Wood prints put your artwork on a 10 mm plywood panel, and the wood becomes part of the picture. Pale areas of your image let more of the surface show through, so the result is warmer and more natural than paper. It suits fantasy maps, woodland scenes, portraits and painted figures in earthy colours. There are two sizes, 30 x 40 and 40 x 50 cm.
How wood prints change your image
Unlike paper, the panel under the print is not a neutral surface. Wherever your image is pale, the colour of the wood comes through; wherever it is dark and dense, the print dominates. That makes a light sky or a pale background look warm, and it gives a map or a parchment-style design a natural finish.
Images that work on plywood
Warm palettes, browns and greens, and drawings with strong line work suit the panel best. A painted figure with a dark, saturated scheme stays close to the original, while a pale one takes on more of the wood. If your artwork depends on a clean white background, paper or metal is the better choice.
Painted figures on wood
A painted miniature photographed against dark card prints best on wood, because the dark background keeps the grain out of the frame and leaves the figure itself to carry the colour. Earthy schemes, leather, bone and bronze sit naturally on the panel. A figure shot on white card will show the wood through the background, which suits a rustic piece but not a crisp display shot. Miniature photography covers the backdrop.
Maps, campaigns and fantasy art
A hand-drawn campaign map, a tavern sign or a piece of fantasy art already has the look of something made from natural materials, and the panel adds to it. Scan a paper map flat instead of photographing it at an angle, and keep the edges straight so the borders sit square on the panel. Strong ink lines survive the wood grain better than faint pencil.
Two sizes, 10 mm thick
The panel comes in 30 x 40 or 40 x 50 cm, and is 10 mm thick. Both sizes suit a hobby room, a study or a spot above a gaming table. The two sizes are close in proportion but not identical, so check the crop at the size you want before you order. A panel this size also sits well on a shelf, leaning against the wall, if you would rather not put up a hook.
Getting the colour right
Because the wood shows through, the finished colour depends on your file as well as the panel. If a pale area matters, such as a face or a sky, darken it slightly in your file before you upload, and less of the wood will show through it. Keep a copy of the original file untouched, in case you later want the same picture on paper.
Starting with your picture
Prints made with “Print as it is” keep your artwork unchanged on the plywood. If you choose “Create a scene” for a painted miniature, look at the preview with the wood colour in mind, because pale parts of the scene will take it on, and approve it only when you are happy. We send the tracking by email when the wood print ships, and delivery and returns lists the timings.
