The Complete Framing Guide

The Complete Framing Guide WALL IT ALL PRINTS

The Complete Framing Guide: How to Choose the Right Frame for Every Print

Published: March 10, 2026 | Category: How-To Guides Target keywords: Framed prints UK, framed wall art UK, black framed prints, white framed prints, oak framed prints, framed botanical prints, framed abstract art UK, framed photography UK, framed vintage prints UK, museum quality prints, giclee prints UK

The frame is half the artwork. A beautiful print in the wrong frame looks wrong; a simple print in the right frame can look extraordinary. And yet most people spend far more time choosing the print than choosing the frame.

This guide covers everything you need to know about framing: the different frame materials and colours, how to match them to different art styles, how to frame for different rooms, and when to choose framed versus unframed.

Why framing matters more than most people think

A frame does three things:

It protects the print. A quality frame with glass or acrylic protects the print from dust, humidity, UV damage, and physical contact. Unframed prints — even giclée prints on premium paper — are vulnerable to all of these.

It defines the boundary. A frame tells the eye where the art ends and the wall begins. Without a frame, a print can look unfinished — like something that hasn't quite arrived yet.

It contributes to the aesthetic. A frame is a design choice as significant as the print itself. A natural oak frame brings warmth; a black frame brings graphic sharpness; a white frame creates a floating, minimal effect.

Frame materials: what they are and when to use them

Black frames

Black is the most popular frame colour in contemporary interiors — and for good reason. A thin black frame creates a clean, precise boundary around a print that feels intentional and considered. It suits almost every interior style, from Japandi and Scandi to maximalist and eclectic.

Best with:

  • Photography prints — particularly black and white photography
  • Bold abstract prints
  • Line art
  • Vintage prints where you want a contemporary feel
  • Any print where you want the art to pop rather than the frame

Works in: Every room. Universally applicable.

What to avoid: Very wide, heavy black frames — these can overpower smaller prints and make an arrangement feel dated.

White frames

White frames create the most minimal look — particularly on white walls, where the frame almost disappears and the print appears to float. They suit light, airy aesthetics and work particularly well with soft, delicate prints.

Best with:

  • Watercolour prints and botanical illustration
  • Pastel and soft-toned art
  • Delicate line art
  • Prints with white or cream backgrounds
  • Nursery and kids' room prints

Works in: Bedrooms, nurseries, bathrooms, light Scandinavian-style interiors.

What to avoid: Dark, moody prints — a white frame softens and lightens, which can undermine the mood of a dramatic print.

Oak and natural timber frames

Timber frames add warmth and organic character to wall art. Light oak in particular has become one of the most popular frame choices in the UK — it suits the natural material interiors (linen, rattan, raw plaster) that have dominated interior design for the past several years.

Best with:

  • Botanical prints
  • Coastal and nature photography
  • Warm abstract prints in terracotta, ochre, and sage
  • Japanese art prints
  • Vintage botanical illustration

Works in: Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens — anywhere with natural materials and warm tones.

What to avoid: Very cool-toned prints in blue or grey — the warmth of timber can clash with cool palettes.

Dark timber and walnut frames

Dark timber frames are less common than light oak but work beautifully in the right context. They add richness and depth without the stark contrast of a black frame.

Best with:

  • Warm, rich abstract prints
  • Vintage prints
  • Landscape and nature photography
  • Any print in warm, earthy tones

Works in: Living rooms with warm colour palettes, dining rooms, home offices.

Gold and antique frames

Gold frames have made a return in recent years — but the style that works is thin, delicate gold rather than heavy baroque gilding. A slim antique gold frame suits Art Nouveau, Impressionist, and classical art prints perfectly.

Best with:

  • Impressionist art prints — Monet, Renoir, Degas
  • Art Nouveau prints — Mucha, Klimt
  • Vintage illustrations and botanical prints
  • Any print with warm, rich tones

Works in: Living rooms and dining rooms with an eclectic or maximalist aesthetic.

What to avoid: Contemporary abstract prints — gold frames clash with the clean lines of modern art.

Matching frames to art styles

Abstract prints

Abstract wall art UK suits thin, clean frames — black, white, or natural timber. The frame should contain the print rather than compete with it. For bold, colourful abstract prints, black frames create the sharpest contrast. For softer, more gestural abstracts, timber or white frames add warmth without overpowering.

Botanical prints

Framed botanical prints look best in natural contexts — oak or timber frames that echo the organic quality of the subject matter. White frames also work for a clean, contemporary botanical look. Avoid black frames for delicate botanical illustration — the contrast can feel harsh.

Photography prints

Framed photography UK works in almost any frame — but the choice affects the mood significantly. Black frames suit crisp, high-contrast photography and add editorial sharpness. White frames suit softer, more intimate photography. Timber frames warm up landscape and nature photography.

Vintage prints

Framed vintage prints UK suit warm frames — timber, antique gold, or dark wood — that reference the age and character of the art. A thin black frame also works for a more contemporary take on vintage prints.

Japanese art

Japanese art prints suit simple, unobtrusive frames — thin black, thin timber, or no frame at all. Heavy frames work against the restraint and precision of Japanese aesthetics.

Understanding print quality: giclée vs standard

Not all prints are equal, and the quality of the print matters as much as the quality of the frame.

Giclée prints (pronounced zhee-clay) are the gold standard of art printing. The name comes from the French word for "spray" — giclée prints are produced using high-precision inkjet printers with archival pigment inks on museum-quality paper or canvas. The result is a print with colour depth, tonal range, and longevity that standard printing can't match.

Why it matters:

  • Colour accuracy: Giclée printing reproduces the full colour range of the original artwork. Standard printing compresses this range.
  • Longevity: Archival pigment inks on quality paper last 100+ years without fading under normal display conditions.
  • Detail: The resolution of giclée printing reveals fine detail in the original artwork that standard printing loses.

Museum-quality prints are always giclée. If you're buying art to live with for years, it's worth knowing what you're getting.

Glass, acrylic, or no glazing?

Most framed prints use either glass or acrylic (perspex) glazing.

Glass:

  • Heavier and more rigid than acrylic
  • Clearer and less prone to scratching
  • Better for permanent display in stable environments
  • Standard glass can reflect light (opt for anti-reflective glass for bright rooms)

Acrylic:

  • Lighter than glass — better for larger prints (A1, A0) where glass would be very heavy
  • Won't shatter if the frame falls
  • Can scratch over time if cleaned with the wrong materials
  • UV-filtering acrylic available for sun-exposed positions

No glazing (open frame or canvas):

  • Suits canvas prints and fine art papers that don't need protection
  • Creates a more gallery-like look
  • Requires more care when cleaning

Framed vs unframed: when to choose each

Choose framed when:

  • You're buying art as a gift
  • The print is going in a bathroom or humid environment
  • You want art that's genuinely ready to hang
  • The print is a long-term investment
  • The frame is part of the aesthetic you're going for

Choose unframed when:

  • You have a specific frame in mind that we don't stock
  • You want to frame it yourself to match existing frames in your home
  • You're buying a print speculatively and aren't sure of the final position
  • You want to keep the initial cost down and frame later

A note on sizing: frame vs print dimensions

When ordering framed prints, remember that the frame adds to the overall dimensions. A standard frame profile adds 3–5cm on each side, so an A1 print (594 × 841mm) in a frame will have an overall framed size of roughly 620–700mm wide.

If you're sizing art to fit a specific space — between two windows, above a narrow console table, within a niche — always use the framed dimensions when measuring, not the print dimensions.

All our prints are available framed in black, white, and natural oak — in sizes from A3 to A0. Every framed print uses museum-quality giclée printing behind glass, ready to hang.