Choosing the right frame for a piece of art can feel surprisingly daunting, and yet the right choice makes an enormous difference to how an artwork lives in your space. The wrong frame can diminish even a beautiful painting, while the right one elevates the whole room. Here's my guide to making the best framing decision for original paintings, stretched canvas prints, and fine art paper prints.
Stretched canvas prints and original canvas paintings are unique in that they don't strictly need a frame at all. The canvas wraps around a timber stretcher bar and can hang beautifully as is, with the painted or printed edges visible. This unframed, gallery-wrapped look is clean, contemporary, and works particularly well in modern or minimalist interiors.
I always paint the edges of my originals in the darkest colour already used in the art piece. This is to draw the eye to the artwork itself, while giving art collectors the option of going frame-free.
That said, a float frame — where the canvas sits inside the frame with a small gap around the edges — adds a finished, considered quality that many collectors prefer. It gives the work a sense of presence and weight that an unframed canvas sometimes lacks.
Choosing a frame finish for canvas
The finish of your frame should complement both the artwork and your existing interior rather than competing with either. As a general guide:
A natural timber frame brings warmth and an organic quality that suits botanical, nature inspired, and Mediterranean themed work beautifully. It works particularly well in interiors with timber furniture, rattan, linen, and warm tones. The kind of space that already feels grounded and natural.
A white frame creates a clean, gallery-like presentation that lets the artwork take full focus. It suits contemporary interiors and works especially well with bold, colourful paintings where you want the eye drawn immediately to the work rather than the frame.
A black frame adds drama and definition, grounding a piece with a strong border that suits both contemporary and more maximalist interiors. For darker, more dramatic works — think deep backgrounds with luminous colour — a black frame can be particularly striking.
My personal preference is always to let the artwork guide the decision. I look at the dominant tones in the painting and choose a frame that echoes rather than contrasts them.
Framing a Fine Art Paper Print
Paper prints require a different approach to canvas. They need to be protected behind glass or acrylic to prevent damage from humidity, dust, and handling. This means a traditional frame with a glazed front rather than a float frame.
Glass versus acrylic
Standard glass is affordable and widely available but can create glare depending on your lighting. Museum glass or anti-reflective glass is significantly more expensive but eliminates glare almost entirely and offers UV protection. This is worth considering for a piece you intend to display long term in a sunny room.
Acrylic glazing is lighter than glass, shatter resistant, and often more practical for larger prints. It can attract dust through static but is generally a good choice for fine art prints at A2 size and above.
Mat boards for paper prints
A mat board — the border of card between the print and the glass — is both practical and aesthetic. Practically, it prevents the print from touching the glass which can cause damage over time. Aesthetically, it creates breathing room around the image and gives the whole piece a polished, gallery quality finish.
For my Mediterranean Table paper prints, a white or off-white mat board works beautifully. It lets the colour of each painting breathe without competing. For the Dark Set in particular, a deep charcoal or black mat board creates a dramatic, sophisticated presentation that suits the midnight backgrounds of those works.
Standard frame sizes for paper prints
Choosing a standard frame size makes framing significantly more affordable than custom framing. My fine art paper prints are available in A4, A3, and A2 at a minimum. These are all standard sizes that fit frames readily available from Ikea, Officeworks, Spotlight, and most frame shops across Australia. This was a deliberate decision, because I believe that beautiful art should be easy and accessible to live with, not complicated.
When to invest in professional framing
For an original artwork — whether on canvas or paper — I always recommend professional framing. An original is a one of a kind piece and deserves to be presented and protected accordingly. A professional framer will also advise on archival quality materials that protect the work for generations.
For prints (especially stretched canvas), professional framing is a wonderful option, but for other print types, standard off-the-shelf frames work beautifully too.
The most important thing
There is no universally right answer when it comes to framing. The best choice is always the one that makes you stop and look every time you walk past it. Trust your instinct, let the artwork guide you, and don't be afraid to ask for advice from a professional framer if you're unsure.
Browse the full collection of original paintings and fine art prints here at lunaburlo.com — and if you have questions about framing or presentation, I'm always happy to help.
Want early access to new collections and $50 off your first print order? Join the Luna Burlo Art mailing list here.