Choosing The Right Frame - How To Frame Your New Art Prints

Choosing The Right Frame - How To Frame Your New Art Prints - Peter Yan Studio

Every picture tells a story. But there’s more to Framing a Picture than meets that eye.

When it comes to choosing a frame, here are some useful tips:

Go Big!

Many people underestimate the size of a framed image without seeing it first. If ever in doubt, the safer choice is to go bigger! A great framed print or artwork can be like a window, when you can escape and momentarily view another world. Everyone loves a bigger window. Likewise, larger-scale framed prints can also provide that window to the world!

Let it Breathe

When the edges of an image come directly up to the edge of a frame, it can almost make the artwork feel constrained or suffocating. However if you can add some intentional white space around the print, the extra distance between the art and the frame creates an aesthetically pleasing balance and proportion, allowing the viewer to view and appreciate the art comfortably. If you really want to give it a genuine ‘gallery’ look, use an acid-free mat board around the artwork instead of white space. If you’re not sure how much space, then add more! We all feel better with more space around us, and so does artwork.

Choosing the Right Frame

The right frame can make all the difference. Many people choose frame designs to match their décor, however, consider how long you want your artwork to hang on the wall. In many cases, this will be years, if not decades. If so, you may wish to choose a frame style that will be more timeless and classic, rather than something that may be more trendy but potentially date in time.

Cheap DIY Ready-Made Frames vs Custom-Made Frames

When it comes to price, we all know you get what you pay for at the end of the day. Some people say that custom framing is expensive. Keep in mind, it is a unique one-off custom-made piece, just like a tailored dress. However, if you are going to hang something on your wall and look at it every day for the next ten years or more, then it’s relatively not that expensive to get a nice custom-made frame made which is superior to a cheaper ready-made frame in every way. 

If you compare the cost of a quality custom made frame to common decorator furniture items such as curtains, bedspreads etc, then a custom frame is comparatively not that expensive. It will also likely last longer before it requires updating or replacement. 

If you only want to frame something once, then do it right the first time. A good custom framer will not only provide you with a high-quality job that will last a lifetime, they can also help you personalise and customise your design to ensure it is a unique reflection of your style. 

Keeping Things Flat

A professional custom framer will also be able to vacuum mount your image flat against the backing board, so that it doesn’t cockle or buckle over time, with changes in temperature. This is especially important for larger sized pieces such as A1. 

Create a Gallery Wall

When it comes to decorating your walls, don’t just stop at one frame. Create a grouped ‘gallery wall’ display featuring a curated collection of meaningful images and inspiration that reflect your personality and style. There are no rules to break here, so go for it – tell your story and transform your walls into your own personal gallery! 

Hanging Your Frame

A final word of advise self-adhesive hanging hooks are only as good as their adhesive or at best, the paint they’re stuck to. In many cases, these products are delayed ‘heart attacks’ waiting to happen, when gravity eventually wins. When hanging any framed artwork, where possible use at least two real, mechanical hooks to firmly and securely support the weight of the frame.

 

In conclusion, a picture frame is more than just four pieces of wood a piece of glass. When done properly, a picture frame is an essential tool to help enhance any art print, and help bring a story to life! 

 

Written by Jared Davis www.jareddavis.com.au

Jared Davis is one of only a few qualified Master Certified Picture Framers in Australia with over 30 years of custom framing experience.

Jared is published author, writer and an industry-recognised educator who teaches classes and workshops to professional picture framers all around the world.

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