What is the best frame color for art prints?

There is no universally best frame color, but some principles help. Black frames read as modern, graphic, and versatile. White frames feel clean and Scandinavian. Natural wood such as oak or walnut adds warmth for organic or botanical prints. Gold adds drama and suits classical or vintage work. The frame should anchor the artwork without competing with it.

Should I use a mat when framing a print?

A mat creates visual breathing room between the print and frame, helps keep the print away from the glazing, and can make the presentation feel more finished. Two to three inches is a common mat width. A wider mat can create a more spacious modern presentation. A full-bleed print can work without a mat when the artwork is designed to reach the edge.

What glass should I use for framing art prints?

Regular glass is suitable for art hung away from direct light. UV-filtering glazing provides stronger protection against fading and is useful for valuable or irreplaceable prints. Anti-reflective glass reduces distracting reflections. Acrylic is lighter and more resistant to breaking, making it practical for large formats and children's rooms.

How do I know if a frame will fit my print?

Frame sizes generally describe the opening that holds the artwork. If a print is 18 by 24 inches and you want a mat, choose a larger frame with a mat cut for the visible image area. Without a mat, the print should match the frame opening or be slightly smaller so it fits without bending.

What is a float frame?

A float frame holds the print slightly raised and floating against the backing material, with the edges of the print visible. The effect looks like the artwork is floating within the frame. Float frames work especially well for prints with intentional deckled (torn) edges, letterpress work, or canvas-textured fine art papers.

How do I hang framed art at the right height?

Use 57 to 60 inches from the floor to the center of the artwork as a starting point. Above a sofa, desk, or headboard, 6 to 8 inches between the furniture and frame often feels connected. For a gallery wall, treat the full grouping as one composition and center that arrangement.

How to Frame Art Prints: Step-by-Step Guide

Framing transforms a print from a sheet of paper into finished art. The right frame protects the work, complements the space, and makes colors read differently than they do unframed.

Start With the Exact Print Size

Measure the paper itself, not the size printed on an order confirmation. Then measure the image area and each border. A print sold as 18 by 24 inches may have an 18 by 24 inch sheet with a smaller image, or the artwork may extend to the paper edge. That difference determines whether the frame can match the sheet or needs space for a mat.

Decide Whether the Print Needs a Mat

A mat creates visual space around the image and keeps the printed surface away from the glazing. It is especially useful for works on paper with a visible border, smaller prints that need more presence, and photographs or illustrations that benefit from a clean transition to the frame. Use acid-free, archival mat board when long-term preservation matters.

A full-bleed print can be framed without a mat when the composition is meant to reach the edge. If the print touches glass or acrylic, use a spacer or another conservation method that keeps the image surface separated from the glazing.

Choose a Frame That Supports the Artwork

Black frames add a crisp graphic boundary. White frames keep the presentation light. Natural oak or maple adds warmth, while walnut introduces a darker, quieter edge. Gold can suit classical, decorative, or richly colored work. Let the frame repeat a secondary tone or the mood of the artwork instead of trying to match its loudest color.

Select Glass or Acrylic

Standard glass works for smaller pieces away from direct sun. UV-filtering glazing gives better protection against fading. Anti-reflective options help in bright rooms or opposite windows. Acrylic is lighter and more resistant to breaking, which makes it practical for large frames, children's rooms, and high-traffic spaces. The tradeoff is that acrylic scratches more easily and can attract dust through static.

Mount the Print Without Damaging It

Avoid household tape, spray adhesive, and pressure-sensitive glue on artwork you want to preserve. Reversible archival hinges or photo corners allow the paper to expand and contract without being permanently bonded to the backing. Use an acid-free backing board, and make sure the print lies flat without being pulled tight.

Assemble the Frame in Order

Clean both sides of the glazing and let them dry completely.
Place the frame face down on a protected surface.
Add the glazing, spacer or mat, mounted print, and backing board.
Secure the backing without driving fasteners into the artwork.
Attach hanging hardware rated for the finished frame's weight.
Check the front under angled light for dust before sealing the back.

Hang the Framed Print at the Right Height

A common gallery reference places the center of the artwork about 57 to 60 inches from the floor. Treat that as a starting point, then account for the people and furniture in the room. Above a sofa, console, or headboard, the bottom of the frame often works best 6 to 8 inches above the furniture. For a gallery wall, measure the full arrangement as one composition and center that group.

Protect the Print After Hanging

Keep works on paper away from direct sunlight, moisture, and strong temperature changes. Kitchens, bathrooms, and exterior walls may need extra attention to humidity. Dust the frame and glazing gently, inspect the backing once a year, and move the work if fading or condensation appears.

How to Frame Art Prints: A Practical Guide