There’s no doubt that these days, travel photos are the best souvenirs. A physical reminder of your trip, but, unlike the trinkets you buy from a busy tourist area, photos are cheap, last forever, and you can share them as freely as you want to.

Also, you can take thousands of photos every day if you’re so inclined, and they don’t take up any extra space in your luggage. It’s the best case scenario!

But are they actually a physical reminder? They used to be – back in the days before digital photography where you would get home, have them developed, and but them proudly into an album (granted, back then you wouldn’t be taking thousands!).

But these days we often get home, share them on our socials, and then store them away to be forgotten on a harddrive. Which is a shame. Because why would you want your memories of your most epic adventures to fade away?!

The great thing about photos these days is that they’re so versatile, and you can print them for use in so many ways. So, if you want to start displaying your travel photos, consider some of these ideas so you can actually see them everyday!

Creative Ideas for Printing and Displaying Your Travel Photos

Printing Photos on Canvas

Printing photos on canvas is one of the most popular ways to display your travel photos. Canvas prints are beautiful, modern, and come in a variety of different shapes and sizes.

This is very much the way that museums and galleries display their prints; canvas has a 3D appearance which looks incredibly professional, and makes your photos really stand out as a feature piece (as opposed to just being a flat image).

You don’t get any glare or reflections on canvas prints, so even in rooms full of light they look exactly the way you intended (they come with a satin-matte finish), and they are printed with UV-protected latex inks, so won’t get sun damage.

Durability is another reason why most people go for canvas prints; they are made from sturdy materials that really last, and you can hang it for years without losing any of the photo quality.

Canvas prints are easy to order online – you typically just have to choose your size, import your photos into an online tool, select the frames and other customizing options, and then wait for it to arrive.

It’s that easy! If you want to get really fancy you can split your image across several canvases for even more dramatic effect, and turn your whole wall into a creative display of a multi panel split canvas print.

Photo Collage Prints

Most of us these days get home having taken thousands of photos, so I don’t blame you if you find it too hard to narrow down your shots to just one favorite.

In that case though, why not consider doing a photo collage canvas instead of a singular canvas print? A canvas photo collage means you can choose a combo of your favorite photos and design them to display on the same canvas.

Sites like CanvasChamp.com have great online software which allows you to drag and drop your favorite pictures, or auto shuffle so you can create beautiful collages before ordering.

Not a design expert? You can upload up to 36 pictures at once, and experiment with templates that have already been created for you. That way, you don’t have to make the difficult decision of which photo is ‘the one’!

Engrave Plaques

For something truly different, why not have your photos engraved instead of traditionally printed?! Personalized engraved wooden plaques are a really unique way to display your photos, and are great if you’re aiming for something retro.

Your photo gets laser engraved onto the surface, though can also be done onto marble or granite as well. Like canvas prints you can choose the size you want, and the layout – you upload your image, choose if you want any text, and place the order.

Wood, Metal & Acrylic Prints

If you’re looking for something a bit more unique than a canvas print (as I said, everybody’s doing them!), you can print your photos on a variety of other materials, including wood, metal and acrylic.

With wood printing, your photos go straight onto the wood surface, and you can choose from a wide range of options for your finish. When hung, this type of print looks highly luxurious and artistic.

With metal prints, you guessed it – your photos are printed on a metal surface. This option looks very sleek and contemporary, and it’s a lot more durable than other type of prints – metal prints are usually waterproof and resistant to stains and scratches.

In fact, the process of printing on ChromaLuxe aluminium often creates a better photo than your original, really highlighting true, rich, vibrant colors, and giving it a lot more depth, sharper contrast, and a deeper color saturation than other prints.

Acrylic prints are great for a WOW factor, and is a very modern take on art; this is a high resolution color print that adds a 3D effect to your image, printed as a mirror image directly on the back of a sheet of plexiglass.

Print onto Household Items

The point of printing your travel photos is so that you remember your moments and memories every chance you get, but there’s only so much wall space for canvas prints. So get creative!

There are so many things you can print travel photos on these days, from coffee mugs to calendars, pillow cases, and even woven blankets!

And, not only do these types of prints make for excellent use in your own house, they also make for excellent gifts. If you’re stealthy and can source some of your loved one’s favorite photos, why not personalize one of the above ideas for them.

Peel & Stick Stickers

It’s become a trendy way to decorate your walls, with peel and stick stickers. You can have your travel photos turned into posters, wall stickers, and it’s true wall art without having to do the painting!

This type of art looks like a street art mural, but the great thing about this approach over actually drawing on your walls is that if you aren’t happy with the spacing, or want to move it to another position, you can peel them off and reapply them without loss of stick.

Unlike hanging an actual canvas or framed photo, you’re also not limited to your walls with peel & stick prints; you can put them on your windows, ceilings, bed headboards, mirrors, on your car even – you’re only limited by your imagination!

Your travel photos deserve to be displayed in full view where you can appreciate them everyday. Don’t leave them sitting on your harddrive to fade away!

Megan is an Australian Journalist and award-winning travel writer who has been blogging since 2007. Her husband Mike is the American naturalist and wildlife photographer behind Waking Up Wild; an online magazine dedicated to opening your eyes to the wonders of the wild & natural world.

Having visited 50+ countries across all seven continents, Megan’s travels focus on cultural immersion, authentic discovery and incredible journeys. She has a strong passion for ecotourism, and aims to promote responsible travel experiences.