“The frame announces that between the part of reality that was cut away and this part, there is a difference.”
-Rosalind E. Krauss
Let’s find the perfect frame for your art! I have tailored my art print sizes to fit standard frames available at Michaels, Target, and your favorite online shops. For the best preservation and presentation, I highly recommend you consult a local framer. They are professionals who can help your artwork last longer. Below are my favorite framers in Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area. I do not recommend Michaels for full framing (just mat-cutting).
My Take on Framing
Framing Prints on Paper
I have selected my favorite FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified frames below. An FSC certification ensures that products come from forests that are being managed to preserve biological diversity and benefit the lives of local people and workers while ensuring it sustains economic viability.
Haus & Hues
Opposite Wall
Crate & Barrel
Jerry’s Artarama Ambiance Line
A Note About Mats
Some of the above frames come with a white mat. A frame mat (or matboard) is a decorative border, usually made of archival paperboard, placed inside a picture frame between the artwork and the glass, serving to enhance visual appeal and protect the art by creating space, airflow, and preventing sticking to the glazing. Mats draw the eye to the art, add depth, and are available in various colors, materials, and thicknesses for a professional finish, often acid-free for preservation. When you purchase your mat from a big-box retailer or online retailer, it is most likely NOT ARCHIVAL. A mat that is not archival is made of materials that may damage the artwork over time. These materials often contain acids and lignins which can migrate into the artwork and cause it to yellow, become brittle, or fade, potentially leading to irreversible damage.
IF you would like to save a few dollars AND have your artwork matted, I suggest going into a frame shop (Michael’s is okay for this one) and purchasing an ARCHIVAL white mat and having a professional cut it for you. Have them cut out the mat in order to fit the art or the art AND the artist signature line. Bring in the frame and print for them to measure. Purchase some archival tape and affix it yourself at home.
I recommend the following print to mat/frame ratios:
8x10 in print in an 11x14 in frame
11x14 in print in a 16x20 in frame
16x20 in print in a 24x30 in frame
24x30 in print in a 30x40 in frame
12x12 in print in a 16x16 in frame
16x16 in print in a 20x20 in frame
20x20 in print in a 24x24 in frame
24x24 in print in a 30x30 in frame
8x12 in print in an 11x14 in frame
11x17 in print in a 16x20 in frame
16x24 in print in an 24x30 in frame
20x30 in print in a 30x40 in frame
Framing Unstretched Canvas/Linen Paintings
I recommend getting my raw, unstretched canvas and linen paintings professionally mounted and framed behind museum glass. You may also choose to hang the paintings in a wooden hanger frame or frame them in an 11x14 or 12x16-inch float frame. West Elm sometimes has metal float frames close to 11x14 inches. Happy framing!
Hanger Frames
Float Frames
My small wood panel paintings and canvas prints (8-inch square, 8x10-inch, 9x12-inch, 11x14-inch, and 12-inch squares) are all 0.75 inches deep. They fit perfectly into these thin 7/8”-deep wooden Ampersand Floater Frames at DickBlick.com.
