The main difference between Storyboards and Mixtiles lies in their mounting systems and intended design aesthetic. Storyboards uses an innovative magnetic system for a premium, gallery-inspired look that's easy to rearrange, whereas Mixtiles uses a simple peel-and-stick adhesive that makes creating casual photo collages affordable and damage-free. In short, Storyboards offers more customization and a high-end feel, while Mixtiles focuses on simplicity, affordability, and convenience.
Here’s a detailed look at both options to help you decide which brand is right for your walls.
Storyboards
Storyboards is a photo display brand focused on customizable, modular wall art with a sleek, modern look. The brand is known for its magnetic frames and panels that allow users to create sophisticated, gallery-style layouts with minimal effort. This system makes it simple to swap or update photos without removing anything from the wall, appealing to those who want a polished yet flexible display.
- What it is: A magnetic, modular photo display system designed for creating custom wall art arrangements.
- Key features: Magnetic mounting system, no nails required for individual photos, easy to rearrange or add new panels, high-quality printing.
- Price: Mid-range, with small sets starting around $50 and larger configurations costing $200 or more.
- Style: Modern, gallery-inspired, and minimalist. They offer clean lines that give your photos a professional, curated appearance.
- Materials/Construction: The system features sturdy magnetic panels with vibrant, high-resolution printing, often with a semi-gloss or matte finish.
- Pros: Highly customizable layouts, premium and high-end aesthetic, extremely easy to update photos by swapping magnetic panels, feels more substantial than adhesive tiles.
- Cons: A higher price point compared to simple stick-on tiles, the initial setup of the magnetic base can be more involved, less focus on a simple, uniform collage look.
Storyboards is best for those creating a focal art piece who value a durable, premium look and the flexibility to swap photos within an established grid.
Shop this brand: storyboards.com
Mixtiles
Mixtiles is a widely popular brand famous for its lightweight, repositionable photo tiles. The core product is a simple system: your photos are printed on tiles that stick directly to the wall with a special adhesive, which can be removed and repositioned dozens of times without leaving marks. This makes Mixtiles an incredibly popular choice for renters, dorm rooms, and anyone looking for a quick and damage-free way to decorate.
- What it is: Peel-and-stick photo tiles that are easy to mount and rearrange on any wall.
- Key features: Damage-free proprietary adhesive, lightweight design, simple online ordering process, fast shipping, easily repositionable.
- Price: Very affordable, costing around $99 for a set of nine photo tiles with options to buy more or fewer.
- Style: Casual, contemporary, and cohesive. The uniform tile size creates clean, modern collages.
- Materials/Construction: Photos are printed on high-quality paper with a matte finish and mounted on lightweight, rigid tiles with a peel-and-stick TESA adhesive backing.
- Pros: Incredibly easy to install and move, guaranteed not to damage walls, very budget-friendly, effortless online ordering, perfect for creating grid-style gallery walls quickly.
- Cons: Less customizable in terms of sizing and layouts, the aesthetic is more casual and may not feel as premium as framed options, standard sizes limit creative arrangements.
Mixtiles is the perfect choice for renters, families, or anyone wanting a fast, affordable, and completely worry-free way to build a wall collage.
Shop this brand: mixtiles.com
Storyboards vs. Mixtiles Comparison
Installation & Flexibility
This is the most significant difference between the two brands. Mixtiles offers ultimate simplicity: you peel the backing and stick the tile directly onto the wall. Their adhesive is strong enough to hold securely but gentle enough to be repositioned multiple times without damaging paint or plaster. This makes them ideal for temporary living situations or for people who like to change their decor frequently.
Storyboards uses a two-part magnetic system. You install a mounting base, and the photo panels click into place with magnets. While the initial base setup takes a bit more effort, swapping the individual photos is incredibly easy. This system is better for someone who has a dedicated gallery wall layout and wants to update the images within that structure (e.g., swapping out new family photos seasonally).
Style & Aesthetic
An arrangement from Storyboards provides a more formal, gallery-like appearance. The clean lines, magnetic attachments, and structured layouts give the feel of a professionally curated art display. It's a great choice for a primary living area, dining room, or home office where you want a more polished look.
Mixtiles creates a more casual, fun, and contemporary photo collage. The simple, uniform squares or rectangles lend themselves to grid layouts that are clean and modern. Because of their ease and affordability, they are perfect for hallways, kids' rooms, or creating a large photo wall without a significant investment.
Quality & Materials
Both brands use high-quality printing technology that produces sharp images with vibrant colors. The key difference is in the construction of the tiles. Storyboards products feel more substantial, using sturdy panels and a robust magnetic system that gives them more visual and physical weight.
Mixtiles are intentionally lightweight to ensure the adhesive can support them and that they can be easily moved. They are made from a rigid, thick tile with a matte finish that helps reduce glare and fingerprints, but they don't have the same premium heft as Storyboards' panels.
Price & Value
Mixtiles is the clear winner on price. Their straightforward model - often promoting bundles like nine tiles for $99 - makes them incredibly accessible for almost any budget. It's an excellent value for creating a large and impactful photo display in minutes.
Storyboards positions itself as a more premium product, and its pricing reflects that. A starter set is more affordable, but creating a larger, more complex display can cost $200 or more. The value comes from the product's durability, customizability, and the high-end look it achieves.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both Storyboards and Mixtiles offer excellent, innovative ways to get photos on your walls, but they are built for different people with different priorities.
Choose Storyboards if:
- You want a premium, gallery-quality look for a living room or primary space.
- You want more customization options in terms of layout and design.
- You plan to update the photos frequently within a permanent art display.
- Investing in durable, substantial-feeling wall art is a priority for you.
Choose Mixtiles if:
- You are renting your home or absolutely cannot risk damaging your walls.
- You need a fast, simple, and affordable way to decorate a room.
- You are creating a gift or decorating a more casual space like a hallway or family room.
- You love a clean, uniform grid collage look and value convenience above all else.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between Storyboards and Mixtiles?
The core difference is the mounting system. Storyboards uses magnets on a fixed base, which is great for swapping photos easily within a layout. Mixtiles uses a repositionable adhesive, allowing you to move the entire tile anywhere on the wall without damage.
Which brand is better for renters?
Mixtiles is undeniably better for renters. Their entire brand promise is built around their damage-free, peel-and-stick adhesive that won't strip paint or leave holes in walls, making them perfect for temporary homes.
Can you reposition both Storyboards and Mixtiles?
Yes, but in different ways. With Mixtiles, you can move the entire tile to a new spot on the wall. With Storyboards, you reposition the magnetic photo panels on their installed base, making it easy to change the order or update your pictures.
Which is more expensive?
Storyboards is generally more expensive. Its custom options and premium materials place it in a higher price bracket, whereas Mixtiles is known for its affordability and value-focused bundles.
Do Storyboards or Mixtiles damage walls?
Mixtiles are guaranteed to be damage-free. The adhesive is specifically designed for repeated removal and reapplication. The Storyboards system is also low-impact but requires installing a base mount first, making Mixtiles the safer choice for sensitive walls.
How is the print quality for each brand?
Both brands offer excellent, high-resolution print quality with vibrant colors. The main difference is the finish. Mixtiles typically have a standard matte finish that minimizes glare, while Storyboards may offer semi-gloss or other finishes for a more gallery-like sheen.
Which offers more customization options?
Storyboards offers significantly more customization. You can often choose from various sizes, panel designs, and complex layouts to create a bespoke art piece that fits your space perfectly.
How long does shipping take?
Mixtiles is known for very quick turnaround and shipping, with most orders arriving within a week. Storyboards, being a more custom product, typically has a slightly longer delivery window of one to two weeks.
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