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Top Tips for Framing Your Artwork
Top Tips for Framing Your Artwork
This is something I get asked a lot and while I am no expert I have done a bit of research and put together some top tips to help when it comes to getting your bespoke illustration or prints framed.
ask a professional
There is a reason that framers exist and they are the go to place for framing your artwork. I would always suggest if your budget allows to get a piece framed professionally, especially if it is an original. A local framer will be able to give you loads of options and help guide you in what would suit the artwork best. That said I appreciate this is not the option for everyone and can work out pretty expensive (on top of the artwork itself), so this blog post has a few different ideas and suggestions to suit every budget.
WHere is the picture going to hang?
So there is contradicting advice for this, some people say that best place to start is considering where the artwork will hang and the space you have available or want to fill. The alternative is to look at the artwork first and focus on finding a frame and mount to make it look good, then find a place that works within your home. I appreciate this is not necessarily helpful, but I wanted to show you that it’s fine to come at from either angle and will depend on your requirements or situation!
Always use a mount!
A mount can really elevate the artwork and without one, the piece tends to look squashed into the frame. I do tend to leave space around my pieces in the hope that they would never look ‘squashed’, but I would still always suggest using a mount and have included a couple of quick photos below to show you the difference with a really simple frame and mount.
be brave!
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different colours and sizes, some websites like Easy Frame UK allow you to play around with different options to get a feel for what might work. A mount allows you to fill more space by using a larger frame which feels more generous, small artworks especially can look really great with an oversized mount. You can also use a coloured mount, they don’t have to be white!! You can pick a colour from the piece to make the artwork really stand out, especially if having a gallery wall and want that eclectic curated feel.
go for glass
If you can always opt for a glass frame, although the plastic alternatives can look fine and are handy from a safety point of view, they can bubble or wave and really cheapen the look of the artwork. For really large pieces glass may not be practical, but if you use it where you can it will elevate your artworks.
take a Look around
If you’re not sure what you like or what might work, then have a look at what other people have done. The beauty of all these visual platforms like Pinterest and Instagram means there are people sharing inspiration everywhere. You can also have a look in shops, galleries and restaurants, anywhere that has some artwork on the wall is a great place to start to identify what you prefer, then it’s just a case of how to create that look your own home.
Create your own!
You can pick up some really lovely second hand frames from charity shops or places like Ebay and wooden ones can be painted to whatever colour or finish you like. It is often best to go for a standard size frame (like A2 or A3) and then order a mount to suit the frame and the size of your artwork, this tends to work out cheaper than getting a frame made to a non-standard size.
Where to By Your Frames
I asked on my instagram stories where people buy frames from and decided to include all of the different suggestions as well as some I came across in my research, to give you a wide range of options from both a style and price point. This also gives you a little insight into what people actually buy rather than what might be recommended… (like how we buy Ikea frames with plastic not glass, but I would always recommend using a professional framer and if not at least buying frames with real glass! Although this isn’t for originals!!)
Best 4 Frames - Online retailer with lots of options and apparently* good value and quality.
Casa Chic Boutique - A range of frames but recommended specifically as a box frame slightly better than Ikea’s.
Desinio - Online retailer with lots of options at an apparently* good price, with easy to use backs.
Easy Frame - Online retailer with lots of different options who also offer bespoke sizes for an apparently* reasonable price.
H&M - This is a poster frame and would only be suitable for certain pieces, but is a lovely and very cost effective way of displaying a print.
John Lewis - Good quality affordable options but be sure to check the sizes as the way they are worded is a bit misleading. An ‘A4’ frame is actually A3 with an A4 mount, so make sure you read the dimensions of the frame itself and the mount.
Photo Frames and Art - Small family run business based in Kent selling via Etsy with frames made to order for apparently* great value.
*I say apparently as these are words from others not my own experience, also value is perception of value so you can take a look and make your own judgement!
I do hope this has been helpful and if you have any other tips or suggestions please let me know and I can add them in. Also if you try any of the above I would love to hear your thoughts and as always I LOVE seeing my artwork framed in your homes or being given as gifts, so I would be delighted to see some photos!
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