When creating custom prints, whether on canvas, fine art paper, or metal, choosing the right border option can significantly enhance the artwork’s overall presentation. Borders not only frame the image but also provide balance, breathing room, and visual focus. At Giclee Fine Prints, we offer expert advice to help you navigate various border options for customizing your prints to perfection.
Why Borders Matter for Custom Prints
Adding a border to your prints serves both aesthetic and functional purposes. Borders can protect your artwork during handling, offer a clean space for framing, and create a visual separation between the artwork and its surroundings.
Key Benefits of Borders:
- Framing Assistance: Borders provide extra space for framing, ensuring the artwork is not obscured by the frame.
- Visual Focus: A well-sized border directs the viewer’s attention to the central image, making it more impactful.
- Protective Margin: For canvas, fine art paper, or metal prints, borders help protect the edges from damage during handling or mounting.
Types of Borders for Custom Prints
There are various border styles to choose from when customizing your prints, each offering a distinct look and feel.
White Border:
- Classic and Clean: A white border is the most common and timeless choice. It offers a neutral frame that doesn’t distract from the artwork and creates a professional finish.
- Best For: Photography, fine artworks, and prints that require a subtle, classic presentation.
Colored Border:
- Bold and Customizable: Adding a colored border can bring an additional element of design to your artwork. Choose a color that complements the tones in the artwork for a cohesive look.
- Best For: Canvas prints, digital art, or designs where an accent color enhances the overall aesthetic.
Mirror-Wrapped Border:
- Extended Image: For canvas prints, a mirror-wrapped border means that the edges of the artwork are mirrored and extended onto the sides of the canvas frame. This allows for a seamless continuation of the image without losing important details.
- Best For: Gallery-wrapped canvas prints where the sides of the canvas are visible, and the artwork needs to flow around the frame.
Image-Wrapped Border:
- Full-Image Display: Similar to the mirror-wrapped border, the image-wrapped border extends the artwork over the sides of the canvas. This style is ideal for gallery-wrapped canvases, creating a frameless look where the image is visible from all angles.
- Best For: Canvas prints intended for display without a traditional frame.
Standard Border Sizes for Different Print Types
The size of the border you choose should depend on the type of print and the size of the artwork. Here are some guidelines for common print formats:
Canvas Prints:
- No Border (Gallery-Wrapped): Gallery-wrapped canvas prints typically don’t require a visible border, as the image is stretched around the frame. However, adding a mirrored or image-wrapped border can enhance the look.
- 2 to 3 Inches: For framed canvas prints, a 2 to 3-inch border allows for easy framing without covering any part of the image.
Fine Art Paper Prints:
- 1 to 2 Inches: A 1 to 2-inch border is standard for fine art paper prints. This size provides enough space for framing and matting, ensuring that no part of the artwork is lost.
- Wide Borders (3+ Inches): Larger fine artworks may benefit from wider borders (3 inches or more), giving the print an elegant, high-end feel suitable for gallery displays.
Metal Prints:
- Frameless: Metal prints are often displayed without borders for a sleek, modern look. However, a small white or colored border can be added if the print is intended for framing.
- Minimal Border: If you choose to frame a metal print, adding a minimal border (around 1 inch) can help create a polished look without detracting from the image.
Choosing the Right Border for Your Artwork Style
The type of artwork or photography you are printing plays a key role in selecting the ideal border. Different genres and styles benefit from different border options.
Photography:
- White Border for Focus: A classic white border is ideal for photography, as it draws the viewer’s attention to the image without adding distractions.
- Colored Border for Accent: For more vibrant, modern photography, a colored border can create an artistic accent that enhances the overall presentation.
Fine Art:
- Wide Borders for Gallery-Style: Fine art prints, especially those printed on fine art paper, benefit from wider borders. This provides a professional, gallery-ready look, especially when paired with a frame.
- Textured Paper Borders: For high-end art printing, leaving the natural texture of the fine art paper as part of the border can add a touch of elegance.
Digital and Abstract Art:
- Mirror-Wrapped for Canvas: For digital art or abstract pieces printed on canvas, a mirror-wrapped border ensures no part of the artwork is cropped while maintaining a seamless look.
Matting Considerations for Framed Prints
If you’re framing your prints, matting is an additional consideration that can elevate the overall presentation. A mat acts as a second border between the artwork and the frame, providing depth and creating a balanced, professional look.
Key Matting Tips:
- Mat Color: Neutral-colored mats (white, off-white, or black) are popular choices for most artwork. They provide a clean, sophisticated border that complements a variety of art styles.
- Mat Width: The width of the mat should complement the border of the print. A wider mat can add drama and elegance, especially for fine artworks or photo prints intended for gallery display.
Custom Border Sizes for Unique Projects
Custom border sizes can be tailored to fit unique display spaces or specific framing requirements. Whether you’re working on a large-format canvas print or creating a custom-sized fine art paper piece, the border can be adjusted to suit your needs.
Custom Border Options:
- Oversized Borders: For large canvas or fine art paper prints, oversized borders can create a dramatic effect that adds grandeur to the artwork.
- Small Borders for Minimalist Designs: In some cases, a smaller, subtler border may be ideal, especially for minimalist or contemporary art where simplicity is key.
Contact Us
Our address is: 3816 Pioneer Trail Ste #3, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Email: Info@gicleefineprints.com
FAQs
A 1 to 2-inch border is standard for fine art paper prints, but larger artworks may benefit from a wider border (3 inches or more).
For gallery-wrapped canvas, you don’t need a visible border, but a mirror-wrapped or image-wrapped border works well. For framed canvas prints, a 2 to 3-inch border is recommended.
Yes, adding a colored border can enhance the design and complement the colors in your photo. It’s ideal for modern or digital art styles.
