Yes, acrylic is a good choice for picture frames in most homes. It is lighter than glass, much less likely to shatter if it falls, and lets a photo be printed edge to edge with no border. Its main weakness is that it scratches more easily than glass.
What is an acrylic photo frame?
Acrylic is a clear, rigid plastic sheet. People sometimes call it acrylic glass because it looks like glass, but it is not glass.
The name "acrylic photo frame" covers two different products:
- A traditional frame with an acrylic front. A paper print sits behind a clear acrylic sheet, inside a wooden or metal border.
- A frameless acrylic photo print. The photo is printed straight onto the acrylic, so the sheet itself is the picture. There is no border and no separate glass.
Orbiz makes the second kind. Our acrylic photo frames are UV printed from your photo, frameless, with a glossy finish that runs to every edge.
Acrylic or glass: which is better for a photo frame?
Neither wins on every point.
| Point | Acrylic | Glass |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Lighter for the same size | Heavier, more so in large sizes |
| If it falls | Much less likely to shatter | Can break into sharp pieces |
| Scratches | Marks more easily; needs a soft cloth | Harder surface; resists scratches better |
| Look | Frameless, photo to every edge, glossy | Usually a border around a paper print |
| Hanging | Light enough for double-sided tape, which comes with ours | Usually needs a nail or hook |
| Changing the photo | Not possible on a printed acrylic; the photo is permanent | Easy; open the back and swap the print |
When is acrylic the better choice?
- A child's room or a corridor. A frame that gets knocked by a football or a school bag is safer in acrylic.
- A rented flat. Double-sided tape means no drilling, which many landlords do not allow.
- A large photo. An A2 piece above a sofa or bed is 18 by 24 inches. At that size the lower weight matters.
When is glass the better choice?
Choose a glass frame if you want to change the photo every year, for example a school portrait that you update. Choose glass too if you like a carved or moulded border around the picture, or if the frame will sit where it is wiped often with rough cloths, such as a shop counter.
If you want the photo to be part of the material and not behind anything, a third option is wood. Our engraved wooden photo frames are laser engraved on rubwood or birchwood, so there is no glass, no acrylic and no ink.
What sizes do acrylic photo frames come in, and what do they cost?
Ours come in three sizes, in portrait or landscape, single or in sets. Prices are as listed on our site at the time of writing and include delivery within India.
| Size | Inches | Millimetres | Where it suits | One | Set of 2 | Set of 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A4 | 8 by 12 | 203 by 305 | Desks, shelves, a small gap on the wall | Rs 699 | Rs 999 | Rs 1,499 |
| A3 | 12 by 17 | 305 by 432 | A single portrait on a wall | Rs 1,399 | Rs 1,999 | Rs 2,999 |
| A2 | 18 by 24 | 457 by 610 | The wall above a sofa or bed | Rs 2,499 | Rs 3,499 | Rs 4,999 |
Sets cost less per frame. Three A4 frames at Rs 1,499 work out to about Rs 500 each, which suits three children's portraits going up a staircase.
How do you hang and look after an acrylic frame?
- Use the double-sided tape supplied with the frame, on a clean, dry, flat wall.
- Dust with a soft, dry cloth. For fingerprints, use a soft cloth that is slightly damp.
- Do not use scouring pads, rough paper or abrasive cleaners. They leave fine scratches on any acrylic.
What photo should you send?
The larger the frame, the sharper the photo needs to be, because a blurred picture looks worse at 18 by 24 inches than at 8 by 12. If you are unsure, send the photo on WhatsApp and we will tell you which size suits it. In every case we send a design proof on WhatsApp, and nothing is printed until you approve it.
Frames are made to order in our own studio in Kerala. Allow 3 to 5 days for delivery within Kerala and about 7 days for the rest of India.
Questions people ask
What is an acrylic picture frame?
An acrylic picture frame uses a clear acrylic sheet in place of glass. In the frameless kind that we make, the photo is UV printed straight onto the acrylic, so there is no border and no separate glass. The print runs edge to edge with a glossy finish, in A4, A3 or A2.
Is acrylic expensive?
Not in standard sizes. Our A4 acrylic photo frame is Rs 699, A3 is Rs 1,399 and A2 is Rs 2,499, each with free delivery within India. Sets bring the price per frame down: two A4 frames are Rs 999 and three are Rs 1,499 at the time of writing.
Can you frame acrylic prints?
You can, but a frameless acrylic print does not need one. The photo is printed on the acrylic and reaches every edge, so the piece hangs as it is. Ours come with double-sided tape for mounting. If you like a wooden look, an engraved wooden photo frame is a separate option.
Next step
Pick a size on the acrylic photo frames page and upload your photo. If you would like the photo on something that gets looked at every day, see the photo wall clocks, from Rs 649. Questions go to WhatsApp +91 9645 00 11 99 or connect@orbiz.in, Monday to Saturday, 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM.