Framing your giclee fine prints is essential to preserve their quality, enhance their presentation, and protect them from damage over time. Whether you’re displaying artwork, photography, or personal prints, choosing the right materials and techniques for framing ensures your print will remain vibrant and protected. At Giclee Fine Prints, we specialize in providing the perfect framing solutions to make your artwork shine.
Selecting the Right Frame for Your Giclee Prints
The frame you choose should complement the artwork without overpowering it. Frames come in a variety of materials, from wood to metal, each offering a different aesthetic that can enhance your print.
Wood Frames:
- Classic and Timeless: Ideal for traditional or fine art giclee prints, wood frames offer a warm, elegant touch.
- Variety of Finishes: Available in natural wood tones or painted finishes, wood frames can suit both rustic and refined spaces.
Metal Frames:
- Modern and Sleek: Metal frames offer a minimalist, contemporary look, making them a great option for modern photography and abstract prints.
- Durability: Metal frames are strong and lightweight, ideal for large-scale prints.
Best For:
- Wood frames are best for classical or traditional artwork.
- Metal frames work well for modern photography or abstract art.
Use Archival-Quality Materials
Preserving the longevity of your giclee prints requires archival-quality materials. These materials are acid-free and help prevent the deterioration of your print over time.
Key Tips:
- Archival Mat Board: Acid-free mats protect the print from direct contact with the glass or frame, preventing damage from acidic materials.
- Archival Backing: Use acid-free backing boards to support the print and keep it from warping.
- Conservation-Grade Mounting Tape: Secure your print with archival tape or hinging methods to prevent damage during the framing process.
Best For:
- Fine art giclee prints that require long-term preservation, ensuring that the colors and details remain intact for years to come.
Incorporate UV-Protective Glazing
One of the most important aspects of framing a giclee print is the glazing. Whether you choose glass or acrylic, ensuring that the glazing has UV protection is essential to prevent your print from fading over time due to sunlight exposure.
Key Glazing Options:
- UV-Protective Glass: Helps protect the artwork from harmful UV rays and is perfect for smaller or gallery-quality pieces.
- Acrylic (Plexiglass): Lighter and shatter-resistant, acrylic is ideal for large frames. Choose UV-protective acrylic to safeguard your prints from fading.
- Non-Reflective Options: Non-reflective glazing reduces glare, improving visibility and enhancing the viewing experience.
Best For:
- Prints displayed in rooms with natural light, where UV exposure could potentially fade the artwork.
Consider the Importance of Matting
Matting is not just for decorative purposes; it also helps preserve the print by preventing it from coming into direct contact with the glass or acrylic glazing. Mats provide a visual buffer that enhances the overall appearance of the framed artwork.
Key Tips:
- Neutral Colors: Stick to neutral tones like white, off-white, or gray for a timeless, gallery-quality look.
- Wide Matting for Impact: A wider mat (2-4 inches) adds an elegant, gallery-ready appearance, making the artwork the central focus.
- Double Matting: Using a second inner mat in a complementary color can add depth and sophistication.
Best For:
- High-quality giclee prints that need a polished, professional presentation.
Choosing Between Canvas and Paper Giclee Prints
Framing techniques differ depending on whether your giclee print is on canvas or fine art paper.
Canvas Giclee Prints:
- Gallery-Wrapped Canvas: This frameless option allows the image to wrap around the edges of the canvas, creating a modern and clean presentation.
- Floating Frames: A floating frame gives the illusion that the canvas is floating inside the frame, adding a sleek, contemporary look without covering the canvas edges.
Fine Art Paper Giclee Prints:
- Framed with Matting: Fine art paper giclee prints look great with a traditional frame and mat, providing a classic look that highlights the artwork’s details.
- Archival Mounting: When framing fine art paper, it’s important to use archival-quality materials to prevent damage and preserve the print’s vibrancy.
Best For:
- Canvas prints work well in minimalist, contemporary spaces, while fine art paper prints benefit from a more traditional framing style with matting.
Selecting the Best Frame Style to Match Your Artwork
The frame style should complement the artwork and its surrounding decor. Consider the tone and subject matter of the artwork when choosing the frame.
Key Tips:
- Minimalist Frames for Modern Art: Sleek, minimalist frames in neutral tones like black or white are perfect for modern or abstract prints.
- Ornate Frames for Classic Art: For traditional or classical giclee prints, choose ornate wood frames in rich tones like gold, bronze, or mahogany for an elegant touch.
- Contrasting Colors: If you want to make a statement, choose a frame color that contrasts with the artwork, highlighting key elements of the piece.
Best For:
- Modern art prints benefit from simple, sleek frames, while classical or fine art reproductions look best with more ornate frames.
Hanging Tips for Your Giclee Prints
Once your giclee print is framed, proper hanging is key to displaying it beautifully. Consider the placement and lighting to enhance the artwork’s presentation.
Key Tips:
- Hang at Eye Level: The center of the artwork should be about 57-60 inches from the floor to ensure it’s at eye level for most viewers.
- Consider Lighting: Proper lighting can enhance the colors and details of your print. Use adjustable gallery lights to highlight the artwork.
- Secure with the Right Hardware: For larger prints, use strong wall anchors or picture hooks to ensure the frame is securely mounted.
Best For:
- Home and gallery displays where the artwork will be the focal point of the room.
Contact Us
Our address is: 3816 Pioneer Trail Ste #3, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Email: Info@gicleefineprints.com
FAQs
Wood frames provide a classic look, while metal frames offer a modern, minimalist aesthetic. Choose based on the style of the artwork and the space where it will be displayed.
Yes, UV protection is essential for preserving the vibrant colors of giclee prints, especially if they will be displayed in well-lit or sun-exposed areas.
Canvas prints are often framed without glass and can be gallery-wrapped or placed in floating frames, while fine art paper prints typically require matting and protective glazing.
