Framing Guide
Framing Guide
Perfect your print
01
What did you order?
Canvas and paper prints are finished differently. Start here and the right path will open up below.
02
Framing a canvas print
Canvas is usually stretched over wooden bars. This is called a "gallery wrap." Once stretched, it doesn't need glass, acrylic, or a mat; the canvas edge itself can be the finished look, or you can add a floater frame around it for a more formal feel.
Your print size:
Stretching it yourself
All you need is a set of stretcher bars cut to size, canvas pliers, and a staple gun.
≈ $45–70 in suppliesAdding a floater frame
A raw-edge "floater" frame clips onto the stretched canvas and lets a small gap of canvas edge show, for a clean, gallery finish without covering any of the paint.
≈ $70–120 per frame kit- Assemble the stretcher bars into a square frame and check the corners are true.
- Lay the canvas face-down and center the frame on top.
- Staple the center of each side first, top, bottom, left, right, pulling gently taut as you go.
- Work outward from each center staple toward the corners, alternating sides to keep tension even.
- Fold and staple the corners neatly, then trim any excess canvas.
A full video walkthrough of stretching your canvas print is coming soon.
Framebridge
Mail-in service: choose your frame online, ship your canvas in, and it comes back stretched and framed.
Local frame shop
Best for large originals or anything you want to see and approve in person before it's finished.
≈ $200–450
Michaels
In-store custom framing counter with a wide range of finishes.
Tip: check michaels.com before you order. They frequently run a 50% off custom framing coupon.02
Framing a paper print
Fine art paper prints should always go behind glass or acrylic, with a mat between the art and the glazing so nothing touches the paper directly.
Your print size:
Ready-made frames
Standard sizes (9×12, 11×14, 18×24) are easy to find with a mat and glass already included.
≈ $15–35Glass vs. acrylic
- Standard glass: least expensive, some glare, fine for most rooms.
- UV / museum glass or acrylic: blocks fading light, lighter and safer for shipping, worth it near a sunny wall.
Do you need a mat?
A mat keeps the print from touching the glass and gives it visual breathing room. A 2–3" border is a classic, gallery-style proportion for most of these prints.
Framebridge
Mail-in service: pick your mat and frame online, ship the print in, get it back ready to hang.
Local frame shop
Ideal for custom mat colors, larger prints, or conservation-grade glazing on a piece you want to keep for decades.
≈ $90–180
Michaels
In-store custom framing counter, a good middle ground on price and turnaround.
Tip: check michaels.com before you order. They frequently run a 50% off custom framing coupon.03
Choose your finish
Click a finish to see how it changes the feel of the piece.
18" × 24" print, shown landscape
Black
Classic and quiet: a black frame all but disappears against most walls, which is why it's the most popular choice for these course paintings. Works with traditional and modern rooms alike.
Mat color matters too: a warm white or cream mat is the classic gallery choice, while a black mat gives a bolder, more modern edge, especially nice with a black frame.
Floater frame examples
This is the look of a floater frame on a canvas print: a raised, raw-edge mount with a gap that shows the canvas edge, in each finish.
Black
Gold
Brown Oak
Natural Wood
04
DIY vs. professional, at a glance
A rough guide. Exact costs vary by size and framer.
| Typical cost | |
|---|---|
| Stretch it yourself | $30–60 |
| Add a floater frame (DIY) | $40–90 |
| Framebridge | $150–300 |
| Local framer | $150–400+ |
| Michaels (watch for 50% off) | $100–300 |
| Typical cost | |
|---|---|
| Ready-made frame (DIY) | $20–60 |
| Framebridge | $120–250 |
| Local framer | $150–400+ |
| Michaels (watch for 50% off) | $100–300 |