Complete Guide to Custom Framing for Works of Art

Guide to Framing Fine Art Prints and Works on Paper

To enhance your art collecting experience, we are pleased to present our guide to the art of framing.

Far from being simply a technical process, art framing offers a unique opportunity to personalize an artwork so that it integrates perfectly with your interior design. By choosing the right frame, you create a custom setting that protects the artwork while enhancing its visual impact within your living space.

This guide explains why framing fine art prints and original works on paper is an essential part of preserving and presenting artwork. We explore materials, framing styles, modern trends, and professional techniques used in museum-quality framing that protect and enhance artworks. Practical advice will also help you select the ideal frame for both contemporary artworks and timeless classics.

Our guide is designed to help collectors make informed decisions so that every artwork can be displayed in the best possible conditions while respecting its integrity.

Why should fine art prints be framed?

Because of the fragile nature of paper, fine art prints, lithographs, engravings, and works on paper require special protection to preserve their original condition over time.

Dust and humidity can damage prints by affecting color vibrancy and altering the structure of the paper, leading to gradual deterioration.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is also a major risk. Prolonged exposure to sunlight or UV-rich artificial lighting can cause fading and rapid pigment degradation.

To protect artworks, it is important to adopt proper conservation methods. Using UV-protective glass or museum-quality anti-reflective glazing helps preserve colors while ensuring excellent visibility.

Handling prints carefully is equally essential. Wearing gloves prevents oils and dirt from the skin from transferring to delicate paper surfaces.

By following these conservation practices, collectors can ensure their fine art prints remain in excellent condition for generations.

What type of framing is best for fine art prints?

To properly protect works on paper, we strongly recommend frames fitted with protective glass that shields the artwork from dust, humidity, and UV light.

Acid-free mat boards and backing materials made from cotton or museum-grade cellulose are essential to prevent long-term deterioration.

A high-quality frame not only protects the artwork but also enhances its presentation, allowing collectors to display fine art prints in the best possible way.

Following these framing recommendations ensures both the preservation and the optimal presentation of artworks for many years to come.

Custom Framing Guide: Choosing the Perfect Frame for Your Artwork

- Classic Frame: These frames, representing a timeless aesthetic, harmoniously complement a wide range of artistic styles. Generally crafted from wood or metal—materials renowned for their durability and elegance—these frames are particularly appreciated for framing traditional artworks such as paintings, drawings, lithographs, etchings, and other fine art prints. Their versatility is reinforced by the availability of a wide palette of finishes and colors, allowing collectors to select a frame according to the artwork being framed and to integrate it perfectly into their interior décor.

- Floating Frame: Recognized for its distinctive design, the floating frame features an open structure along the sides, creating the impression that the artwork is floating within the frame. This type of custom art framing offers a modern and minimalist presentation, enhancing the artwork without confining it within a traditional frame. American box frames are particularly suitable for canvases where the artist has extended the composition to the edges, as they reveal the painted sides and allow the artwork to be viewed in its entirety without alteration.

This framing technique is ideal for contemporary paintings or artworks that require a more discreet frame, allowing the artwork to express itself fully. The floating frame provides visual lightness and a touch of modernity while offering effective protection and enhancement of the artwork. By choosing this type of frame, collectors opt for a presentation that respects the aesthetic of the artwork while giving it a distinctive presence within the space.

- Carved Wooden Frame: Carved wooden frames are works of art in themselves, displaying finely sculpted motifs and decorative details directly carved into the wood. They add an additional artistic dimension to the presentation of an artwork, enhancing its overall appearance. The wide variety of styles available reflects the diversity of historical periods, artistic movements, and individual tastes.

These frames can range from simple and refined motifs to elaborate and highly detailed designs, offering many possibilities for enhancing all types of artworks. This type of frame is particularly appreciated for its ability to highlight or introduce a classical, formal, or traditional aesthetic to a work of art. They are perfectly suited for classical paintings, portraits, historical artworks, or any artwork requiring elegance and sophistication.

Carved wooden frames may also be used deliberately with contemporary artworks, creating a dialogue between modern art and traditional craftsmanship.

- American Box Frame: The American box frame is specifically designed for canvases mounted on stretcher bars. The artwork is fixed within the frame, leaving a visible space between the canvas and the structure of the frame.

This space creates a genuine floating effect while leaving the painted edges of the canvas visible, which is particularly suitable for artworks whose sides have been painted or worked on by the artist.

Usually crafted from wood and sometimes metal, the American box frame combines strength, elegance, and simplicity. Its clean design gives the artwork a strong presence while maintaining visual discretion. Available in a wide range of finishes and colors, it adapts equally well to contemporary interiors and more traditional spaces.

The quality of the wood used and the craftsmanship applied in the carving of these frames play a crucial role in their final appearance. Woods such as oak, walnut, or mahogany may be selected for their durability and natural beauty, while finishing techniques such as gilding, patina, or lacquer add richness and depth to the sculpted details.

Colors and Materials

The selection of the material and color of a frame depends not only on the style of the artwork but also on the atmosphere you wish to create within your space. Wooden frames, with finishes ranging from light oak to dark walnut, bring warmth and natural elegance, making them ideal for classic or rustic interiors. Metal frames, on the other hand, offer a more modern and minimalist appearance, perfectly suited to contemporary or minimalist interiors.

In addition, the quality of the finish plays a crucial role in the visual impact of the frame. Whether glossy, matte, patinated, or textured, every detail contributes to the final appearance of the framing.

It is also important to consider the impact of the frame on the artwork itself. A well-chosen frame should complement the artwork while enhancing it without dominating it.

Frame Color

White: A white frame provides refined elegance and works particularly well with modern and contemporary artworks.

Black: A black frame offers a classic and timeless appearance.

Gold: Gold frames bring sophistication and warmth and are ideal for classical artworks.

Frame Moulding Size

Small: Ideal for delicate artworks or when the frame should remain discreet.

Medium: Versatile mouldings suitable for most artworks.

Large: For imposing artworks, large mouldings provide strong visual presence.

Museum Glass, UV Protection & Mat Board: Archival Framing for Fine Art Prints

- Standard glass: This classic glass is commonly used in many types of frames. While it offers basic protection against dust, minor impacts, and some UV protection, it is not the most effective solution for preventing artwork from fading over time. It can also create reflections, which may interfere with viewing the artwork from certain angles or under certain lighting conditions.

- Anti-reflective glass: With a special coating applied to the glass, anti-reflective glazing significantly reduces glare and reflections, greatly improving visibility and clarity. It is ideal for spaces where natural or artificial light could create unwanted reflections on the artwork’s surface, allowing for a more comfortable and detailed viewing experience.

- UV-protective glass: Specifically designed to filter harmful ultraviolet rays (from 92% to 99%), UV-protective glass plays a crucial role in protecting artwork from fading and light-related deterioration. It is essential for long-term preservation, especially for light-sensitive works or pieces displayed in bright areas.

- Plexiglass (or acrylic): Plexiglass, lightweight and durable, is a popular alternative to traditional glass. Offering visual clarity comparable to glass, it is lighter and less likely to break, making it ideal for framing large artworks or works displayed in high-traffic areas where the risk of damage is higher. Plexiglass also offers around 90% UV protection, combining reduced weight with artwork preservation.

- Museum glass (or conservation glass): Offering superior UV protection (99%) and minimizing reflections, museum glass is often the preferred choice for framing high-value artwork, both artistically and historically. This type of glazing provides optimal viewing while delivering the highest level of protection against environmental factors that can affect the artwork over time.

Glass is generally considered UV-effective starting at 84% UV protection.

In short, choosing the right glazing for framing artwork depends largely on the environment where the piece will be displayed, the value of the artwork, and the preservation requirements. Each type of glass offers specific advantages, and it is important to select the option best suited to each artwork to ensure optimal protection and presentation.

Mat and Marie-Louise (inner liner)

- A Marie-Louise (or inner liner): The Marie-Louise is a thin, often decorative band placed inside the mat and framing the artwork directly. It adds an additional aesthetic dimension by creating a subtle, refined visual transition between the artwork and the mat. This liner can be chosen in a variety of colors and finishes to complement the artwork and add sophistication and finesse to the overall framing.

- A Mat: The mat is a key component of framing, designed to visually enhance and protect an artwork. Made from mat board, paper, or other quality materials, it is precisely cut to surround the artwork and placed between the artwork and the glazing. Choosing a mat is not limited to its practical function; it also includes an important aesthetic choice in terms of color, texture, and thickness, offering many options to personalize the look of the frame.

The mat is not only decorative; it plays several crucial roles in the presentation and conservation of the print:

- Showcasing the print: By creating space between the artwork and the frame, the mat provides an elegant presentation that highlights the print. It draws the viewer’s attention to the artwork and creates a visual setting that emphasizes its importance and beauty.

- Visual protection: The mat acts as a protective barrier between the print and the glass, preventing direct contact that could damage the artwork, such as condensation or sticking to the glazing.

- Aesthetic balance: The mat is also a tool for visually balancing the print with its frame. By choosing a color and texture that works well with the artwork and the frame, you can create visual harmony that enhances the overall presentation.

In summary, the mat and the Marie-Louise are essential elements that, when chosen and used with care, can transform the framing of an artwork into a richer visual experience while ensuring protection and optimal presentation.

Mat color

The mat creates space between the artwork and the frame, offering an elegant presentation and showcasing the print. It helps focus the viewer’s attention on the artwork by providing a distinct visual border. By choosing appropriate tones or textures, you can create visual harmony that complements the artwork.

Our Custom Art Framing Service

Convinced of the importance of investing in proper framing to enhance and preserve the brilliance of works on paper, we offer a framing service specifically designed to meet the particular needs of these delicate artworks.

In collaboration with several professional framers in Paris, we ensure that every detail is carefully considered to guarantee both the presentation and the protection of your art collection.

Custom framing in the gallery or remotely

Collectors visiting one of our two Paris gallery spaces benefit from a custom framing service, carried out by experienced artisan framers, in full respect of the artworks and archival conservation standards.

This service offers a very wide selection of frame mouldings, glazing options and finishes, allowing complete customization.
In our gallery spaces, framing options can be simulated directly on site using a curated selection of mouldings and mat boards to refine every detail of the final presentation.

Everything is possible, and this service is offered at cost price, down to the exact euro, reflecting our commitment to transparency and loyalty toward our collectors.

For acquisitions made remotely, whether through our website or email correspondence, the same level of care and expertise is naturally maintained.
Framing options can be simulated remotely, through photographs or during a video consultation (WhatsApp), with personalized guidance and a wide selection of mouldings and glazing options.

However, we would like to draw attention to the shipping constraints associated with large framed artworks using museum glass, which is inherently more fragile. In most situations, we therefore favor shipping with plexiglass, which offers optimal protection during transport.

In certain specific cases, particularly when the artwork has a significant heritage value and the framing includes museum glass, direct delivery by a member of our team may be arranged, either to your city or directly to your home, exclusively within France, to ensure the highest level of security.

This is a fully custom frame carefully crafted by an artisan framer. Production times may vary depending on the order and generally range from approximately 1 to 3 weeks.

Turnkey framing available exclusively online

We will soon introduce a turnkey framing service, available exclusively when placing an order through our website, designed for collectors seeking an elegant, immediate solution without complex decisions.

The frames are produced by artisan framers, following aesthetic and technical choices defined by the gallery, emphasizing balance, simplicity and the enhancement of the artwork.

The mouldings offered are in solid light oak, white wood or black wood, with plexiglass, and with or without a mat board.
These options are predefined and available exclusively online, without customization beyond the available selections, ensuring a clear and seamless purchasing experience.

For the sake of simplicity and transparency, the prices displayed on the website correspond to framing without a mat board, offered at cost price, down to the exact euro.

When the option including a mat board is selected, it is offered free of charge. This option increases the final dimensions of the frame and plexiglass, and is therefore provided at a loss, as part of a commitment to service and collector loyalty, rather than margin.

Finally, we would like to emphasize that the quality of this online framing service is strictly identical to that offered in our Paris galleries, both in materials and craftsmanship.