Framing Prints: Ready-to-Hang or Collector's Grade?
At Rob Starkey Art, every print ships unframed. There are two reasons for that. Frames are as subjective as the art itself—what feels right in one home might clash in another. And shipping framed prints adds cost and risk, while an unframed print keeps things safe, simple, and affordable.
But framing isn’t secondary. It decides how the art lives in your space. Here’s a guide to the five print sizes I offer—8×10, 11×14, 12×12, 16×20, and 18×18—so you can match each piece with the right frame, whether you’re a casual collector or building a serious archive.
8×10 Prints: Everyday Pop
Casual Collector
IKEA RÖDALM 12×16, black – includes a mat sized for 8×10.
Blick Gallery 11×14 – black wood profile, acid-free mat.
Both create a crisp border around smaller works like Bath Time!—affordable, ready-to-hang, and easy to swap into a gallery wall.
Serious Collector
American Frame Nielsen Metal Frames – custom aluminum with archival mats.
Tru Vue Optium Museum Acrylic – UV protection and anti-reflective clarity.
This approach preserves color and paper quality for decades.
11×14 Prints: Conversation Size
Casual Collector
Blick Emery Gallery Frame, natural wood – warm finish, fits 11×14 directly.
Blick Gallery 13×19 – clean black profile, acid-free mat.
Accessible and versatile, perfect for pieces like Hit the Target.
Serious Collector
Larson-Juhl Hardwood Frames – walnut or maple, museum finish.
Tru Vue Museum Glass – glare-free, nearly invisible.
A professional framer can cut an archival mat precisely, giving the work breathing space and longevity.
12×12 & 18x18 Prints: Square Format
Casual Collector
IKEA SANNAHED 19¾×19¾ – square frame, mat opening ~11½×11½, good for 12×12.
Blick Cool Modern Frame 15×15 – modern square clear frame with goldtone hardware.
Stylish and straightforward for square pieces.
Serious Collector
Nielsen Bainbridge Aluminum Frames – cut to exact square sizes.
Roma Moulding – luxury square wood frames.
Square prints often look best floated or with custom mats.
16×20 Prints: Statement Wall
Casual Collector
Many stock frames labeled 16×20 include mats cut for 11×14 or 12×16, which are too small. For a true 16×20 print, choose frames without a mat or with removable mats:
MCS Format Frame 16×20, black – slim edge, no mat, lets the art fill the frame.
Studio Décor Walnut Float Frame 16×20 – float-mount style, leaves a visual gap around the print.
West Elm Wood Gallery Frame, 16×20 – includes removable mats, can be used full-bleed.
These options let a piece like Workaholic dominate a wall without cropping.
Serious Collector
For archival protection and presentation:
Frame Destination Custom Floater Frames – built for 16×20, with museum-grade glazing options.
Roma Moulding – hand-finished hardwoods, luxury profiles.
Upgrade with Tru Vue Optium Museum Acrylic for UV and glare protection.
Collectors often prefer to frame 16×20 prints in a 20×24 frame with a custom archival mat opening cut to 15¾×19¾, giving the work space to breathe while protecting the edges.
Why It Matters
Leaving prints unframed keeps them more affordable and easier to ship, but it also leaves the choice in your hands.
Casual framing makes art accessible, stylish, and ready to hang today. Collector-grade framing uses archival mats, premium profiles, and museum glazing to safeguard the art and preserve its value.
Your frame sets the stage: is this print a quick way to upgrade a wall, or a long-term investment in your collection?
