chromix makes HD metal prints in South Africa, with a magnet mount and no drilling. Last updated August 2026.
