Buying Guide
Everything you need to pick the right frame, mat, glass, and print medium — explained in plain language, without the jargon.
01 · Sizes
All sizes are measured in inches and refer to the visible artwork area — not the outer frame dimension. If you're working from a specific print, measure what you want to see, not the whole piece of paper.
| Size (inches) | Size (cm) | Best for | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 × 8 | 15 × 20 | Postcards, small prints | Desk, bedside |
| 8 × 10 | 20 × 25 | Portraits, standard photographs | Bedroom, hallway |
| 11 × 14 | 28 × 36 | Illustrations, art prints | Gallery walls |
| 12 × 18 | 30 × 45 | Movie-poster prints | Living room, study |
| 16 × 20 | 40 × 50 | Statement prints | Living room, office |
| 18 × 24 | 45 × 60 | Large-format photography | Above a sofa |
| 20 × 30 | 50 × 75 | Panoramas, paintings | Dining, lobby |
| 24 × 36 | 60 × 90 | Canvases, fine art | Statement walls |
Need something in between? Use our Frame Builder to set a custom size down to a quarter of an inch.
02 · Profiles
The profile is the cross-section shape of the moulding — the part of the frame that sticks out from the wall. It sets the mood more than the colour does.
A straight, rectangular profile. Sits close to the wall and lets the art do all the talking. Pairs well with photography and minimal prints.
A deeper, squared-off profile with a noticeable side wall. Adds presence without ornament — the standard for contemporary art.
Sits around a canvas with a narrow gap, so the artwork appears to float inside. Never uses glass. Best for stretched paintings and canvas prints.
A deep cavity behind glass for jerseys, medals, bouquets, tickets — anything that has thickness. Built to order with custom depth.
A moulded profile with carved detailing, often in gold leaf or dark walnut. Works with oil paintings, traditional portraits, and antique art.
A flat or box profile with a wide mat border around the art. The mat separates the paper from the glass and gives the piece room to breathe.
03 · Mats
A mat is the paper or board border between your art and the frame. Its purpose is functional — keeping the print from touching glass — and aesthetic. As a rule of thumb, the smaller the art, the wider the mat should feel proportionally.
Up to 8×10. Wider mats here make small art look intentional, not lost.
The universal safe choice — flatters 11×14 through 16×20 almost every time.
18×24 and above. A narrow mat on a large piece looks cramped and unprofessional.
A “weighted mat” — where the bottom border is slightly wider than the top and sides — is a classic gallery touch for photography and portraits.
04 · Glass
Glass protects your art from dust, moisture, and UV — but not all glass is equal. Here is how the main options differ.
Clean and clear when viewed straight on. Reflective under strong light — fine for most rooms, not ideal for brightly lit walls.
A coating that cuts glare by ~90%. The art looks like it has no glass on it at all. The go-to choice for rooms with windows opposite the wall.
Filters 99% of UV light, preventing fade and yellowing over time. Essential for original art, photographs, and anything hanging in direct sunlight.
Combines anti-reflective coating with UV protection. What galleries and museums use. Adds a small cost to the frame but is genuinely invisible in front of the art.
Shatter-resistant alternative, half the weight. Good for childrens’ rooms, shipping long distances, or very large frames where glass becomes heavy.
05 · Mediums
If you're printing an image fresh with us, you'll choose between two main mediums. They feel different, age differently, and suit different kinds of art.
A smooth, acid-free cotton paper with a soft matte surface. Renders photographs, illustrations, and graphic prints with rich blacks and no glare. Always framed behind glass.
Best for: photography, portraits, illustrations, posters, digital art.
A natural-white, tightly woven canvas stretched over kiln-dried pine bars. No glass needed — the texture and matte finish are part of the look. Works beautifully with floater frames or unframed.
Best for: paintings, large-format art, abstracts, landscapes.
06 · Care
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