The Natural Advantage of Plywood: Best Practices for Printing on This Medium
Plywood is one of the most stable and versatile materials available for fine art and photographic printing. Unlike solid, single-plank wood, which can be prone to warping and cracking, plywood is constructed from cross-laminated veneers. This structure provides incredible strength and flatness, making it an ideal canvas for direct-to-wood printing.
At Plywerk, we are passionate about the aesthetic qualities of this engineered medium. However, printing on plywood—or any real wood—requires a different approach than printing on canvas or paper. The grain is an active participant in the final image, not a passive background.
The Three Key Considerations for Plywood Prints
If you're preparing a photo for a plywood print, keep these three material characteristics in mind:
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Grain Visibility: Plywood typically has a strong, repeating grain pattern. If you choose a natural finish (where the white ink is not used), the grain will show through all light areas of your photo (whites, yellows, light blues). This effect is beautiful for rustic images, landscapes, and portraits. However, if your image requires pure white (like a technical diagram or a logo), you must select an opaque finish that uses a layer of white ink to block the grain.
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Color Absorption: Wood is porous and naturally warm-toned. The wood itself acts as a filter, slightly warming all the colors in your image. This is why photos often look richer and deeper on plywood than on a screen. For critical color matching, slight adjustments might be needed (e.g., slightly cooling the image before submission) to counteract the natural warmth of the wood.
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Edge Detail: Since plywood is made of layers, the edges showcase these thin, horizontal lines. This layered edge is often a signature design element. When choosing your print size, ensure your subject is not too close to the edge, as the natural lines of the wood can distract from the main focus of your wooden picture.
Ensuring Flawless Image Submission
While understanding the wood medium is vital, the most critical part of the process is submitting a file that is technically sound. Even the finest plywood will reveal flaws in a low-resolution file.
We always encourage our clients to prioritize DPI, color profile, and aspect ratio to guarantee a flawless result. Knowing the difference between PPI and DPI, and how to size your image correctly for a large print, will save you time and ensure professional-grade quality.
For a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to size, crop, and prepare your digital file to meet the highest standards of the wood printing industry, we recommend consulting a leading expert resource.
➡️ Visit Woodsnap's guide to perfect file preparation for your next photo on wood project.