If you’re thinking about framing a picture yourself, here are some tips to help you get the best results possible.
Do you already have a photo or art print that you want to frame? Or maybe you have a frame and are looking for that perfect photo or artwork to display in it? Whichever the case may be, here are several tips and considerations that will help you get the best results possible. Of course, the other option is to have us do it all for you! From expertly printing your image to professionally framing it, you’ll get the best of the best when you order a Posterjack Framed Print, and it will arrive at your door, carefully packaged and ready to hang as soon as you open the box. It doesn’t get easier than that!
Important Considerations Before You Frame a Picture
Before you frame your picture, there are a few things you should first consider:
Where Are You Displaying Your Frame?
If you plan to display your picture in an area that has a lot of light, you’ll want to ensure you choose materials that offer UV-protection so your artwork will not fade and can be appreciated for years down the road. If you still need to print the picture you plan to frame, you should make sure that the inks used are UV-stable. Of course, if you already have the picture you want to frame, you don’t have any control over the inks used. In this case, you can protect your artwork by choosing a frame that has UV protection in its glass.
Posterjack uses UV framer’s acrylic glass in all our Framed Print styles, as well as original HP Vivera Inks which are UV-stable and rated to be fade-resistant for over 200 years. If you already have a frame and just want to print your picture, our Photo Prints and Fine Art Prints also use the same quality inks.
Finding the Perfect Fit
If you already have your photo or artwork, you should find a frame that will complement it, as well as your decor style. For example, a frame that shows its natural wood grain could pair up beautifully with a soft watercolour painting and be enhanced even more so with a stain colour that fits in well with your style. Conversely, a modern black and white portrait could look incredible in a dark frame with a polished, smooth finish. Additionally, if the frame has a matboard, make sure its opening is large enough and won’t hide any important details in your print when you frame it.
Posterjack Framed Prints are available in over 50 styles and colours, but can be grouped into six main frame types:
- Essential Frames
- Gallery Frames
- Metallic Frames
- Lacquer Frames
- Loft Frames
- Barnwood Frames
Each of these frame types have their own style and characteristics. If you’re interested in checking them out, you can head over to the Framed Prints page and scroll down to see the different options.
If you have a frame already, you will need to ensure you print your photo/artwork in the right size. If your frame has a matboard, make sure your print is slightly larger than its opening, keeping in mind the edges of your image will be lost behind the matting.
Choosing the Right Paper
If you’re going to the trouble of printing and framing a picture yourself, you will want to put the effort into choosing the right type of paper to print on so your framed picture will look good and last for years down the road. Ideally, you should print on a matte paper to avoid glare and reflections. You will also want to choose a paper that’s thick enough to hold up to the test of time. If you’re framing a picture that will be displayed in a room with high humidity, like a kitchen or a bathroom, a thicker paper will have a better chance at standing up to that environment a lot longer than a low-quality, thin alternative.
Keeping Your Picture in Place
When you’re framing your picture, it’s important to secure it properly so it doesn’t ripple or shift in the frame over time. To help ensure it doesn’t go wavy, you can:
- Print your photo on a high-quality, thick paper.
- Avoid displaying your frame in a high-humidity environment, as this will inevitably lead to ripples over time.
- Use a matboard, rather than placing your print right up against the glass of the frame.
- When using a matboard, use the archival hinge method to secure the print to the top of the matboard with proper framers tape.
- Mount the print to a foam board or rigid board before placing it behind the matboard.
Consider Where and How Your Materials Are Made
To get the most life out of your framed pictures, you will want to purchase materials that are the best quality so your frames and prints will not fade, ripple, crack, or deteriorate over the years. It’s also a good idea to know where the materials are coming from. We believe that whenever possible, supporting local businesses and choosing environmentally responsible products are always the best options. Choose products that are acid-free, UV-stable, and FSC Certified. If you’re buying a wood frame, do some research to find out what type of wood the frame is made from and whether or not the wood is coming from a renewable resource.
Posterjack Checks All The Boxes
So, to summarize, a few of the key considerations when printing and framing a picture yourself are:
- Use UV-stable inks to avoid fading
- The frame’s glass should offer UV protection
- Materials are better if they’re FSC Certified and environmentally-responsible
- Choose a frame that complements the artwork or photo, as well as your decor style
- Print your photo/artwork on thick, quality paper that won’t fade, ripple, or crack
- Ensure the size of your print and frame will work together
- Mount your print securely so it stays in place and doesn’t get wavy
We check all those boxes and ordering couldn’t be easier. You simply upload your image to our website, choose the product and size you like, and we will take it from there! We will print your pictures and professionally frame them right here in Canada, from our Toronto location.
For prints that you plan to frame yourself, two papers that work the best for this are:
Or, if you’d like to make things easy on yourself, you can have Posterjack do it all for you! All of our Framed Prints include an acid-free matboard, framer’s acrylic glass, and your image is professionally printed using the giclee method for a dynamic look. Our Framed Prints have the hanging hardware installed too, so it’s ready to hang as soon as you unbox it.
If you want to create prints of original artwork or are looking for images to have framed, here are a few blog posts you might be interested in checking out:
Tips on Printing Etsy Digital Downloads
The Best Etsy Alternatives for Digital Downloads
Where to Find Free Printable Wall Art
