Framing Made Easy

Your art deserves a beautiful, stress-free display.
This guide shares quick size suggestions, mat and glazing tips, and simple hanging guidelines—so you can frame in minutes and enjoy your piece for years.

All of my prints use standard sizes, which makes it easy to find ready-made frames at most hobby and art stores.

Quick Picks (most people choose one of these)

  • Gift that feels premium on a budget: 11" × 9" print in an 11" × 14" frame with an 11" × 9" mat opening (ready-made frame + inexpensive custom mat).
  • Above a sofa (36–48" space): A 20" × 16" or 24" × 18" framed print feels balanced and substantial.
  • Feature wall statement: 24" × 18" rectangle or 24" × 24" square framed for big, joyful impact.
  • Gallery wall: Mix 11" × 9", 16" × 12", and one or two square prints with matching mats for a cohesive look.

Tip: If you’re unsure, go one size bigger. Slightly larger frames make whimsical scenes feel more immersive (and read as “art, not poster”).

Rectangular Prints — Quick Size Guide

11" × 9" prints

  • Best frame: 11" × 14" frame
  • Mat: Ask for a custom mat with an 11" × 9" opening
  • Why it works:
    • Elegant gift size
    • Uses an easy-to-find ready-made 11" × 14" frame
    • Mat gives a polished, gallery-style look

16" × 12" prints

  • Best frame: 16" × 20" frame
  • Mat: 16" × 12" opening
  • Why it works:
    • Classic proportion
    • Great over desks and small consoles
    • Lovely in pairs or as part of a gallery wall

20" × 16" prints

  • Best frame: 20" × 24" frame
  • Mat: 20" × 16" opening
  • Why it works:
    • Has more presence above sofas and sideboards
    • Feels like a “proper art” size without being huge

24" × 18" prints

  • Best frame: 24" × 36" frame
  • Mat: 24" × 18" opening
  • Why it works:
    • True statement size
    • A medium or wide mat looks especially luxe
    • Perfect for a feature wall or main focal point

Square Prints — Simple Framing Guide

All of my square prints are standard sizes, so here’s an easy formula instead of a big chart:

Step 1 – Match the mat to the print

  • Choose a mat with an opening the same size as your print
    • 10" × 10" print → 10" × 10" mat opening
    • 12" × 12" print → 12" × 12" mat opening
    • 14", 16", 18", 20", 24", 28" → same idea

Step 2 – Choose a frame a little larger than the mat

Here are a few simple pairings that work beautifully:

  • Smaller squares (10" × 10", 12" × 12")
    • Mat opening = print size
    • Frame: about 2" bigger on each side
      • 10" × 10" print → 10" × 10" mat → 12" × 12" frame
      • 12" × 12" print → 12" × 12" mat → 16" × 16" frame
  • Medium squares (14" × 14", 16" × 16", 18" × 18")
    • Mat opening = print size
    • Frame: about 4" bigger on each side
      • 14" × 14" print → 18" × 18" frame
      • 16" × 16" print → 20" × 20" frame
      • 18" × 18" print → 24" × 24" frame
  • Large squares (20" × 20", 24" × 24", 28" × 28")
    • You can use no mat for a bold, modern look
    • Or choose a frame 4–6" bigger than the print for a wide mat and very gallery-style feel
      • 20" × 20" print → 24" × 24" or 28" × 28" frame
      • 24" × 24" print → 24" × 24" or 30" × 30" frame
      • 28" × 28" print → 28" × 28" or 32" × 32" frame

Shortcut:

  • Small/medium squares → frame 2–4" larger than the print
  • Big statement squares → frame 4–6" larger or go mat-free for a clean, contemporary look
Mat color: Bright white or soft white keeps colors crisp. For warmer scenes, an antique white mat adds a gentle glow.

Glass vs. Acrylic (Glazing)

Once you’ve chosen a frame size, you’ll often be asked about glass vs. acrylic. Here’s the simple version:

Glass

  • Crisp clarity and a classic feel
  • Best for small to medium frames in lower-traffic areas
  • Upgrade options:
    • UV-protective glass to help preserve color
    • Non-glare glass to soften reflections in bright rooms

Acrylic (Plexi)

  • Lightweight and shatter-resistant
  • Ideal for larger frames (especially 16" × 20" and up) or busy spaces
  • Great choice for kids’ rooms, hallways, and above beds
  • Look for UV and/or non-glare acrylic for fewer reflections and better color protection

Frame Style Guide

The style of the frame changes the mood of the piece:

  • Black gallery frame Modern, graphic, and bold—wonderful for winter scenes, strong contrasts, and cinematic moods.
  • Natural wood frame Warm and organic—perfect for woodland scenes, animal gatherings, and nature-inspired pieces.
  • White frame Airy and bright—lets the artwork “float” on the wall and keeps the focus on color and character.

Room Pairing Quick Tips

  • Above the sofa:
    One large frame (20" × 16", 24" × 18", or 24" × 24" square), or a tidy trio like one rectangle with two smaller squares.
  • Nursery or kids’ rooms:
    Acrylic glazing, white or natural frames, and soft-white mats for a gentle, calming feel.
  • Entryway statement:
    A 24" × 18" rectangle or 24" × 24" square centered at eye level (57"–60" to the center of the art).

Example Pairings from My Collection

Here are a few ways I love to see my work framed:

  • “Icy Love” (penguin family)
    11" × 9" or 16" × 12" print in a white frame with a soft-white mat for a bright winter feel.
  • “Forest Feast”
    16" × 12" print in a natural wood frame (16" × 20" with mat) for warmth and a cozy woodland mood.
  • “The Dawning”
    20" × 16" or a large square version in a black gallery frame, with or without a mat, for a confident, contemporary read.

(You can adapt these ideas to whatever size you choose from the tables above.)

Budget vs. Premium Routes

Budget-Friendly (Ready-Made Frames)

  • Choose one of the recommended frame sizes above.
  • Use the frame’s included mat if it fits, or ask for a simple custom-cut mat with the exact opening (usually very affordable).
  • This is a great option for gifts, gallery walls, and seasonal décor.

Premium (Custom Frame Shop)

  • Custom mats (including fabric mats), archival backing, and UV/non-glare glazing.
  • Ideal for statement pieces and heirloom gifts you want to protect long-term.

Simple Hanging Tips

  • Height:
    Aim for 57"–60" from the floor to the center of the artwork—this generally matches eye level in most homes.
  • Above furniture:
    Leave about 6–8" between the top of the sofa/console and the bottom of the frame.
  • Keep it level:
    Use two hooks for wider frames to prevent tilting and to keep everything stable.

FAQ

Do I have to use a mat?
No—but mats add breathing room and give a museum-style feel. For detailed brushwork and whimsical scenes, a mat often enhances the art.

Will colors look different behind glass or acrylic?
They can shift slightly, especially with non-glare surfaces, which diffuse reflections. UV-protective glazing helps keep colors truer over time.

Are your print sizes standard?
Yes. All of my prints are offered in standard sizes (both rectangular and square), so you can use readily available frames found online or from hobby and art stores.

What if my frame isn’t an exact match?
A pre-cut or custom-cut mat will bridge the difference. It’s a simple solution and usually quite affordable.

Glass or acrylic for kids’ rooms and high-traffic areas?
I recommend acrylic because it’s lighter and shatter-resistant.

Ready When You Are