How to Frame a Print Without an Expensive Trip to a Custom Shop

A good print deserves proper framing. But custom framing from a professional shop can cost 150 to 300 dollars. For a 50-dollar print, that's overkill. For a 100-dollar print, you're paying twice as much for the frame as the art itself.

You can frame a quality print yourself for 40 to 80 dollars if you buy the right materials and assemble it carefully. It won't be custom, but it will be thoughtful and archival-quality.

Buy Pre-Cut Mat Board

You don't need to cut your own mat. Art supply stores (online or local) sell pre-cut mat boards in standard sizes. 11x14, 16x20, 18x24—you name it. Look for acid-free mat board. It costs a few dollars more but lasts forever without yellowing.

Choose a mat color that complements your print. White or cream is classic and safe. A soft gray or sage green works for prints with earth tones. The mat creates breathing room around your print and makes it feel intentional instead of like you just glued it to cardboard.

Get UV-Protective Glass

Standard glass costs 15 dollars. UV-protective glass costs 30 to 40 dollars. The difference is huge: UV glass prevents fading. For a print you want to last, this is non-negotiable.

Buy pre-cut glass in the size that matches your frame. You can get it online or at any framing supply store. Having someone cut glass is dangerous and expensive. Buying pre-cut is smart.

The Frame Itself

Buy a pre-made frame kit (which includes the frame, glass, backing board, and small hardware) from an art supply store or online. Look for one that matches the size of your mat board. Wood frames in natural, black, or white are the most versatile. They cost 20 to 50 dollars depending on quality.

You want a frame that feels intentional but not fussy. A thin natural wood frame looks better than a thick ornate one for modern prints. A simple black frame works if you want something more formal.

Assemble It: The Order Matters

From front to back: glass, mat board with your print underneath it, backing board, the frame. Don't use adhesive. Everything should nest snugly. The print sits between the mat and the backing, held in place by gravity and the frame pressure.

If your print is smaller than the mat window, tape it lightly to the mat using acid-free tape in two small corners. Don't glue it. You want to be able to remove it someday if needed.

Skip the Air Gap If You're DIY Framing

Professional framing uses spacers to create an air gap between the print and the mat. If you're assembling it yourself without spacers, that's fine. The print will sit directly on the mat. Just make sure everything is acid-free, and don't use adhesive.

Use Acid-Free Backing Board

The board behind your print matters as much as the board in front. Buy acid-free backing board. Not cheap cardboard. Acid-free is what prevents yellowing and staining from migrating backward into your print.

You can buy this at any art supply store. It costs a few dollars more than regular cardboard but lasts decades without damage.

Hanging Hardware

Most pre-made frames come with wire and hooks. That's fine for most situations. Use picture-hanging hooks rated for the weight of your frame plus print plus glass. An 11x14 framed print weighs maybe three pounds. Standard picture hooks handle 20 pounds easily.

Hang your frame on a wall stud using a sturdy screw, or use heavy-duty drywall anchors if there's no stud. Check that it's level. Step back and look.

Where to Buy

Blick Art Materials (online or local stores) has everything you need. Daniel Smith, Curry's, Michael's—any decent art supply shop carries pre-cut mats, pre-cut glass, and frame kits. Prices vary, but you're looking at 60 to 80 dollars total for a quality framed print.

When to Go Custom

DIY framing works perfectly for modern prints, photography, and art that doesn't require specialized handling. If you have something very old, very delicate, or very expensive, custom framing is worth the cost. A professional will have experience you don't have.

But for a good print you bought at a gallery or online? Framing it yourself is satisfying, affordable, and you'll feel proud hanging it. That's the whole point of art on your wall—it should feel personal, not like it came from a catalog.

Pieces That Work With This

If you're looking for pieces that fit the spirit of this kind of room, a few catalog favorites land especially well — the Textured Embroidery Puzzle for the soft, lived-in moment, the Garden Art Puzzle as the anchor of the room, and the Botanical Artwork Puzzle for the small daily detail that earns the second look. Any of the three slots into the kind of room this article describes without having to redecorate around them.