Custom-printed murals offer a great opportunity for artists to expand their creative expression, diversify their income, and reach a broader audience. Unlike traditional framed prints, murals transform spaces, turning ordinary walls into immersive, storytelling environments.
Why They Are a Great Alternative to Painted Murals
You no longer have to be a mural artist, but you can become one overnight. This is specifically directed to the graphic designer, digital artist, or the more traditional artist, and of course, the photographer, none of whom usually paint their work on walls or sides of buildings. This is where custom-printed murals can open up a whole new opportunity.
Custom printed murals are printed on materials like peel-and-stick vinyl or traditional wallpaper that can handle sunlight, humidity, and everyday wear. Some are even removable, which is perfect for renters or commercial spaces that like to switch things up.
Printed murals also offer a fantastic alternative to hand-painting. If your style involves detailed digital illustrations or designs that would take forever to paint by hand, printing gives you a way to scale that look quickly and cost-effectively, without losing the impact.
How Murals Make a Bold Statement
Murals aren’t just large prints. They’re full-blown experiences. Whether it’s in someone’s living room, a trendy office space, or a busy café, murals can completely change the vibe of a space. You’re not just decorating a wall, you’re transforming it.
Imagine your artwork stretching floor to ceiling, wall to wall; that’s the kind of scale we’re talking about. It becomes the main attraction, not just something that hangs quietly in the background. This is your chance to go bold and let your creativity spill out in a way smaller prints just can’t match.
Murals are perfect for telling a visual story. You can go big with a dreamy abstract design, bring a nature scene to life across an entire wall, or even create something custom that works with a client’s architecture or decor. For example, a botanical mural could bring calm to a yoga studio, while a cityscape could add some edge to a loft apartment. The possibilities are endless.
Plus, murals give you the freedom to play with perspective and layout in a way that’s impossible with a standard canvas. As alluded to earlier, it can wrap artwork around corners, highlight architectural features, or use the wall’s dimensions to guide how people move through the space. It’s not just about making something beautiful; it’s about creating a mood, a moment, or even a story people can walk right into.
Who Buys Murals? More People Than You Think.
If you’re looking to grow your art business, offering your work as murals can open up a whole new world of buyers. We’re talking interior designers, homeowners, boutique shops, restaurants, offices, and even big-name companies. Murals aren’t just for the inner city anymore; they’re showing up in stylish living rooms and corporate lobbies alike.
For small businesses, murals can help tell their brand story or set the mood for customers. Think about a coffee shop that wants a cozy, artistic vibe, or a fitness studio that wants energy and movement on the walls. Your art becomes part of their identity, and that’s powerful.
Public spaces are another big opportunity. Cities and communities are always looking for creative ways to liven up schools, libraries, rec centers, and parks. And here’s the thing: not every public project has the budget (or timeline) for a hand-painted mural. A printed mural of your art offers a faster, more affordable way to make a space beautiful, without compromising on impact.
And don’t forget about the exposure. A mural in a trendy location or busy spot can become a mini billboard for your art. If it ends up in a spot people love to snap photos in (like a selfie wall or cool hallway), your work could be shared over and over online. That’s free promotion, just for showing up big.
A Real Live Example
I recall talking to the owner of a small coffee shop once tucked into a historic downtown district. They wanted the space to feel warm, coastal, and creative, a place where people could sip a latte, relax, and maybe even sketch in a notebook or catch up on a novel.
Instead of going with off-the-shelf wallpaper or generic decor, they commissioned a mural from a local artist. The result? A sweeping seascape that stretched across one wall, blending soft blues, warm sands, and subtle illustrations of birds, books, and coffee cups hidden in the waves.
Customers instantly connected with it. People started tagging the mural in their photos, and the café became known as “that place with the ocean wall.” It wasn’t just art; it became a signature part of their identity.
For the artist, it meant ongoing exposure, a strong portfolio piece, and potential future inquiries from other business owners who wanted a mural of their own.
Why Custom-Printed Murals Are Practical and Doable
One of the coolest things about offering murals? You can tailor them exactly to what your client wants. Big, small, bold, subtle, whether it’s a jungle-themed nursery, a moody abstract for a bar, or a dreamy landscape in a yoga studio, murals give you the flexibility to meet just about any creative brief.
And unlike traditional wallpaper, you’re not stuck repeating a pattern. You can use a single, one-of-a-kind design, or even adapt something you’ve already created. That’s a huge win for artists who want to repurpose their existing work for a whole new audience.
Thanks to print-on-demand companies like FinerWorks, you don’t even have to keep murals in stock or worry about printing them yourself. When you need them, they are printed on materials that look amazing, are easy to install, and ship directly to you if you do the install or your customer.
Create the Ultimate Professional Photo Background
It’s not just used as background for selfies; professional photographers will sometimes create their backdrop. I know of one portrait photographer who was looking to use a specific type of background for his clients. He could not find what he wanted in the form of pre-printed backdrops and did not want to have to use a greenscreen or Photoshop in the background.
This was before FinerWorks started offering custom-printed wall murals; however, we had some similar material on hand that was peel-and-stick. We printed what he needed, several panels of 4 by 8-inch plywood he was able to stand up. Alternatively, he could have applied it directly to the wall of his studio; however, he wanted to make these semi-portable if need be.
How Do I Order Custom-Printed Murals at FinerWorks?
Like most of our printed products, the easiest way is through POST., our Print Online Setup Tool. Important: since different wall textures can impact how well the mural adheres to the wall, we recommend ordering a small sample tile and adhering it to the wall. After a few days, if the sample is still adhering well to the wall, then you should be able to order a larger mural.
How Should I Prepare My Wall?
While the “peel-and-stick” type of media we offer is easiest to apply, a meticulously prepared surface is essential to prevent issues such as bubbling, premature peeling, and potential damage upon removal.
Firstly, a thorough assessment of the wall’s condition is critical. The peel-and-stick mural media adhere most effectively to smooth, flat surfaces. Ideal surfaces include painted drywall with an eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss finish.
Heavily textured walls, such as those with knockdown or popcorn finishes, or unpainted surfaces like brick or raw plaster, are generally unsuitable for a peel-and-stick media, as the adhesive will lack sufficient surface area for proper bonding. Under those conditions, you will want to use a more aggressive form of media that has a water-activated glue on the back, therefore, bonds more permanently.
Cleaning is the next vital step. Begin by dusting the entire wall to remove loose particles. Subsequently, wash the wall with a mild, non-abrasive household cleaner mixed with warm water to remove any dust. After washing, it is crucial to allow the wall to dry completely; any residual moisture can significantly compromise the adhesive’s effectiveness.
Lastly, for a professional finish, remove all outlet covers and light switch plates prior to installation. By adhering to these preparatory steps, you will establish an optimal foundation for your peel-and-stick wall mural, ensuring a smooth, aesthetically pleasing, and durable application.
Final Thoughts
Custom-printed murals are more than just oversized art; they’re immersive, impactful, and commercially viable. By embracing this format, artists can amplify their creative voice, reach new audiences, and participate in a growing market that values originality, scale, and visual storytelling.
Order HD Chromaluxe® Metal Prints
Print your artwork or photography as custom-size metal prints. Using the dye-sublimation process, your image is fused to the surface of rigid aluminum panels. These provide a modern look when decorating your home or office. Choose from multiple metal surface options. Order it framed, with a float wall mounting or even with a tabletop easel back.