Find Your Perfect Art Panel: Compare Artefex Panels Surfaces

With 22+ surface options and multiple core technologies, choosing the right foundation can feel overwhelming. At Artefex, we believe your focus should be on your art, not on deciphering technical jargon. This comparison guide is designed to help you identify the specific panel that matches your medium, scale, and artistic intent. Whether you are a professional muralist or a plein air enthusiast, use this blueprint to find the "Artefex Advantage" that secures your creative legacy.

Compare by Medium: Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, and Mixed Media

Every medium interacts differently with the substrate. Selecting a surface that provides the correct "mechanical bond" is the first step in avoiding the "Villain" of delamination and paint fatigue.

• For Oil Painters (Traditional & Professional):
  • The Lead-Primed Series (Allinpanel/Oleopanel): The gold standard for archival oil painting. These offer a unique "pull" and legendary adhesion.
  • Titanium Oil-Primed: A modern, brilliant white alternative for maximum luminosity.
• For Acrylic & Mixed Media Artists:
  • Acrylic-Primed Cotton & Linen: Versatile, multi-purpose surfaces that handle heavy water, resin, and impasto layers without sagging or warping.
• For Watercolor & Drawing:
  • Chartapanel Series: Genuine Arches and Strathmore papers mounted to our rigid ACM core, eliminating the need for stretching or glass framing.
• For Specialty Techniques:
  • Natural Copper & Tempanel: Inert, non-porous surfaces for masters seeking specialized handling and historical effects.

Choosing Your Core: 3mm ACM vs. 6mm Honeycomb

The core of your panel determines its structural success, especially as you increase in scale.

• 3mm Aluminum Composite (ACM): Best for portability, plein air, and works up to 24" x 30". It fits standard frames and provides a slim, lightweight, but 100% warp-resistant foundation.
• 6mm Honeycomb Alinpanel: Best for monumental works up to 5’ x 10’. This aerospace technology offers maximum rigidity with a 60% reduction in weight, making large-scale installation and shipping effortless.
• 1.5" Gallery Panel: Best for contemporary presentation. This provides the prestigious look of a deep-wrapped canvas with the indestructible stability of a rigid aluminum surface.

The Technical Advantage: Why Archival Materials Matter

Many artists settle for wood-core products from competitors like Raymar or Ampersand, only to face warping and acidic degradation years later. The "Artefex Advantage" is built into every layer of our comparison chart:

• pH-Neutral BEVA Glue: Unlike acidic industrial adhesives, our bonding agent is museum-approved and remains chemically inert.
• Non-Hygroscopic Cores: Our aluminum doesn't "breathe," meaning it won't expand or contract with humidity—protecting your paint film from cracking.
• ISO-Standard Precision: Every panel is precision-cut and deburred, reducing your studio labor and ensuring a gallery-ready finish.

Which panel is most like traditional stretched canvas?

If you love the texture of canvas but hate the sagging, our Alcotpanel (Cotton) or Allinpanel (Linen) series are your best options. When mounted on our 1.5" Gallery Panel frame, they provide the exact aesthetic of a stretched canvas but with a rigid, permanent support that will never need restretching.

Can I order a custom size of any panel listed?

Yes. Every surface and core type in our comparison chart can be processed through the Artefex Custom Panel Builder. This "Friction-Reducing" service allows you to specify your dimensions to the fraction of an inch, ensuring you never have to compromise your vision for standard retail sizes.

How do I know if I need a Lead-Primed or Titanium surface?

This choice depends on your desired "Dream Outcome." Lead-primed surfaces (like our 531-533 series) offer a unique chemical bond with oil paint that has been trusted for centuries. Titanium-primed surfaces (like our 536-538 series) are non-toxic and offer a brighter, more modern white for artists who want their colors to "pop" with maximum saturation. Both are mounted on our warp-resistant ACM core for total archival security.