Deciding between Fracture and Mixtiles comes down to material, permanence, and price. Fracture offers a premium, modern look by printing photos directly onto durable glass for a sleek, permanent display, while Mixtiles provides affordable, lightweight foam tiles with a repositionable adhesive, ideal for renters and creating versatile gallery walls without commitment.
Here's a detailed comparison to help you choose the right photo printing service for your home.
Fracture Glass Prints
Fracture transforms digital photos into high-end, frameless art printed directly onto glass. Known for stunning color vibrancy and a minimalist aesthetic, Fracture's prints offer a polished, gallery-quality appearance. Their single-panel adhesive mount creates a floating effect on the wall, making them a popular choice for statement pieces in living rooms, bedrooms, and offices.
- What it is: A service that prints your personal photos directly onto shatter-resistant glass, creating a frameless piece of wall art.
- Key features: Vivid, high-resolution printing on glass, frameless design, includes an easy-to-use wall mount, UV-cured ink for fade resistance.
- Price: Starts at $35 for an 8" x 6" portrait and goes up to $325+ for larger sizes like 29" x 38".
- Dimensions: Offers a wide range of sizes, from small 8" x 6" prints to extra-large 29" x 38" formats. Both square and rectangular options are available.
- Materials/Construction: Photos are printed with eco-friendly inks directly onto durable, polished glass with foamcore backing for support and mounting.
- Style: Sleek, modern, and minimalist. Perfect for creating a sophisticated, high-end look without the bulk of a traditional frame.
- Pros: Exceptional image quality with vibrant colors. Durable and easy to clean. The glass material provides a unique, premium look. Offers a wide variety of both small and large sizes.
- Cons: Pricier than foam tile alternatives. Prints are delicate and can break if dropped. Wall mount is a one-time stick, not designed to be repositioned.
Fracture prints are ideal for homeowners seeking a permanent, high-impact piece of art that looks and feels like it belongs in a modern gallery.
Shop this product: tryfracture.com
Mixtiles Photo Tiles
Mixtiles is known for its lightweight, rearrangeable photo tiles that make creating gallery walls simple and affordable. Their core product is a foam-backed tile with a special peel-and-stick adhesive that allows you to move your photos around without damaging walls. This versatility makes Mixtiles a favorite among apartment dwellers, families with changing photo needs, and anyone who loves to experiment with their decor.
- What it is: Lightweight 8" x 8" photo tiles with a self-adhesive backing that can be repositioned multiple times without leaving residue.
- Key features: Damage-free peel-and-stick backing. So lightweight they can be hung or removed in seconds. Uniform square size for easy grid layouts.
- Price: Around $20 per tile, with frequent discounts for purchasing in bundles (e.g., buy 10, get 10 free).
- Dimensions: Standard size is 8” x 8”, with select designs available in other shapes and sizes.
- Materials/Construction: Photo prints are mounted on a rigid, lightweight foam board with a proprietary adhesive backing.
- Style: Casual, versatile, and playful. Excellent for creating growing family gallery walls, displaying travel memories, or adding a personal touch to informal spaces like hallways, kids' rooms, or dorm rooms.
- Pros: Extremely affordable, especially in bundles. Incredibly easy to hang and rearrange. Zero damage to walls, making them perfect for renters. Simple online ordering process via app or website.
- Cons: Limited size and format options (mostly 8" x 8" squares). The foam material doesn't feel as premium as glass. Picture quality is good but not as vibrant or sharp as a glass print.
These tiles are perfect for anyone wanting a fun, affordable, and non-permanent way to display photos without the hassle of nails or commitment.
Shop this product: mixtiles.com
Fracture vs. Mixtiles Comparison
Materials & Quality
The biggest difference between Fracture and Mixtiles lies in their materials. Fracture prints directly onto glass, which results in a glossy, high-definition finish that makes colors pop. It feels substantial, durable (though not drop-proof), and premium. Cleaning is simple, just like wiping a window.
Mixtiles, on the other hand, are printed on photographic paper mounted on a lightweight foam core. The feel is much less formal and more casual. While the print quality is great for the price, it doesn't have the same depth or vibrancy as a Fracture print. The material choice emphasizes convenience and low weight over a luxurious feel.
Style & Aesthetic
If you're aiming for a sleek, contemporary, or minimalist interior, Fracture’s frameless glass prints align perfectly. They create a clean, unobstructed view of the photograph and are ideal for statement pieces that you want to stand out. The final look is sophisticated and works well in formal living spaces, an office, or as a centerpiece in a bedroom.
Mixtiles offers a more accessible and playful style. The uniform 8" x 8" squares are practically designed for building grids and gallery walls. This makes them perfect for an evolving family photo wall up a staircase, a collage of travel pictures in a hallway, or fun decor in a teen's room. Their aesthetic is informal, personal, and endlessly customizable.
Sizing & Versatility
Fracture provides far more flexibility in sizing. With options ranging from small tabletops (8" x 6") to large feature wall pieces (29” x 38”), you can choose the exact scale you need for a specific space. This makes it a better choice for finding a single piece of art to fit a specific nook or create a commanding presence over a sofa.
Mixtiles' primary offering is its classic 8” x 8” square tile. While this may seem limiting, it's their biggest strength. The consistent size allows you to build a cohesive gallery wall without worrying about spacing or alignment headaches. You simply add more tiles as your collection grows. They do offer a few other sizes and frames, but the 8x8 is their signature product.
Installation & Repositioning
This is a make-or-break difference for many shoppers. Mixtiles' selling point is its incredible ease of use. You peel the liner off the back and stick the tile to the wall. To move it, you just gently pull it off and stick it somewhere else - dozens of times, with no nails, holes, or wall damage. It is the clear winner for renters or anyone who dislikes commitment.
A Fracture print, though easy to install, is designed to be permanent. It comes with a mounting block that sticks to the wall with a strong adhesive. Once placed, it's not meant to be moved. Removing it often requires peeling the foam mount off the wall, which can damage paint. Fracture leans into its role as a permanent piece of art, not temporary decor.
Price & Value
For budget-conscious decorators, Mixtiles is the undisputed champion. A single tile is affordable, and frequent bundle deals make an entire gallery wall cheaper than one medium-sized Fracture print. You get tremendous value in terms of quantity and flexibility for your money.
Fracture is positioned as a premium product, and its price reflects that. You are paying for the high-quality glass material, superior print vibrancy, and a more durable product. The value lies in its longevity and high-end aesthetic, it's an investment in a piece of art that will look great for years.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both Fracture and Mixtiles offer excellent ways to get photos on your walls, but they are built for fundamentally different needs.
Choose Fracture if:
- You're a homeowner or have permission to use permanent wall fixtures.
- You want a single, high-impact statement piece rather than a multi-photo gallery.
- Image quality, color vibrancy, and a modern, high-end look are top priorities.
- You're looking for a gift that feels substantial and premium.
- You don't plan on rearranging your wall art frequently.
Choose Mixtiles if:
- You are a renter and cannot put nails in your walls.
- You want to build a large, affordable gallery wall that you can add to over time.
- You love to change up your decor and want the flexibility to move photos around.
- You're decorating a casual space like a family room, kids' room, or dorm.
- Your primary needs are affordability and ease of use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between Fracture and Mixtiles?
The main difference is the material and mounting system. Fracture prints your photos on polished glass for a premium, permanent display. Mixtiles mounts prints on lightweight foam tiles that stick and restick to walls without causing damage, designed for versatility and affordability.
Which one is better for renters?
Mixtiles is significantly better for renters. The key feature is their damage-free, repositionable adhesive that leaves no marks or residue, which is perfect for temporary living situations where nails or strong permanent adhesives are not allowed.
Are Fracture prints repositionable like Mixtiles?
No, Fracture prints are not designed to be repositioned. They use a strong adhesive wall mount that, once stuck, is meant to be permanent. Removing it will likely damage your wall's paint and requires a new mount to be re-hung.
What are the size options for each brand?
Fracture offers a wide range of standard and custom sizes, from small 8" x 6" glass prints up to massive 29" x 38" statement pieces. In contrast, Mixtiles primarily offers their signature 8” x 8” square tiles, focusing on uniformity for easy gallery wall creation.
Do Mixtiles really not damage walls?
Yes, Mixtiles are designed specifically to be wall-safe. Their proprietary adhesive is strong enough to hold the lightweight tile but gentle enough to be removed without peeling paint or leaving sticky residue behind. It's one of their main customer benefits.
Which brand offers better picture quality?
Fracture generally offers superior picture quality. Printing on glass creates a depth, vibrancy, and sharpness that is hard to match with a print on foam board. Fracture prints have a professional, gallery-like appearance.
Which is a better value for creating a large gallery wall?
For a large gallery wall, Mixtiles offers a much better value. Because of their lower per-tile cost and frequent bulk-purchase discounts (like "buy 10, get 10 free"), you can cover a large area with dozens of photos for a fraction of the cost of multiple Fracture prints.
How do you clean Fracture and Mixtiles prints?
You can clean a Fracture print with standard glass cleaner and a soft cloth, just like a window. Mixtiles are more delicate, you should only use a dry, soft cloth to gently dust the surface to avoid damaging the photo print.
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