A custom pet portrait can feel quite different depending on how it is displayed. Canvas has texture and depth; a framed print has a crisp paper surface and a defined black border. At Boone & Tail, the artwork starts the same way in either format: we create a digital watercolor-style portrait from your pet’s photograph, check its likeness, and print the finished piece. The choice is about the surface, size, and place it will live.
At a glance: canvas and framed poster
| Detail | Canvas | Framed poster |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | Textured polyester-cotton canvas | Matte paper behind a clear Acrylite protector |
| Display | Stretched over solid wood bars, with a 1.25-inch profile | Black wood frame with a 0.75-inch profile; no separate mat board |
| Available print sizes | 12 × 12, 16 × 16, and 20 × 20 inches | 10 × 10, 12 × 12, and 16 × 16 inches; the frame adds to the outer dimensions |
| Two pets together | 12 × 12 inches and larger | 12 × 12 inches and larger |
| Hanging | Mounting brackets included | Hanging hardware included |
Choose canvas for soft texture and a gallery edge
Canvas turns the portrait into a standalone object on the wall. Its surface has visible texture, and the stretched 1.25-inch edge gives it depth without an outer frame. The white space around Boone & Tail’s peekaboo composition keeps the face clear and gives the edges room to wrap.
The 12 × 12 canvas suits a smaller wall or a grouping of portraits. The 16 × 16 is a flexible middle size. The 20 × 20 has the most presence across a room. Our canvas size guide shows a simple way to test the scale with painter’s tape before you order.
Choose a framed print for a defined border
The framed version places the matte paper print inside a slim black wood frame with a clear front protector. It has no separate mat board, so the artwork and its white background remain the focus. This finish works well beside other framed art, photographs, or prints.
A 10 × 10 framed portrait is available for one pet. If two pets will share the artwork, choose a 12 × 12 or 16 × 16 framed print so both faces have space. Remember that the quoted print size is not the complete outer dimension of the frame.
How to decide for your room
- Look at what is already on the wall. A framed print sits naturally with a collection of black frames; canvas can stand alone without a border.
- Measure the actual space. Mark the proposed square with painter’s tape and step back. For a framed print, leave extra room for the frame outside the print dimensions.
- Think about viewing distance. A smaller piece invites an up-close look; a larger canvas gives the face more presence from across the room.
- Count the pets. A two-pet composition needs at least 12 × 12 inches in either finish.
The same personal artwork in either finish
Both options begin with a clear reference photo and the details you add to the order. We create the artwork digitally in our square watercolor style, check the eyes, markings, and expression, then send it for professional printing. There is no separate customer proof step. If a photo needs clarification, we contact you before creating the artwork. Standard U.S. shipping is included, with current sizes and prices shown on the custom pet portrait product page.
Still choosing a reference? Start with the pet portrait photo guide or read how the order process works.