You've found the perfect artwork, downloaded the files—now what? You're staring at a beautiful digital print on your screen, imagining it on your wall, but suddenly you're faced with a dozen questions: What frame material? What size? Do I need matting? Where do I even buy frames?
One of the most common questions we get is how to frame digital art to make it look professional and high-end—like something you'd see in a boutique gallery, not a dorm room.
The good news? Our printable wall art is designed to fit standard frame sizes, making it easy and affordable to create your dream gallery wall without custom framing costs. Even better news? With the right choices, your $15 digital print can look just as sophisticated as a $500 framed original.
Here's everything you need to know about turning downloaded art into gallery-worthy decor.
1. Choose the Right Frame Material:
It Changes Everything
The frame material you choose doesn't just hold your art—it sets the entire mood of the piece. Think of it as the difference between wearing sneakers or heels with the same dress. Same outfit, completely different vibe.
Natural Wood Frames
Best for: Warm, organic, cozy interior spaces and botanical prints
Light oak, pine, or bamboo frames bring warmth and texture. They're perfect for our Golden Meadow collection or any botanical art with earthy tones. Wood frames make a space feel grounded and lived-in rather than sterile.
Psychology note: Wood tones actually reduce visual stress because our brains recognize them as natural elements. They're especially effective in bedrooms and living rooms where you want to feel relaxed.
Where they work best: Scandinavian-style homes, farmhouse aesthetics, or any space using a muted color palette with beiges, creams, and soft greens.
Classic Metal Frames
Best for: Modern, minimalist, and gallery-style walls
Thin black metal frames are the LBD (little black dress) of the art world—they work with everything and never go out of style. Gold or brass metal frames add a touch of elegance and pair beautifully with sage green or dusty pink walls.
Metal frames have crisp, clean lines that make the art the star. They're also lighter than wood, which matters if you're creating a large gallery wall.
Where they work best: Modern apartments, home offices, or anywhere you want a sophisticated, uncluttered look.
White Frames
Best for: Making colors pop and creating cohesion
White frames are magical for one specific reason: they create a "visual pause" between your art and the wall color. If you have darker walls (navy, charcoal, forest green), white frames make the artwork jump forward rather than blend in.
They're also perfect for creating a cohesive gallery wall with mixed art styles—the uniform white frames tie everything together even when the prints are different.
Where they work best: Eclectic gallery walls, kids' rooms, or spaces where you want the art colors to be the focal point.
2. The Magic of Mat Boards (Passe-Partout):
The Secret Professionals Use
Here's the truth: matting is what separates amateur framing from designer-level presentation. If you want your sanctuary home to look like a gallery, don't skip this step.
What Is Matting?
A mat board (called passe-partout in French) is that border of paper between your print and the frame edge. It's usually white or cream, though it can be any color.
Why It Makes Such a Difference
Creates breathing room: The white space prevents your art from feeling cramped or cluttered. Your eye rests on the mat before moving to the image, which makes the viewing experience more intentional.
Adds perceived value: A matted print simply looks more expensive. It's the difference between a poster and art. The same $20 print framed without matting looks casual; with matting, it looks curated.
Protects the art: Practically speaking, the mat creates space between the glass and the print, preventing moisture damage and that stuck-to-glass look over time.
Standard Matting Guidelines
- For small prints (8x10" or smaller): Use a 2-3 inch mat border
- For medium prints (11x14" to 16x20"): Use a 3-4 inch mat border
- For large prints (20x30"+): You can go narrower (2 inches) or skip matting if the frame is substantial
Pro tip: The bottom border of the mat is traditionally slightly wider than the top and sides (by about ½ inch). This prevents an optical illusion that makes bottom-weighted images look like they're sliding down.
3. Understanding Standard Frame Sizes:
Work Smarter, Not Harder
Custom framing can cost $100-300 per piece. Standard frames? $15-40. The secret is designing or ordering your prints in standard sizes from the start.
The Most Common Standard Sizes:
- 8x10 inches (perfect for smaller walls or grouped arrangements)
- 11x14 inches (the sweet spot for most spaces)
- 16x20 inches (statement pieces above furniture)
- 18x24 inches (large focal points)
- 24x36 inches (dramatic impact for big walls)
Our printable wall art collections are formatted for these exact sizes, which means you can walk into IKEA, Target, or shop Amazon and find dozens of affordable options that fit perfectly.
The Frame + Mat Size Formula
Here's where it gets slightly tricky: if you want matting, your frame needs to be larger than your print.
Example: You have an 8x10" print and want a 2-inch mat border.
- Your print: 8x10"
- Your frame needs to be: 12x14" (to accommodate the print + mat)
Most craft stores sell pre-cut mats, or you can buy a frame with matting included. Just match the print size to the mat opening, not the frame size.
4. Where to Find Frames:
Our Favorite Sources
You don't need custom framing to get beautiful results. Here are our go-to sources for home decor inspiration that won't break the budget:
Budget-Friendly Options:
- IKEA: The RIBBA and KNOPPÄNG frames are design classics for a reason. They come with mats and look far more expensive than they are.
- Target: The Threshold line offers great wood and metal options, and they're often on sale.
- Amazon: Endless variety, and you can read reviews to see how they look in real homes.
Mid-Range Options:
- West Elm: Beautiful brass and wood frames when you want to splurge on key pieces.
- Framebridge: Not custom pricing, but higher quality than mass market.
DIY Matting:
- Michaels or Hobby Lobby: Buy pre-cut mats or get them cut to size (often on sale for 50% off).
Coming soon: We're curating a specific list of our favorite frame-and-mat combinations for each of our art collections. Subscribe to be the first to know!
5. The Printing Question:
Where and How
You've downloaded your digital art—now where should you print it?
For Best Quality:
Local print shops (FedEx, Staples, local photo labs): Upload your file, select "photo print" or "fine art print" on cardstock or matte photo paper. Costs typically $3-15 depending on size.
Online print services (Printful, Shutterfly, Mpix): Higher quality options like giclee printing on archival paper if you want museum-grade results.
Print Settings That Matter:
- Paper: Choose matte or semi-gloss for art prints (glossy looks too much like photos)
- Resolution: Our files are high-resolution, but confirm the print shop uses at least 300 DPI
- Color profile: Ask for sRGB or Adobe RGB for accurate colors
Pro tip: Print one test copy at a smaller size first if you're unsure about how the colors will translate to paper. It's cheaper to test an 8x10 than discover a 24x36 doesn't look right.
6. Before You Frame:
The Planning Stage
Here's a designer secret: decide where the art will hang before you print and frame. This single step prevents expensive mistakes.
Consider These Factors:
Wall color: A small print in a large white frame with wide matting can become a stunning focal point on a dark wall. The same print in a thin frame disappears.
Furniture below: Art should be roughly 2/3 the width of the furniture beneath it (sofa, console table, bed). A tiny frame above a king bed looks lost.
Lighting: North-facing rooms need warmer frame tones (wood, gold). South-facing rooms can handle cooler metals and white.
Height: The center of your art should be at eye level (57-60 inches from the floor). With matting, this might mean hanging the frame higher than you think.
Gallery Wall Planning:
For multiple frames, lay them out on the floor first. Take a photo. Live with it overnight. Rearrange if needed. Then start hammering nails.
The 2-3 inch rule: Frames in a gallery wall should be 2-3 inches apart for visual breathing room without feeling disconnected.
Your Art Deserves to Shine
Framing digital prints isn't complicated—it just requires a few intentional choices. The right frame material sets the mood. Matting adds sophistication. Standard sizes save money. And planning before you print prevents regrets.
The beauty of printable wall art is the flexibility: you can print multiple sizes, try different frame combinations, and change your gallery wall with the seasons—all without the commitment and cost of original art.
Ready to see your walls transformed? Download our botanical print collections and start creating your gallery. And if you want to skip the guesswork on color entirely, The Light & Airy Apartment System will help you choose wall colors that make your framed art look its absolute best.
FAQ: Framing Digital Art Questions Answered
Can I frame digital art without glass?
You can, but it's not recommended for longevity. Glass (or acrylic) protects prints from dust, moisture, UV damage, and fingerprints. If you're going glass-free for a casual look, use a heavyweight cardstock print and plan to replace it every year or two. For art you want to last, always use glazing.
What's the difference between a poster frame and an art frame?
Poster frames are designed for mass-produced posters and typically have thin profiles, no matting option, and lightweight materials. Art frames (also called gallery frames) have deeper profiles to accommodate mats, better quality glass, and sturdier construction. For digital prints you want to look professional, invest in art frames—the difference is immediately visible.
Should all frames in a gallery wall match?
Not necessarily! Matching frames create cohesion and work beautifully for a clean, modern look. But mixing frame styles (all wood in different finishes, or wood + metal) can look intentionally eclectic if you maintain one unifying element—usually the mat color (all white/cream) or a consistent spacing pattern. When in doubt, buy 2-3 of the same frame and build from there.
How do I hang heavy frames without damaging walls?
For frames over 10 pounds, use two D-rings (hanging hardware on the back of the frame) and two wall hooks rather than wire. This distributes weight evenly. Use anchors rated for your wall type (drywall anchors, toggle bolts, or wall studs). Picture hanging strips (like Command strips) work for lighter frames but check the weight rating carefully. When creating a gallery wall, a laser level is worth every penny.
Can I use digital art in humid rooms like bathrooms?
Yes, but take precautions. Use frames with acrylic rather than glass (it won't fog), ensure the print is sealed with a fixative spray before framing, and choose prints with waterproof ink if printing at home. Alternatively, stick to bathrooms with good ventilation and avoid hanging directly above steamy showers. Botanical prints actually work beautifully in powder rooms and well-ventilated bathrooms—just protect them properly.