The Ultimate Framing Guide
My guess is that most people have a closet full of unframed art that has yet to see the light of day. And friends, it's time to address it. :)
I get a ton of questions about framing, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to give you all my tips to get your artwork hung up beautifully and affordably. Let's dive in, shall we?
what to frame?
Alright, let's start with the basics here. Before even beginning to think about framing, so many are stumped by what they even want to hang on their walls. While I always love to recommend, ahem, my art prints, there are so many things, many even FREE, that could make beautiful, personal pieces of art for your home.
Take a look at this photo that a customer recently sent me. Along with my Evergreen Fog print, I see a sonogram, a handwritten note, a page from a children's book, a block print, a photograph, and a line drawing. Such an eclectic and beautiful mix of imagery that paints a picture of who lives here and what they hold dear.
Want to know what I think is most important about your artwork? That it’s personal. If you're having a hard time choosing one of my prints, I recommend choosing one of a place that you've visited before and have fond memories from. Frame your kid's artwork. A greeting card from a loved one. A special photograph. A matchbook from your favorite restaurant. A concert ticket. A meaningful quote. The opportunities are endless!
Art that means something to you will never feel stale or generic. It will bring personality, joy, and fond memories into your home, and that's what it's all about, right? It doesn't have to be expensive, it just has to reflect you.
how to frame it
Okay, now onto the nitty gritty. I'm going to break down a bunch of my different products/prints and how I'd recommend framing them. Let's do this!
greeting cards
Most people don't think about framing greeting cards, but you totally can (and should!). Mine are 5x7, so just look for a frame that fits 5x7 artwork, preferably with a large mat as pictured above, and pop it in there! Imagine a grid of 6,or 9, or 12 of these hanging together! My greeting cards are just $6 a pop, even less if you order 3 or more. This is such an affordable way to get art on your walls!
frames for 5x7 greeting cards (click on the #s below!)
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10
small & medium paper prints
I've made all of my prints standard sizes, which should make it fairly easy to find a ready-made frame and not have to pay for custom. Especially for these small-to-medium sized prints. There are a TON of options out there, and in my opinion, I recommend saving your money and just grabbing one of these ready-made frames! Here are some of my favorites.
frames for 6x12 prints
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 /
frames for 8x8 prints
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
frames for 8x10 prints
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12
frames for 11x14 prints
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12
frames for 12x12 prints
1 / 2 / 3 / 4
frames for 12x18 prints
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6
frames for 12x24 prints
1 / 2 / 3 / 4
frames for 16x16 prints
1 / 2 / 3
frames for 16x20 prints
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6
frames for 18x24 prints
1 / 2 / 3 / 4
frames for 20x20 prints
large paper prints
Here's where things get a little more tricky! It's a bit harder to find ready-made frames for these larger sizes (though I did round some up below)! But here's where you may want to consider going the custom framing route. I always love to recommend Framebridge. They do a beautiful job, and while it's a bit spendy, it's likely less than you would pay at a local shop. Michaels is another affordable custom option, and they often have big sales.
My other sneaky trick is to search for any frame that's larger in both dimensions than your artwork. Thrift stores are a great way to find some larger frames with character at a more affordable price! Take your frame and print to a frame shop and ask them to cut a mat that fits your frame with an opening that fits your print. The mat shouldn't be too expensive, and then you have something custom-ish without having to pay an arm and a leg. :)
Ready made frames for these larger sizes can be hard to find, but I've rounded up a few below. Keep in mind that any large, ready-made frame that's remotely affordable will probably come with plexi-glass instead of real glass, and will likely have some glare.
frames for 24x30 prints
1 / 2 / 3 / 4
frames for 24x36 prints
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6
frames for 30x40 prints
unstretched canvas prints
Unstretched canvas prints are probably one of the more confusing of my offerings. Why would you order your print on canvas instead of paper if the canvas is a little more pricey? Canvas is a lot more durable than paper, so if you order a frame with cheap looking “glass” that has a lot of glare, simply take out the glass and double-sided tape the unstretched canvas print to the backer that comes with the frame! One of my other favorite tricks is to hang them with one of these magnetic hanging frames.
stretched canvas prints
My stretched canvas prints are gallery-wrapped, which means that the image wraps around the edge of the canvas. So really, you don't NEED a frame for them at all! They come wired and ready to hang right up! If you're interested in a float frame to go along with your print (pictured above!), I've partnered with a local woodworker to make that happen! Head to this page on my website to see all the different wood options and prices.
and that's a wrap!
I hope this helps you get some art up on your walls. :) No more forgotten prints in the back of your closets, okay? Do it for me!
Much love & respect,
