Table of Contents
- Why Custom Size Canvas Prints Work Better Than Standard Sizes
- How to Measure for Canvas Wall Art: Getting Your Dimensions Right
- Available Canvas Sizes and Bespoke Dimensions
- Canvas Print Aspect Ratio Guide: Choosing the Right Shape
- Framed vs Unframed Canvas Prints: Which Is Right for You
- Material Quality and Printing Technology
- Coastal and Landscape Canvas Options
- Ordering, Delivery and What to Expect
Last Updated: August 17, 2026
Why Custom Size Canvas Prints Work Better Than Standard Sizes
Standard canvas sizes force compromise, too small for your wall or awkwardly oversized for your space. Custom size canvas prints let you fit the art to your room instead, creating an intentional focal point rather than a settled-for piece.
Custom sizing controls visual weight in your space. A landscape that works beautifully at 80cm might feel cramped at 60cm or overwhelming at 120cm. Dimensions change how the image reads on your wall. Paints2prints builds their entire offering around customisable dimensions rather than forcing customers into preset boxes.
Aspect ratio, the relationship between width and height, mattes just as much as overall size. A panoramic canvas creates a completely different mood than a square or portrait-oriented print. Get the dimensions right, and the same image becomes a focal point that anchors an entire room.
How to Measure for Canvas Wall Art: Getting Your Dimensions Right
Measure twice, order once. You're finding the dimensions that make sense for your specific wall, furniture placement, and visual balance.
Identify where the canvas will hang. A canvas above a sofa typically works best when it's roughly 75-90% of the sofa's width. Too small and it looks lost; too large and it dominates uncomfortably. For a bed, the canvas should be around 60-80% of the bed width.
Measure the wall space from corner to corner, or mark out the area you want to fill with painter's tape or a pencil. Step back and look at it from different angles, from the doorway, across the room, from the sofa if that's where you'll view it most. This prevents the "it looked bigger in my head" moment.

Measure the height and width in centimetres and write them down. Measure again from a different starting point to verify. Most standard walls have slight variations.
Consider the aspect ratio of your chosen image. If your photograph is naturally landscape-oriented, forcing it into a square canvas means either cropping part of the image or adding blank space. Instead, choose dimensions that honour the image's natural proportions. Paints2prints allows you to specify custom dimensions, matching the canvas size to your photo's actual aspect ratio.
Available Canvas Sizes and Bespoke Dimensions
Canvas prints come in three broad categories: small, medium, and large. What matters is how the size works in your specific space.
Small Prints (Under 60cm)
Small canvas prints work best in compact spaces, narrow walls, or as part of a gallery wall arrangement. A 30cm × 40cm canvas is perfectly proportioned on a narrow hallway wall or above a bedside table. Small prints also work well in home offices, kitchens, or any space where you want a subtle accent rather than a dominant focal point.
Small prints offer flexibility. You can arrange multiple canvases together to create visual interest without committing to a single large piece. Renters often prefer small prints because they're easier to hang and move. Paints2prints offers small custom sizes, so you can get exactly 35cm × 50cm instead of the typical 40cm × 60cm.
Small prints are also more affordable, with lower base costs and less canvas material. If you're testing a new style or trying a particular image before committing to a larger version, starting small is sensible.
Medium Prints (60-120cm)
Medium-sized canvas prints are the workhorses of home decor. A 60cm × 80cm canvas or an 80cm × 100cm piece fits above most sofas, beds, or accent walls without overwhelming the space. This is where most people find their sweet spot, large enough to make real visual impact, but not so large that it dominates the entire room.
Medium prints are ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, and dining areas. They work particularly well with coastal and landscape themes. The Cornish Coast: Ocean Art Canvas Print from Paints2prints (£69.00) works beautifully in this size range, large enough to showcase the detail and movement of the waves, but proportioned to work in most residential spaces.

A medium custom size canvas print gives you flexibility to match your exact wall dimensions. If your wall is 150cm wide and you want a canvas that's roughly 80% of that width, you can order a custom 120cm × 80cm piece instead of settling for the nearest standard size.
Large-Format Prints (Over 120cm)
Large-format canvas prints make a statement. A 150cm × 100cm canvas or larger becomes a genuine focal point. These work best in open-plan spaces, large living rooms, or commercial settings where you have adequate wall space.
Large prints demand attention to placement. They need adequate wall space and work best when there's minimal furniture competing for visual focus. The Rocky Coast, Berwickshire, Scotland print from Paints2prints (£69.00) would be stunning at large format, with the dramatic energy of the Scottish coast translating beautifully when you can see the detail and texture.
Large prints are less forgiving of imperfect walls or poor lighting. But if your space can accommodate it, a large custom size canvas print creates an impact that smaller pieces cannot match.
Canvas Print Aspect Ratio Guide: Choosing the Right Shape
Aspect ratio is the relationship between the width and height of your canvas. It's the single most important factor in whether a print looks balanced in your space or feels slightly off.
Landscape orientation (wider than tall) suits most living rooms, bedrooms, and above-sofa placements. A 120cm × 80cm canvas reads as naturally proportioned in most residential spaces. Landscape prints feel expansive and calm, encouraging the eye to move horizontally across the image. Coastal photographs almost always work better in landscape format.
Portrait orientation (taller than wide) works best on narrower walls, above desks or dressers, or in gallery wall arrangements. A 60cm × 90cm canvas creates vertical emphasis. Portrait prints suit certain landscape compositions like tall waterfalls, forests, or dramatic cliff faces. They also work well in hallways or entryways where horizontal wall space is limited.
Square format (equal width and height) is increasingly popular for modern interiors. An 80cm × 80cm canvas feels contemporary and balanced. Squares work particularly well in minimalist spaces or as part of a multi-canvas arrangement. They're also excellent for photographs that don't naturally fit landscape or portrait proportions.
To choose your aspect ratio, look at your chosen photograph. Does the image naturally feel wider than tall? Order landscape. Taller? Go portrait. If the image has a strong central subject, a square might work best. Paints2prints lets you specify custom dimensions, so you're never forced to crop or compromise the image to fit a preset box.
Framed vs Unframed Canvas Prints: Which Is Right for You
This choice comes down to your space, style, and how permanent you want your installation to be.
Unframed canvas prints (box canvas or gallery wrap) come stretched over a wooden frame and ready to hang. The canvas wraps around the edges, creating a clean, contemporary look that works well in modern spaces. Unframed prints are slightly less expensive and easier to install.
The downside is that unframed prints show dust and are more vulnerable to damage if bumped or moved. They're also not ideal if you're a renter worried about wall damage.
Framed canvas prints add protection and visual polish. Paints2prints offers floating frames crafted from Poplar hardwood, creating the appearance of the canvas floating within the frame. These frames are 1cm wide from the front and 4cm deep from the side, giving the print a professional gallery appearance. Framed prints come ready to hang with pre-installed sawtooth hardware and rubber bumpers to protect your wall.
Framed prints cost more, but they're more durable and easier to move without damaging the canvas. If you're renting, a framed print with proper hanging hardware is actually less risky for your walls than an unframed canvas.
For most people, the choice comes down to room style and budget. Modern, minimalist spaces favour unframed. Traditional or eclectic spaces often benefit from the finished look of a frame.
Material Quality and Printing Technology
Not all canvas prints are created equal. The material, ink, and printing technology determine whether your custom size canvas print will look vibrant in five years or fade into a dull shadow of itself.
Paints2prints uses poly-cotton blend canvas with a matte or satin finish. This is professional-grade material, 344gsm weight and 17.5mm thickness, substantial enough to hold detail without sagging or warping. The poly-cotton blend offers the natural feel of cotton with the durability and water resistance of synthetic material.
Paints2prints uses water-based HP Latex inks with UV protection, which means colours won't fade noticeably when exposed to sunlight. UV-resistant inks prevent the yellowing and colour shift that happens with cheaper inks over time. If your coastal or landscape canvas hangs in a bright room or near a window, UV protection is essential.
The combination of quality canvas and UV-protected inks means your print will maintain colour and vibrancy for years. This is why a custom size canvas print from a professional printer costs more than a cheap online alternative, you're paying for materials and technology that actually last.
Coastal and Landscape Canvas Options
Coastal and landscape prints are the foundation of Paints2prints's collection. These themes work because they create a sense of calm and connection to nature, exactly what most people want from their home decor.

Coastal prints capture the energy and mood of beaches and shorelines. The Cornish Coast: Ocean Art Canvas Print (£69.00) shows rolling waves and dramatic coastline energy. Overstrand Beach: 'before the storm' (£69.00) captures light dancing on brooding waters before a storm. East Coast Calm (£69.00) offers a serene, peaceful beach landscape.
Coastal prints work best in bedrooms, living rooms, and any space where you want to evoke escape or tranquility. They pair well with neutral colour schemes, whites, greys, soft blues, but also work beautifully with warmer tones like terracotta or sage green.
Landscape prints broaden the range beyond beaches. Twilight on the River Blackwater (£59.00) captures evening light on an estuary. Rocky Coast, Berwickshire, Scotland (£69.00) emphasises the dramatic energy of rocky shorelines. Polzeath Beach (£69.00) combines coastal and landscape elements with vibrant low-tide colours.

When choosing between coastal and landscape options, consider your room's existing palette and mood. A calm, minimal bedroom might benefit from a serene coastal print. A larger living room with warmer tones might suit a dramatic landscape. The advantage of custom sizing is that you can choose the print first, then order the exact dimensions that work for your space.
Ordering, Delivery and What to Expect
The ordering process for a custom size canvas print is straightforward.
Start by choosing your image from Paints2prints's curated collection of coastal and landscape prints. Once you've chosen, specify your custom dimensions. Enter your desired width and height in centimetres, and you'll see an instant preview of how the image will be cropped or scaled to fit those dimensions.
Before confirming your order, check the preview carefully. Some images crop better than others. A landscape photograph with important detail at the edges might lose impact if you order it in a very wide, shallow aspect ratio.
Next, choose framing: unframed canvas (box canvas on a wooden stretcher frame) or framed (floating frame with hardware and wall protection). Both come ready to hang.
Paints2prints offers free shipping to the UK and EU on all orders, a significant advantage over competitors. Free shipping means your quoted price is your final price.
Delivery typically takes 5-10 working days from order confirmation. Your canvas is printed to order, ensuring colour accuracy and customisation.
When your canvas arrives, inspect it immediately. Check that the dimensions match your order, that the image looks as expected, and that there's no damage to the canvas or frame. If there's an issue, contact Paints2prints within a few days of delivery.
Custom size canvas prints give you control that standard sizes cannot match. You're not compromising on dimensions, aspect ratio, or final presentation. Paints2prints makes the process accessible with free shipping, professional-grade materials with UV-protected inks, and genuine customisation options. Whether you're furnishing a new space or refreshing an existing room with coastal or landscape art, ordering the exact dimensions that work for your walls means the finished piece will look intentional and perfectly suited to your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I measure my wall for a custom canvas print?
Start by measuring the width and height of your wall space in centimetres. Leave 15-20cm of space from furniture edges to create visual balance. Use a tape measure horizontally and vertically, then note both dimensions. Consider the wall's colour and existing décor, a canvas should occupy roughly 50-75% of the wall area for impact without overwhelming the room. Once you have your measurements, check the aspect ratio of your chosen image to ensure it fits your space proportionally.
What's the difference between framed and unframed canvas prints?
Unframed canvas prints come stretched on a wooden frame and are ready to hang immediately, ideal for a modern, minimalist look. Framed canvas prints add an extra layer of FSC-certified poplar hardwood around the edge, creating a gallery-style finish that suits traditional or eclectic interiors. Framed options cost more but offer a polished appearance and extra protection. Unframed prints are lighter and work well for renters since they cause minimal wall damage. Both come with pre-installed hanging hardware.
Can I order custom size canvas prints if standard sizes don't fit my wall?
Yes, custom size canvas prints can be tailored to your exact dimensions. Measure your wall space first, then specify your preferred width and height when ordering. This ensures the print fits perfectly without awkward gaps or requiring repositioning. Custom sizing is particularly useful for unusual wall shapes, alcoves, or spaces between furniture. Most custom orders maintain colour accuracy and print quality regardless of size, using the same professional printing technology as standard options.
What canvas materials are used and how long do they last?
Our canvas prints use a poly-cotton blend (344gsm weight) with water-based HP Latex inks and UV protection, making them resistant to fading, cracking and warping. The canvas is stretched on solid wooden frames from renewable sources, 3.2-4cm deep. This archival-quality combination ensures vibrant colours and durability for 10+ years in typical home conditions. The matte or satin finish prevents glare and enhances colour accuracy, while the eco-friendly inks are safe for indoor air quality.
This article was written using GrandRanker
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