The Mixtiles Bold and Edge styles offer two distinct ways to display your photos, but their chief difference lies in their physical presence and aesthetic. The Mixtiles Bold tile is a thick, 2-inch deep photo block with a gallery-wrap finish where the image extends around the sides, creating a substantial 3D effect. In contrast, the Mixtiles Edge features a sleek, thin 0.5-inch deep frame that provides a clean, modern border around your picture.
Here’s a detailed look at both styles to help you decide which is the perfect fit for your home.
Mixtiles Bold
The Mixtiles Bold is designed to make a statement. Its thick, block-like construction gives photos a significant presence, making them literally stand out from the wall. The unique gallery-wrap style, where the image seamlessly covers the sides of the tile, adds depth and artistry, creating a frameless yet dimensional look favored in contemporary galleries.
- What it is: A thick, lightweight photo tile with the image printed seamlessly around its deep edges.
- Key features: Substantial 2-inch depth for a floating, 3D effect, frameless gallery-wrap design.
- Price: Typically around $15 for the first tile and $12 for each additional tile (prices may vary).
- Dimensions: Most commonly found in 8x8", 8x10", and 12x12" sizes, all with a 2-inch thickness.
- Style: Modern, chunky, and artistic. Perfect for eclectic, contemporary, or minimalist decor where the photo itself is the focal point.
- Pros: Creates a powerful visual impact. Unique photo-wrap look is artistic and modern. The deep profile casts interesting shadows. Feels substantial and high-end.
- Cons: The gallery wrap slightly crops the outer perimeter of your photo onto the sides. Its chunky profile can feel bulky in very small spaces. The top surface can collect dust more easily than thinner options.
The Bold style is for those who want their photos to be touchable, three-dimensional art pieces with a modern gallery feel.
Shop this product: mixtiles.com
Mixtiles Edge
The Mixtiles Edge offers a more traditional and refined approach to wall art. It features a crisp, thin frame that neatly contains the photo, providing a clean visual line and a polished finish. Its slim profile is less obtrusive than the Bold, focusing on a classic, gallery-wall aesthetic where photos are presented neatly in matching frames.
- What it is: A lightweight photo tile featuring a thin, modern frame in black or white.
- Key features: Sleek 0.5-inch depth for a low-profile look, clean, sharp border around the image.
- Price: Typically around $15 for the first tile and $12 for each additional tile (prices may vary).
- Dimensions: Available in the same popular sizes as the Bold, with a uniform depth of 0.5 inches.
- Style: Minimalist, sleek, and classic. Complements Scandinavian, traditional, and transitional decor styles perfectly.
- Pros: Highly versatile and timeless look. Thin frame provides a polished finish without overpowering the photo. Protects the edges of the print. Easy to align for creating large, clean grid layouts.
- Cons: A more subtle and less "wow-factor" look than the Bold style. The frame, though thin, creates a formal border that may not suit every artistic photo.
Edge is ideal for creating an elegant, cohesive gallery wall with a refined and minimalist feel that never goes out of style.
Shop this product: mixtiles.com
Mixtiles Bold vs. Edge Comparison
Dimensions & Profile
The most significant difference between the two styles is the depth. The Mixtiles Bold has a hefty 2-inch profile that makes it float off the wall, creating depth and shadow. It demands attention and has real physical presence, making it look impressive even from the side.
The Mixtiles Edge is much sleeker, with a depth of just 0.5 inches. This thin profile sits closer to the wall for an understated, integrated look. When viewed from an angle, the Edge is discreet, keeping the focus entirely on the front-facing image.
Style & Aesthetic
Both styles are modern, but they serve different aesthetics. The Bold is chunky, artistic, and contemporary. Its gallery-wrap design puts 100% of the focus on the image itself, turning it into a sculptural object. It works well either as a single statement piece or in a curated group where each photo block stands out.
The Edge is all about clean lines and subtle refinement. The slim black or white frame provides a crisp border, giving it a classic photo-frame appeal that works beautifully for creating large, orderly grid walls. Its look is more aligned with Scandinavian or minimalist design, where simplicity and consistency are key.
Photo Presentation
How your photo is presented varies greatly between the two. With the Bold style, the outermost part of your picture is wrapped around the thick sides. This is a beautiful effect but requires you to be mindful of your photo's composition - ensure no key elements are right at the edge. The Edge tile does not crop your image, the thin frame sits on top of the border, neatly containing the full picture on the front surface.
Price & Value
Interestingly, Mixtiles prices both the Bold and Edge styles identically. This means the decision comes down entirely to personal preference rather than budget. The "value" in this case is purely aesthetic. Do you value a thick, statement-making art block, or do you prefer the sleek, timeless simplicity of a thin frame? Both options use the same hassle-free hanging mechanism and high-quality printing, ensuring good value either way.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both styles are excellent choices from Mixtiles, but they cater to very different decorative tastes.
Choose Mixtiles Bold if:
- You want your photos to look like substantial pieces of art that "pop" off the wall.
- You love a contemporary style that makes a statement.
- The side view is important, and you like the look of a seamless, image-wrapped edge.
- You're displaying just a few key photos and want each one to have a major impact.
Choose Mixtiles Edge if:
- You prefer the clean, polished look of a traditional gallery wall.
- A sleek and minimalist aesthetic is your goal.
- You're creating a large grid layout and want crisp lines between photos.
- You want a timeless frame that neatly contains your image without cropping it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between Mixtiles Bold and Edge?
The primary difference is the profile and finish. The Mixtiles Bold is a thick 2-inch block with the photo wrapped around the sides for a frameless 3D look. The Mixtiles Edge is a thin 0.5-inch tile with a classic black or white frame around the image.
Which Mixtiles style is better for a large gallery wall?
While both work, the Edge style is often preferred for large, symmetrical grids. Its thin, consistent frame creates uniform spacing and a very cohesive, professional look. The Bold style can also be used in a grid, but the result is a much chunkier, more dramatic statement wall.
Do pictures get cropped on the Bold style?
Yes, slightly. Because the image wraps around the 2-inch sides of the tile, the outer edge of your photo will not be visible from the front. Be sure to check the preview on the Mixtiles website before ordering to ensure important details are not on the wrap-around portion.
Which style is heavier?
The Bold tile is slightly heavier and bulkier due to its increased depth and material, but both styles are designed to be lightweight. They both use the same powerful-yet-damage-free adhesive strip for hanging, so weight is not a functional issue for either style.
Can you mix Mixtiles Bold and Edge in one display?
It's possible, but generally not recommended for a cohesive look. The stark 1.5-inch difference in depth between the two styles would be very apparent and might look disjointed. It's best to stick with one style for a single wall arrangement.
Is one style more durable than the other?
Both are made from high-quality, durable materials designed to last. However, the hard frame on the Edge might offer slightly better protection against bumps and dings on the corners compared to the wrapped photo corners of the Bold style.
Is there a price difference between Bold and Edge tiles?
No, Mixtiles currently offers both the Bold and Edge styles at the same price point, so your choice can be based purely on your personal style preferences.
How do you clean them?
For both styles, a light dusting with a dry, soft cloth is all that's needed. Avoid using water or any chemical cleaners, as this could damage the photo print.
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