Let's talk framing. I have to be honest, generally framing isn't my favourite topic. I tend to be more interested in the making of the art and not the presentation side of things! This is why I can understand when collectors find the prospect of framing a bit overwhelming. It's also why I decided to take a little time and put together a framing guide for your convenience!
First, A Little About My Prints
My prints are made to order by a lovely local small business framer. They are giclée, fine art prints, on 100% cotton paper or canvas. I offer a selection of standard sizes but can also accomodate custom sizing, crops, colour tweaks and more at no additional cost - all you need to do is ask! My paper prints come with a 1/2" white border around the edge to make them easy to frame without losing any of the image. My canvas prints include a 'mirrored edge' which allows the print to be stretched over a frame so that the image of the print appears to wrap around the sides. Stretched canvas prints are ideal for those who aren't interested in dealing with framing because they arrive wired and ready to hang, making framing completely optional! Paper prints, however, require some sort of frame in order to be displayed. Let's dig into options!
First, consider your frame budget. Your budget has a big influence on the choices you make when framing a print. Often, when a collector invests in a piece of original art, they are likely to also want to invest in professional, custom framework. This may not be the case with prints. My giclée prints are high quality and made with archival, fine art materials, but they are also affordable! This makes them a great option for the art enthusiast who is saving up to collect an original sometime in the future or maybe simply someone on a budget (I can relate.) Here I've listed three different options for framing prints, from priciest to thriftiest:
Custom, Professional Framework $$$
There are advantages to using the services of a professional framer. A professional has the tools, skills and knowledge to provide you with a beautiful high quality product that will ensure the longevity of your print. They also have a wide variety of frames and mats available so you can choose just the right custom look to match your decor style. Custom framework can be costly but it can also be worth it to get exactly what you want in a one-stop shop. It's great to return again and again, developing a trusting relationship with a framer while at the same time feeling good about supporting a local small business. Not least of all, a beautiful frame job can really elevate and showcase that piece of art you fell in love with!
If you plan to solicit the services of a professional framer, you will need to bring three things to your consultation: the art you wish to frame, a vague idea of the kind of frame you want, and an idea of your budget. If you want your frame job to match another existing frame, consider bringing that in to the shop with you so that you can look at it next to the options that your framer offers.
Hot tip: If you know you will want your print professionally framed, you can provide your framer's address with the shipping information at checkout and I can ship your order directly to the frame shop.
Standard Sized, Pre-Matted Frames $$
These types of frames can be purchased off the shelf or online from a variety of houseware, crafting or department stores and can be a good alternative to professional framework if you want something easy and are willing to insert the art yourself. There are a wide variety of styles and price points available if you shop around. They're also very easy to use - just peel off the plastic packaging, remove the backing, and mount the new print into the frame with a bit of removable scotch tape or framer's tape. Give the glass a little polish and you're ready to hang it on the wall! You can even find multiple sizes of the same frame, making it easy if you want matching framing for multiple prints.
Reusing Old Frames - For The Thrifty Art Enthusiast! $
If you're on a budget there is nothing better than reusing something you already have! Thrift shopping for prints can also be a fun adventure if you're into that sort of thing (and I know some of you are.) You'll want to look for a frame with solid joints, glass in good condition, and a sturdy backing, ready to hang or display in your chosen location. I recommend also giving it a sniff to check for smoke residue, as that could negatively effect the longevity of your print. If you're crafty, you can remove glass and backing and then spray paint old frames for a fresh finish. To put the cherry on top of your fabulous thrifty frame job, add a fresh mat. You can find pre-cut mats in stores like the ones mentioned above, purchase a custom cut mat from my website shop, or take your frame and artwork to your local framer and have one cut. You'll want something acid free to prevent discolouration of your print. I always recommend white mats to provide a simple, bright finish to your display, but mats are available in many colours, so get creative if you like!
Hopefully these suggestions give you some idea of how to get started with framing your print. Of course there are more decisions to be made than just how much to spend on a frame. As far as style goes, that really depends on your personal taste. If you prefer a clean, minimalist look, you may prefer to use a simple white or natural wood frame with a white mat. Perhaps, however, you have a specific design aesthetic, in which case, you probably already have a good idea of what you're looking for. If you're like me, you want something nice, but above all, something that is easy and fits the budget. On that note, here are some quick links for frames I found on the interwebs! Happy framing :-)
These floating gallery frames from Pottery Barn come in four different colours and three sizes. They have a minimalist and modern look. Note that these frames do not use a mat and instead the print is mounted behind clear acrylic. You can allow the colour of the wall to shine through the frame or even add a paper for fabric backing in the colour of your choice.
Shop these Pottery Barn frames here.
IKEA has a great selection of beautiful and affordable frames in a variety of styles and sizes. This RÖDALM frame from IKEA comes with a white mat and is available in six different sizes.
Shop IKEA frames here.
These metalic frames by Tones Frame Design available at Wayfair have a classy, modern look and feature tempered glass and a reverse bevel mat, meaning that the core of the mat can not be seen from the front. They're available in three different finishes!
Shop these metalic frames here.
Haus And Hues frames, available on Amazon come in a ton of different sizes and finishes and come with plexiglass inserts and easy to use hanging hardware. The plexiglass makes these frames very lightweight, so they are great choice if you are wanting to avoid putting holes in the wall by using command strips to hang your art. These frames don't allow enough space to add a custom cut mat, so I wouldn't recommend them if a mat is part of your plan. If you'd prefer a wider white border aound your print as an alternative to a mat, reach out and we'll arrange a custom sized border that's just right for your frame! Shop these frames here.