As an avid photographer and photo printing enthusiast with over a decade of experience testing services, I was intrigued when I recently discovered Fracture. Their concept of engraving images inside glass stood out from other materials like paper or canvas. After ordering several personal prints, I‘m convinced this novel medium creates stunning keepsakes that make meaningful gifts.
Overview of Fracture‘s Glass Photo Printing
Founded in 2009, Fracture aims to redefine photo printing by using a sublimation process to infuse dyes directly into tempered glass sheets. This bonds inks at a molecular level for enduring, fade-resistant images. The custom prints forgo external frames, showcasing photos within elegant glass plates.
I first noticed Fracture from rave reviews praising their print quality, range of sizes, and sleek final presentation. While glass seemed risky for casual handling, ratings averaging 4.8/5 stars convinced me to try the service myself.
Here’s a snapshot of the most appealing features:
- 8 sizes from petite 5”x5” keepsakes up to substantial 23” x 23” enlargements
- Material choices of Crystal Clear or anti-glare Matte glass
- Vibrant, accurate color reproduction from high-resolution uploads
- Ships fast in days; free delivery for orders over $100
- Happiness guarantee and lifetime workmanship warranty
But breathtaking photos require starting with great source material. Before detailing my firsthand experience with Fracture, let’s discuss…
Choosing Images for Glass Printing
Custom printing calls for carefully curating your best photos to showcase within glass. As a professional photographer, I have high standards for accurately rendering colors, contrast and image clarity when printing my work.
Here are my top tips for selecting shots that translate beautifully onto glass:
- Composition: Well-composed images grab attention. Evaluate framing, subject positioning and background elements.
- Focus: Ensure eyes or key details appear sharp, not blurry. Soft focus can work for abstract images.
- Lighting: Proper exposure and color balancing helps photos pop. Avoid very dark or washed out pics.
- Color and Contrast: Vibrant hues and bold contrast attract the eye while muted tones recede. Boost contrast digitally if needed.
- Content: Consider photos with personal meaning or decorative appeal for home décor.
Ideally, curate a collection representing your photographic strengths and passions. Varied subject matter, perspectives and aspect ratios prevent repetitive displays.
Above all, select images you feel proud of — glass spotlights your cherished moments for all to admire.
Ordering Glass Prints with Fracture
Placing orders through Fracture’s website proved blissfully simple. I encountered zero hiccups uploading photos or selecting my preferred specifications.
Here‘s an overview of what to expect when customizing your glass prints:
- Upload Images: Nearly any common JPG or PNG format and aspect ratio works. Images should meet a 1MB minimum size threshold for best printing resolution.
- Select Size: Sizes range from 5”x5” up to 23”x23” enlargements across squares and rectangles. Retail prices span $17 – $125 accordingly.
- Choose Material: Opt for subtle shine with Crystal Clear glass or subdued reflectivity from Matte finish.
- Pick Extras: Add on premium touches like corner protectors or tabletop easels for displaying prints.
- Confirm Order: Validate final selections including orientation before checkout.
I appreciated the instant digital proofs when experimenting with different printing sizes. This let me preview how images would translate to glass frames across various dimensions.
For bonus confidence, Fracture offers a 100% happiness guarantee. Their exceptional customer service team promptly resolves any rare issues.
Unboxing the Glass Photo Prints
I admit feeling gleeful anticipation awaiting delivery of my first glass print order. Fracture perfectly packages prints to prevent shipping damage. Each print arrives individually wrapped in bubbled packaging secured within sturdy cardboard boxes.
Carefully unpacking reveals prints encased within protective film ready to peel off. Custom editorial content included explains proper mounting procedures.
Seeing my images transformed into substantial glass plates felt magical. Colors dazzle with accuracy only possible from high-caliber photographic printing. Crystal Clear finish divinely illuminates subjects when light shines through.
The clean, frameless glass exudes understated elegance perfect for modern decor. Graphics, portraits or nature photography all shimmer when backlit. Photos lift vibrantly off the medium with dimensional qualities superior to posters.
Decorating with Fracture Glass Prints
Part of the appeal with frameless glass prints comes from the creative freedom to mount as desired. I experimented placing my initial orders in various rooms to assess versatility:
- Kitchen: Clustered still life fruit images over the stovebacksplash for a pop of color
- Office: Rotated through nature photos to enjoy seasonal ambience
- Bathroom: Coordinated black and white boudoir prints across the vanity
- Living Room: Mixed sizes and orientations for an eclectic gallery arrangement
- Bedroom: Showcased intimate travel portraits above the headboard
I secured prints using standard Command removable mounting strips. The foam backing provides enough depth for strips to adhere without touching fragile glass. Mounting proves forgiving for rearranging configurations until discovering perfect positioning.
For gifts, many customers add personal customization like names or dates. Decorators could also overlay inspiring quotes or patterns using window cling decals.
How Do Glass Prints Compare to Canvas?
As an experienced print tester, friends constantly asked how glass compared to more familiar materials like professional photographic canvas.
Fracture prints match or exceed the image quality possible from reputable canvas printing companies like CanvasPop or Bay Photo. Colors impress with stunning accuracy and vibrancy thanks to highly-specialized photographic sublimation process.
Glass printing allows greater color depth than canvas materials can achieve. Backlighting reveals iridescent tones and dimension as images seemingly float within glass. The transparency adds alluring glow compared to canvas only reflecting light off the surface.
From a durability perspective, canvas better withstands handling without breakage concerns. But Fracture tempers and secures glass tightly to foam backing for reasonable protection. Handles also offer easy carrying between rooms.
For cost, canvas holds the advantage on very oversized prints thanks to cheaper base materials. But glass compares favorably for smaller to medium sizes, averaging savings around 40-60% over custom canvas framing.
Check out this side-by-side comparison evaluating key factors:
| Comparison Factors | Fracture Glass Prints | Canvas Prints |
|---|---|---|
| Photo Quality | Superior colors and clarity | Vibrant and accurate |
| Material Choice | Glass or acrylic | Variety of canvas blends |
| Depth and Dimension | Glows vividly when backlit | Reflective surface |
| Durability | Delicate but reinforced when mounted | Withstands impact and bending |
| Cost Factor | Competitive to canvas except very large sizes | Cheaper for oversized prints |
| Decor Styles | Sleek and modern | Fits in traditional frames |
Ultimately both materials impress for showcasing photography. But for pure wow-factor and innovative allure, glass prints stand alone as my new favorite medium!
Showstopping Gift Ideas with Fracture
Giving personalized photo gifts show loved ones how cherished they are. As a sentimental person, I believe few gestures feel more meaningful than preserving special memories through art.
Fracture prints double as phenomenal gifts by immortalizing moments within elegant glass:
- Weddings: Surprise newlyweds with your favorite reception images engraved.
- Parent Portraits: Grandparents will fawn over seeing grandkids’ smiling faces illuminate.
- Pet Memorials: Honor departed furry friends by memorializing them in art.
- Homewarming: Housewares stores sell generic “live, laugh, love” decor. Personalize with custom prints showcasing genuine memories.
- Long Distance: If separated by distance, create shared collections to always feel connected.
- Birthdays: Milestone birthdays call for spectacular personalized gifts.
For recipients lacking wall space, gift accompanying tabletop or desktop stands. Include gift messages for extra sentimental value.
Current Fracture Deals
Part of what won me over trying glass printing involved Fracture‘s reasonable pricing. They run regular promotions that enhance overall value:
- New Customer Intro Offer – 20% Off Orders
- Buy One Print, Get Second 30% Off
- Refer Friends, Get $10 Credit Per Signup
- Subscribing Unlocks Exclusive Discounts
- Additional Savings Buying 3-5 Multi-Print Packs
Deals frequently change, so check their website special offers section before ordering. Bundling multiple prints together saves the most money.
Final Verdict: Absolutely Captivating!
Testing Fracture left me utterly enamored by the exceptional beauty of photographic glass prints. Their dazzling dimensions surpass any poster or paper photograph. Colors leap off the glass with mesmerizing intensity when backlit.
Beyond tantalizing aesthetics, Fracture delivers outstanding customer service. Every experience dealing with their kind team felt personalized and genuine.
Starting around $20, glass prints offer immense value compared to custom canvas enlargements. Exceptional materials and printing technology justify costs for enduring keepsakes certain to awe lucky gift recipients.
For photographing life’s brightest moments, I wholeheartedly recommend exhibiting images within Fracture’s luminous glass prints.
