How to Frame Printable Wall Art
Printable art is the quickest way to fill a bare wall, and a framed print makes an easy, personal gift. The difference between “printed at home” and “looks like a gallery print” comes down to a few choices: the right file for the frame, the right paper and a mat.
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Frame printable art in five steps
- Pick the frame, then the file. Choose the frame size first and download the file with the matching ratio, so nothing gets cropped.
- Print it. Print 8x10 and smaller at home on matte photo paper; send bigger sizes to a photo lab.
- Add a mat. A mat adds a border and makes the print look finished. Its opening is a little smaller than the print.
- Mount it flat. Hinge the print to the back of the mat at the top edge only, then clean the glass or acrylic.
- Hang it at eye level. Hang the center of the art about 57 inches from the floor, or 8–10 inches above a sofa or sideboard.
Step 1: Pick the frame first, then the file
Frames come in a handful of shapes, or ratios. A 4x6 and a 24x36 are both 2:3; an 8x10 and a 16x20 are both 4:5. If the file's ratio doesn't match the frame, part of the design gets cropped or you get uneven white edges. That's why our wall art sets include five ratios:
| File | Fits these frames |
|---|---|
| 2:3 | 4x6, 8x12, 12x18, 16x24, 20x30, 24x36 in (10x15 to 60x90 cm) |
| 3:4 | 6x8, 9x12, 12x16, 18x24 in (30x40, 45x60 cm) |
| 4:5 | 4x5, 8x10, 16x20 in (40x50 cm) |
| 11x14 | 11x14 in (28x36 cm) |
| ISO A | A5, A4, A3, A2, A1 (also 50x70 cm with a small crop) |
From the size guide in our abstract and botanical sets. Have a 5x7 frame? Print the ISO A file 5 inches wide: it comes out 7.08 inches tall, so trim a sliver off the bottom.
Step 2: Print it at home or at a photo lab
At home, most printers handle Letter or A4, which covers 5x7, 8x10 and A4 prints. Use matte photo paper, choose the matching paper type and the best quality in the print dialog, and print at 100% (no “fit to page”). An 8x10 fits on Letter paper with 0.25 inch to spare on each side and 0.5 inch at the top and bottom; trim it with a paper trimmer for straight edges.
At a photo lab or print shop, order anything bigger than Letter. Upload the full-resolution JPG, pick a matte or luster finish and check the crop preview before you pay. For sharp prints, aim for 300 pixels per inch:
| Print size | Pixels needed at 300 dpi |
|---|---|
| 5x7 in | 1,500 × 2,100 px |
| 8x10 in | 2,400 × 3,000 px |
| 11x14 in | 3,300 × 4,200 px |
| 16x20 in | 4,800 × 6,000 px |
| A4 | 2,480 × 3,508 px |
Step 3: Add a mat
A mat is the card border between the print and the frame. It gives the art room to breathe, makes a small print fill a bigger frame and keeps the paper off the glass. Mat openings are usually half an inch smaller than the print, so about a quarter of an inch tucks behind the mat on each side. Keep important details away from the very edges.
| Frame | Border (sides · top and bottom) | Typical mat opening | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8x10 in | 5x7 in | 1.5 in · 1.5 in | 4.5 × 6.5 in |
| 11x14 in | 8x10 in | 1.5 in · 2 in | 7.5 × 9.5 in |
| 16x20 in | 11x14 in | 2.5 in · 3 in | 10.5 × 13.5 in |
The border is measured to the edge of the print; the visible mat is a quarter inch wider on each side because of the overlap.
The classic choice is an 11x14 frame with a mat for 8x10, which suits our free Rainbow Arches print.
Step 4: Mount it so it stays flat
- Hinge the print to the back of the mat with a strip of acid-free tape along the top edge only, so the paper can hang and move with humidity. Photo corners work too. Regular tape yellows over time.
- Heavier paper ripples less than thin paper in a frame.
- Clean both sides of the glass or acrylic and check for dust before you close the back. Acrylic is lighter and safer in kids' rooms and hallways.
Step 5: Hang it at the right height
A common gallery rule of thumb is to hang art so its center is about 57 inches from the floor, roughly eye level. Above a sofa or sideboard, leave about 8 to 10 inches between the furniture and the bottom of the frame. For a gallery wall, keep 2 to 3 inches between frames and lay the arrangement out on the floor first, or tape paper templates to the wall. Light frames can go up with damage-free hanging strips (check the weight rating on the pack); heavier ones need a hook and a level.
Where to start
Try the free 8x10 Rainbow Arches print, then build a set with the 12-print Minimalist Abstract Wall Art Set or the 8-print Botanical Line Art Set. For more home printing tips, see how paper weights work.
Framing printable art FAQ
What is the best paper for printing wall art?
Matte photo paper or a heavyweight matte card. Matte paper has no glare under lamps and looks closer to a gallery print than glossy paper.
What resolution do I need to print wall art?
300 dpi for prints you'll see up close. An 8x10 print needs 2,400 × 3,000 pixels, which is the size of our free Rainbow Arches print.
Can I print an 8x10 on Letter paper?
Yes. An 8x10 fits on an 8.5 × 11 inch sheet with 0.25 inch to spare on each side and 0.5 inch at the top and bottom. Print at 100% and trim the edges.
Why does my print look darker than on screen?
A screen gives off light, while paper only reflects it, so prints always look a little darker. Choose your printer's matte paper setting and its best quality, and judge the result in daylight.
Does a print need a mat?
No, but a mat makes almost any print look more expensive, and it keeps the paper away from the glass.
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Minimalist Abstract Wall Art Set
12 mid-century boho prints as 300 dpi JPGs in 5 frame ratios, with a frame size guide.