Frames are a beautiful way to present your pictures and painting in your home, your office or as a gift to a beloved. They come in many shapes, materials, and are even crafted differently depending on what you are looking for.

Here we will give you an overview of the variety of frames and their estimated price. Hopefully, this will help you consider framing your own photographs or art or make a thoughtful gift to a friend.

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Frames by type

There are several types of frames, this is because some canvas or photographs are better exposed or presented in a type of frame. What varies as well, is the style or the environment where this will be hung, and some frames need to be aligned with a specific aesthetic. Sometimes the frame needs to work with the painting or canvas to enhance certain colours or textures.

If you are an artist, and you are setting all the materials that you need for your workspace, from pencils, brushes, graphic tablets, or an artistic whiteboard. Knowing about the different frames will help you set up your art in its best light!

Gallery Frame

This type of frame uses a mat to create an elevated frame-in-frame effect, that you have probably already seen in a gallery or museum. These frames are also great for your home for your most prized art or prints. They often come in wood material and are best when exposed in sets.

Modern Frame

Modern frames, are also called thin profiles and allow your photographs to be exposed minimally. They put the emphasis on the print but are also very elegant. They are usually made out of metal and look great in pairs.

Floating Frame

The floating frame uses clear glass or acrylic, which creates the perception of floatation on the wall. These frames are beautiful because they allow a greater depth and dimension for your prints. It is perfect to hang and exposed a very special print in your room or living room with lots of light.

Deep-Set Frames

The deep-set frame uses a thicker mat and deep frame to draw the attention inwards towards the print or photograph. This creates a subtle shadow within the frame, which adds dimension where there was none. This type of frame is ideal for landscapes and travel photos.

set of frames
Frames have different aesthetics for each space and art. Source Unsplash

Canvas Prints or Paintings

If you are looking to add even more dimension, this is a great option. The canvas print frame stretches the canvas onto an internal frame that brings the image out from the wall. This creates a unique and deep visual effect, it is recommended to use for portraits or special occasion photos, like weddings, family pictures and more.

Tabletop Frames

If you are looking for something small but with a special touch, this is a great option. Because it can be placed almost anywhere, it adds a warming touch to any room where you place it. In addition, the type of frame is versatile and always adds a personality to a space, the materials, and colours can adjust easily.

Photo Holders

Photo holders are the most versatile and functional way to bring a new look to the photos and memories you cheery. They are a thoughtful way of making a gift because they adapt to every space because they are usually small. They can also be made in all the materials you can imagine.

Type of material and dimensions

The material you choose for your frame is significant because it is what while enhance your picture or bring a certain aesthetic for a specific space. Whether it is for an upcoming exposition, your home, an office or for a gift, consider which material is the one that goes best with your print, canvas, or picture and the space where it will be hanged or exposed.

Wood

Wood is a very noble material, it comes in very different colours, textures, and finishes. The kind of wood and finished you select will influence the price of your frame, finally, the size plays a major role. The bigger the frame, the more material you will need, making the price go up. Wooden frames can start at €3 for a photo holder and can reach up to €130 for a wood frame of 700 × 500 mm.

Metal

Metal is a versatile and elegant material, it is also very resistant and can be lighter than wood, which makes it easier to transport and hang. Depending on the type of frame, their price can start at about €7 and go up to €50 depending on the size.

Plastic or Acrylic

Plastic can be a good option if you find something of quality and that has a special design, like the floating frame. However, this material is not always of high quality and can turn out to be disappointing and easy to break or not have UV protection for your pictures. A good plastic or acrylic material for a floating frame can be expensive and cost between €20 and €260, we recommend doing a thorough research before buying this material.

Ornamentation

Frame ornamentations are beautiful and are an ancient craft that still lives on today. The ornament is a raised decorative piece applied to the frame moulding, usually at the corner. It is often still hand carved or sculpted, nowadays, they are also created with 3D printers or moulded from exact mould impressions. Ornamentations bring a lot of dimension and texture to your frame and pictures. They are also very fancy options available with golden leafs appliqués. The prices vary enormously according to the difficulty of the ornamentation and how it was crafted. Many of them are custom-made, so it is best to ask for a price at your nearest frame shop.

Glass and dimensions

Most frames also come with a glass to protect and cover your picture, this adds to the costs of the frames because the quality of the glass also varies if it is thin or thick. There is also something called 'float-glass' which is has better light properties and a 45% protection against harmful UV to protect your art.

Dimensions can be tricky because you have to consider the exact size of your print or picture and see if it fits the dimensions of an online frame. Furthermore, consider that some frames come with a passe-partout, which is the element that brings depth and style to your pictures within the frame, these dimensions should also be taking into account when framing.

frames
Frames can add value to your art and photographs, choose wisely and buy from local markets when you can! Source Unsplash

Who builds the frames?

This is an important question because frames are a competitive market as well, there are so many options online that you can choose from! The fact that cheap options exist out there does not mean that your frame will be guaranteed to be of quality.

It is always best to be able to buy from your local store to make sure of the quality of your frame. It is also a great option if you do not know which style and material to use for a specific picture or canvas.

Some artisans have a long history of the building and creating frames and ornamentations, if this is an option you like you can always ask for their price and support your local economy!

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Dean

I enjoy exploring captivating stories in literature, engaging in thought-provoking conversations, and finding serenity in the beauty of nature through photography.