At Home Framing Advice
Framing your artwork is one of the best ways to showcase it while protecting it for years to come. Whether you’re framing a personal collection or preparing pieces for an exhibition, it can feel overwhelming to balance cost, aesthetics, and preservation. Luckily, there are options for every budget!
Here’s my guide to affordable framing, my favorite place to source frames, and why acid-free materials are essential.
Affordable Framing Options
If you’re looking for quick and budget-friendly options, places like Target, Michaels offer surprisingly stylish frames for under $35. These work great for standard-sized prints and are perfect for short-term use or displays in less bright spaces. However, be aware that inexpensive frames often include acidic materials in the backing or frame itself, which can cause yellowing over time. To avoid this, consider adding acid-free mats and backing boards as a protective layer.
So you can get affordable frames, but just remember to prioritize preservation by pairing these frames with archival-quality materials.
Why Acid-Free Mats Matter
Acid-free mats and backing boards are essential for maintaining the longevity of your artwork. Regular mats can leach chemicals onto the paper or print, causing discoloration and brittleness. If your art holds sentimental or financial value, invest in acid-free materials. Think of it as an insurance policy for your piece, ensuring it remains vibrant and intact for decades.
Custom Framing for the Win
For a polished, gallery-worthy look, custom frames are unbeatable. I often recommend WebPictureFrames.com. I know the name is cheesy, but these cuties are actually local to Eugene, Oregon. They offer high-quality, natural wood frames at wholesale prices, and you assemble them yourself, saving on costs. Their maple and cherry frames are my personal favorites, and their tool for visualizing your frame against the artwork makes choosing more a breeze. You can even order mats in custom sizes to fit your vision perfectly.
Pro Tip: If you’re ordering mats, make the bottom border 1/4 inch larger than the others. This technique accounts for “visual gravity,” making the mat look more balanced.
If you have any questions you can always give them a call, they've helped me countless times when I'm in a pinch, are so sweet and communicative, and always give me a beautiful frame shipped quickly. I love them.
UV Glass
If you're going custom or have a little more to spend, UV glass or plexi is a game-changer for preserving artwork. UV glass has a specialized coating that filters harmful ultraviolet light, protecting your art from fading and discoloration caused by sunlight. Even if your artwork is in a room without direct sunlight, ambient UV exposure can cause gradual damage over time.
Artworks with a lot of reds, or those printed on less durable paper, are particularly susceptible to UV damage. With UV glass, you’re not only preventing fading but also preserving the integrity of the paper itself, which might otherwise become brittle. If you’re serious about protecting a special or valuable piece, UV glass is worth the investment—it allows you to hang your art in any space with confidence that it’s safe
It is a little spendier, so I only have it on my prints that are hanging in sunnier rooms. This is more like a special perk but dont get hung up on it.
Bringing It All Together
When deciding how to frame your art, it’s about balancing budget, aesthetics, and preservation. For maximum quality on a budget, consider mixing and matching: use custom frames for standout pieces and affordable frames for less permanent setups, pairing the latter with acid-free mats and backing boards.
For valuable pieces or those in bright spaces, UV glass is the gold standard. It might be an added cost, but the peace of mind it brings is priceless. I would mainly use this on originals ◡̈
With these tips, your art can be beautifully displayed and protected. I hope you found this helpful. If you have any questions feel free to email me and I'll try to help.
