Mpix specializes in professional-grade, high-quality photo printing, offering archival-quality papers and a wide range of products for those who want a gallery-style finish. In contrast, Mixtiles simplifies wall decor with affordable, lightweight photo tiles that stick directly to walls without nails and can be repositioned easily, prioritizing convenience and flexibility.
Let's compare everything you need to know to choose the right service for your photos.
Mpix: The Professional Photo Printing Choice
Mpix is a leading online photo lab targeted at consumers who demand professional, high-fidelity prints and photo products. Renowned for exceptional color accuracy, premium materials, and a wide array of customization options, Mpix is the go-to for turning digital photos into durable, art-quality keepsakes. They are a popular choice for photographers, artists, and anyone looking to frame and display photos with a polished, long-lasting finish.
- Product mix: Offers a vast selection including standard photo prints in various finishes, large-format prints, fine art prints, canvas wraps, metal prints, photo books, calendars, and greeting cards.
- Style/vibe: Classic, professional, and gallery-quality. The aesthetic is focused on elegant presentation suitable for framing and sophisticated home decor.
- Price point: Premium-tier pricing reflects the quality. A standard 8x10" print starts around $3.99, while larger canvas prints (16x20") begin at about $40.
- Quality: Exceptional use of professional-grade, archival-quality papers (Luster, Matte, Glossy) and high-end printing technology ensures sharp details and vibrant, accurate colors designed to resist fading.
- Customization: Extensive options with a huge range of print sizes (from 4x6" up to 40x60"), multiple paper finishes, and various framing and mounting options available directly through their site.
- Sustainability: Committed to reducing environmental impact through the use of eco-friendly papers, responsible sourcing, and sustainable printing practices.
- Delivery &, Assembly: Known for fast turnaround times. Prints are ready to be framed upon arrival, no assembly is required besides any framing you choose to do yourself or through their service.
Mpix provides archival-quality photo products with superior color and detail, making it the ideal choice for those who want to frame and permanently display their most treasured moments.
Shop Mpix: mpix.com
Mixtiles: The Effortless, Repositionable Wall Decor
Mixtiles revolutionizes wall decor by making it incredibly simple and non-permanent. Its core offering is a lightweight, foam-backed photo tile with a unique adhesive system that sticks to almost any wall and can be moved or removed without causing damage. The brand appeals to renters, families, and anyone who wants a modern, clean way to create a photo wall without the hassle and expense of traditional framing and hanging.
- Product mix: Focused primarily on its signature stickable photo tiles, which are available in several frame styles (like classic, clean, or frameless).
- Style/vibe: Modern, minimalist, and casual. The uniform size of the tiles encourages creating dynamic grid-like or eclectic gallery walls that are easy to update.
- Price point: Affordable and straightforward. Each tile typically costs around $11.99, with frequent discounts for purchasing larger quantities.
- Quality: The prints feature a smooth, matte finish on durable, lightweight foam backing. While they are a very nice way to hang photos, they do not offer the archival detail or fine-art texture of a professional lab like Mpix.
- Customization: Limited compared to Mpix. The main choices involve the frame style and color around a standardized tile size (approximately 10x10 inches).
- Shopping Experience: Extremely fast and user-friendly, optimized for mobile uploads from your phone or social media. The ordering process takes just a few clicks.
- Delivery &, Assembly: Comes ready to hang. Assembly is as simple as peeling the backing from the adhesive strips and pressing the tile onto your wall.
Mixtiles offers a stylish, damage-free, and flexible solution for creating personalized wall art that can evolve with your life and tastes.
Shop Mixtiles: mixtiles.com
Mpix vs. Mixtiles Comparison
Price Comparison
There is a clear difference in pricing models. Mpix follows a traditional à la carte model where the price is determined by size, finish, and product type. An 8x10 print might be just $3.99, but a large, framed 24x36 print could cost several hundred dollars. This offers flexibility but can become expensive for large displays.
Mixtiles uses a simple, flat-rate system where each tile is a fixed price, usually around $11.99. This makes budgeting for a large gallery wall predictable and much more affordable, as a set of eight tiles might cost under $100. For creating a multi-photo display, Mixtiles offers stronger value, for single, high-impact pieces, Mpix pricing is competitive for its quality.
Quality & Materials
Mpix is the clear winner on pure print quality. They use professional, archival-grade photo papers with incredible color depth and sharpness that will last for generations without fading if cared for properly. Their canvas and metal print options offer a premium, durable substrate for turning photos into focal art pieces.
Mixtiles is not aiming for archival quality. Their process is optimized for a clean, modern look on a unique foam tile. The print quality is excellent for what it is - vibrant and clear - but it lacks the subtle tonal range and texture of a fine-art print. The focus is on the innovative, lightweight, and stickable material, which is durable and even washable.
Style & Aesthetic
The aesthetic difference is significant. Mpix supports a traditional or classic decor style where photos are treated as formal art pieces, typically matted and framed. This suits living rooms, dining rooms, or any space where a sophisticated, permanent display is desired.
Mixtiles leans into a contemporary, casual aesthetic. Their grid-style, frameless look is perfect for modern interiors, bedrooms, hallways, and kids' rooms. The biggest advantage is flexibility - you can add to your wall over time or completely rearrange the layout in minutes, making your decor feel dynamic and personal.
Product Selection & Sizing
Mpix offers a far broader range of products and sizes. You can order everything from tiny wallet-sized prints to massive 40x60" posters, photo books, greeting cards, and more. This makes them a one-stop-shop for all things photo-related.
Mixtiles is hyper-focused on one thing: its signature photo tiles. While they offer a few different frame styles, the size is largely standardized (around 10x10 inches). This uniformity is part of their appeal, as it ensures all your tiles will fit together neatly, but it means you can't get any statement pieces in various sizes.
Durability & Installation
Installation is the main differentiator between these two brands. Mpix requires traditional hanging methods: you'll need frames, nails, hooks, and a level to get your prints on the wall. While this is a permanent solution, it's a hassle if you change your mind.
Mixtiles offers the ultimate in easy installation. You just peel off the protective backing and stick the tile to the wall. The proprietary adhesive holds securely but allows you to easily detach and reposition each tile hundreds of times without leaving residue or damaging the paint, which is ideal for renters or indecisive decorators.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both services are excellent, but they cater to very different needs and goals for your photos.
Choose Mpix if:
- You demand the highest possible photo quality with perfect color accuracy and sharpness.
- You intend to put your photos in traditional frames.
- You are a photographer printing a portfolio or an artist selling prints.
- You need a variety of print sizes, including very large formats.
Choose Mixtiles if:
- You want to create a stylish photo wall quickly, affordably, and easily.
- You are a renter and can't use nails or damage the walls.
- You love changing your room's decor and want the flexibility to rearrange your photos.
- You're looking for a fun gift that is incredibly simple for the recipient to display.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mpix or Mixtiles cheaper?
For a single print, Mpix can be cheaper for smaller sizes ($3.99 for an 8x10). However, if you're creating a gallery wall with multiple images, Mixtiles is significantly more affordable, as its pricing per tile is low and includes the built-in frame and ready-to-hang mount.
Which company has better print quality?
Mpix has objectively better, professional-grade print quality. They use archival papers and inks to produce prints with superior sharpness, color depth, and longevity, making them suitable for professional photographers and artists.
What sizes do Mixtiles come in?
Mixtiles primarily come in a standardized square size of approximately 10x10 inches to ensure a uniform and cohesive look when creating gallery walls. They recently have introduced an 8x11 rectangular version, but the vast majority of their options are 10x10.
Do Mixtiles damage walls?
No, Mixtiles are specifically designed not to damage walls. Their unique adhesive allows you to stick, remove, and restick them multiple times without leaving marks, residue, or peeling off paint.
Can you traditionally frame Mixtiles?
No, Mixtiles are not intended to be framed. The photo is printed directly onto a lightweight foam backing that comes with an integrated frame style and adhesive strips. They are an all-in-one product.
Which is better for creating a large gallery wall?
For most people, Mixtiles is better and easier for creating a large gallery wall. The process is fast, affordable, and damage-free. Arranging and rearranging them into a perfect grid is also simple due to their light weight and repositionable nature.
Is Mpix good for professional photographers?
Yes, Mpix is a highly-rated choice among professional and serious amateur photographers for its color accuracy, paper selection, and consistently high-quality results.
How long does it take to get your order?
Mpix is known for its fast turnarounds, often shipping orders within 1-2 business days. Mixtiles also ships quickly, with most orders arriving within about a week, and the flat tiles make for very efficient packaging.
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