How to Frame Your Artwork
Hi friends! I know that one of the biggest pain points for buying artwork and decorating your home with unique and meaningful pieces of art is FRAMING THEM! Framing can get super complicated, but it doesn’t have to be! I put together this quick guide to hopefully simplify everything for you with easy to buy links and a few tips and tricks. Obviously custom framing gives you more choices and options, but there are some beautiful pre-made frames that you can purchase quickly and easily to give you a custom look— for a third of the price!
MATTING
I always recommend matting your artwork with at least a 2 inch mat, and IMO— the bigger the better! I love a huge a mat for smaller artwork because it can make such a statement. All of the pre-made frames below (except for the Bright Gold Bamboo) come with a mat, but always double check you are ordering the correct size and look for it to say “matted to” + the size of your artwork. Matting can also add width and height to your piece which can help fill a larger space if needed. For the Bright Gold Bamboo frame linked below, I always order matting from Frame It Easy, because you can easily customize the outside dimensions and the opening! Keep in mind, you will want to order the dimensions of the opening half an inch smaller than the print size, so that it will hold the print inside of it. For example: order a 7.5 x 9.5 opening for an 8 x 10 print! Don’t worry— all of my prints come with a 1/4 inch border around the edge so none of the art will be covered!
ASSEMBLING YOUR FRAME
Once you have picked and ordered your frame, sometimes the most difficult part is getting the artwork in the frame and hanging it! To make it easier I have a little trick for lining the art up and assembling the piece in the mat.
You will need scissors, a clean work space, a clean towel, and tape (I recommend using framing tape sold HERE) or simple masking tape will work just fine also! Like I said above, all of my prints come with a 1/4 inch border so that none of the print is covered by the frame or mat— this also acts as a guide for lining it up within the mat.
On a clean, flat surface, position your artwork face-up.
Position two small pieces of Framer’s Tape on the back top of the artwork— sticky side down. It will look like a “t”. For larger pieces of art, you will need two or three “t” tapes across the top.
Flip the artwork over to the front and position your matboard over the art so that it is centered— lining it up with the 1/4 inch white border.
Once it is all lined up, press down at the top of your art to adhere the matboard to the framer’s tape.
Flip your artwork and mat to the back and place more pieces of Framer’s Tape along the other edges and sides of the artwork to adhere to the rest of the mat.
Be sure to wipe your frame off with your clean rag and make sure there isn’t any fuzz or stray hairs within it. Then add your art plus matting into your frame. I always flip it over and check before I close it up, just be sure nothing has moved or shifted and that there aren’t any stray debris in between the glass and mat!
Then hang your picture in the desired spot! (another blog on hanging art to come!)
LARGER PRINTS
For prints larger than 16x20, I recommend using Frame it Easy! There are tons of options and you can make your frame very custom! Use my referral link here for 10% off!! www.frameiteasy.com/referral/jsLc
We just found an amazing option for 18x24 and 24x36!
Check out this natural wood frame here: https://rstyle.me/+0dfkNwQmXT2HVE7APJkoCA
and this black frame here: https://rstyle.me/+bSTWMKRk9lK14HEXSuOvPQ
FRAMING STANDARD SIZED PRINTS
Below, I have organized some of my favorite frames with links to purchase them! Most of the frames come in multiple sizes, so find your artwork size below or check to see in the heading underneath which sizes each frame comes in!
5x5
Below are frames matted to a 5x5!
Black Frame Set of 6 - 5x5
These classic square gold frames come in a 6-piece set and are matted to 5x5. Perfect for the travel prints!
All our travel prints look great in these frames!
Basic White Frame - 5x5
This double matted white frame is perfect for a travel print or any of the neutral neigh 5x5 prints!
Basic Black Frame - 5x5
This basic black frame is perfect for any of the neutral neigh series! Comes in a pack of three and would be perfect with “Gray Daze”, “Polka Pink”, “Bet On Blue”, or “Three’s A Crowd”!
5x7
Below are frames matted to a 5x7!
Natural Wood - 5x7
A simple & versatile wall wood frame that comes in multiple sizes :
8x10 & 11x14! We love “Missing Meet” in this rustic frame.
Light Wood Frame - 5x7
These light wood frames are perfect for our Paxton Abstract prints! Neutral with a thick mat, these would be the perfect addition over a couch!
Bright Gold Bamboo - 5x7
This bamboo frame is such a statement! For a 5x7 print or painting order a 10x12 frame and then order a custom mat from Frame It Easy! The outward dimension for the mat will need to be 10x12 with an opening of 4.5 x 6.5.
Thin Black - 5x7
We love the Paxton Ponies framed in a thin black with a large mat! These are sure to make a statement on your walls!
8x8
Below are frames matted to an 8x8!
PRO TIP: When searching for a frame for an 8x8— always search for a 12x12 frame because most will be matted to an 8x8!
4 Pack-White Frame - 8x8
8x8 - Perfect for our prints “Three’s A Crowd, “Polka Pink”, “Bet on Blue”, and “Gray Daze”!
If you only need one basic white frame there is another option HERE!
Basic Thin Gold- 8x8
This is the perfect thin gold for any of our 8x8 prints! We love our bright and colorful horse themed prints in this frame like “Jockey Talkie” (shown here),“Sassy Jockeys”, “The First Turn”, and “Run for the Roses”!
Basic Thin Black Frame- 8x8
We love this basic thin black frame! Perfect for “Polka Pink”!
8x10
Below are frames matted to an 8x10!
PRO TIP: When searching for a frame for an 8x10— always search for an 11x14 frame because most will be matted to an 8x10!
Thin Gold - 8x10
the perfect, versatile gold frame! Perfect for our abstract prints, horse racing prints, bourbon prints, or really anything!
Minimalist Dark Wood Frame- 8x10
This dark wood frame is perfect for “Silver” as shown!
Antique Brass Metal Frame - 8x10
“Derby 2016” looks fabulous in this brass frame! It also comes in a variety of sizes : 5x7, 8x10 & 11x14
Basic White Frame- 8x10
“Bob” never looked better in this basic white frame!
Thin Black- 8x10
We love our bourbon prints in a thin black frame! It really makes the colors pop!
11x14
Below are frames matted to an 11x14!
PRO TIP: When searching for a frame for an 11x14— always search for a 16x20 frame because most will be matted to an 11x14!
Basic White Frame- 11x14
“And They’re Off” looks great in this basic white frame!
This modern black frame is perfect for our “University of Kentucky” print and is matted to an 11x14 and also comes matted to 5x7.
Thin Gold Frame- 11x14
This is our most favorite gold frame and love how “Keeneland in the Spring” looks in it!
12x12
We LOVE our bright print, “The First Turn” in this bambook frame. For a 12x12 print, order this bamboo frame in an 18x18 and then custom order a 3 inch matboard from Frame It Easy! You will order the mat with an 18x18 outside and a 11.5 x 11.5 opening.
Basic White Frame- 12x12
This 16x16 frame, matted to a 12x12 is the perfect match for our “Sassy Jockeys” print!
Basic Black- 12x12
We love our “Three’s A Crowd” print in a black frame like this one!
16x20
Below are frames matted to a 16x20!
PRO TIP: When searching for a frame for a 16x20— always search for a 20x24 frame because most will be matted to a 16x20!
Our “Abstracted World Map” print is perfect for this 16 x 20 gold + ornate frame. Comes in so many sizes!
Ikea White Frame - 16x20
We love these super cheap white frames from IKEA! Perfect for “Let’s Jock About It” in 16x20.
Champagne Frame - 16x20
The most beautiful, champagne frame that looks great with our horse racing prints like “Flying Horsemen” shown here! This is our most favorite 16x20 frame and love the gold detail on the inside of the mat!
Basic Black Frame
Basic Black frame matted to 16x20! We love how it makes “Secretariat” pop!
20x20
There aren’t many options for 20x20 prints— but the bamboo below can come in a 20x20 (without a mat) or you can size up and order a custom mat. You can also order a very customizable frame for a 20x20 print through Frame it Easy! Be sure to use my referral link here for 10% off!! www.frameiteasy.com/referral/jsLc
Bamboo Frame
We love this Flower Power print in this bamboo frame a 20x20 print, order this frame in a 24x24 and then custom order a 24x24 mat with a 19.5 x 19.5 opening from Frame It Easy!
I truly hope this guide helps you pick out a frame for your artwork and simplifies the process a little more for you!! Framing is always tough, but once you pick the perfect frame and get your artwork hung— it is so worth it! Drop a comment below if you have any questions. Thanks for following along!
xoxo
Kayla