How to Frame for Your Budget

We’ve all done it. A new artwork arrives at home alongside buckets of curatorial inspiration and good intentions. You’re buzzing to get it up on your walls to admire and, maybe, show off just a little bit. You’ve been pondering the purchase for ages and are so glad to have finally taken the plunge. You lean it against the wall, or perhaps roll it back up and pop it in a corner, and go and make yourself a celebratory cup of tea.

And there it stays for, apparently, eternity. Why? Because you forgot to budget for framing.

The time involved, the added expense; the fuss of framing can quickly add up to dragged heels and an unanticipated hole in your pocket. 

But, framing can be painless and affordable. Just knowing a few tips and tricks can make the process feel less of a financial hassle. That’s where we step in. Read on to learn how to (or how not to) frame the artworks you find at your next Affordable Art Fair with a budget in mind.

Mix or match?

Just before we get to budgeting, when it comes to framing, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is what style of frame will best suit your interior and, most importantly, the artwork itself. The frame you choose will have a huge impact on how to artwork is viewed. A classical, Baroque-inspired still life like Ronald Berger’s oil paintings arguably look best framed in traditional dark wood with lavish-looking gold edges. If this same artwork was framed in the style of Guy Gee’s matchstick print, the overall effect would be completely different and most likely suffer for it.

Or, maybe you’re someone who likes to do things a little differently. Mixing things up and thinking outside of the box (or frame) can have a really positive impact on an artwork. Minimal white or black frames are clean and modern, whereas extravagant gold frames give a nod to classic landscapes.

See how the same print by Haus of Lucy changes in nature within these two styles of frame. Which do you prefer? By comparing two very different aesthetics, it’s easier to fully realise the overall effect you want to achieve. 

To frame, or not to frame?

This is the killer question. Your exploration through the 1,000s of artworks at a fair shouldn’t just offer a wealth of artsy inspiration, but will also include all the specifications of each and every individual artwork. This includes whether the artwork you’re lusting over is framed, unframed or ready to hang, so you’re equipped with all the info you might need when it comes to extra expense. 

Th acrylic paintings of Jenny Fermor make use of the tray frame which is a great option if you want to go glass- or glaze-less. This is a relatively modern type of framing that achieves an effortless floating effect whilst protecting the canvas.

Whereas, Jasia Szerszynska’s prints are an example of artwork that comes pre-framed. These are sold in black frames, making use of a wider mounting board to give even more impact to her ‘Encounter’ collection when hung together. Opting for a pre-framed artwork means it arrives with you exactly how the artist and gallery believe it should be displayed. That’s right: ingenious curatorial points without any effort or extra spending.

It’s so easy to get swept up in the joy of purchasing a new artwork and let framing totally slip your mind. It can come as an unwelcome shock when you remember the extra cost involved if you haven’t budgeted for it.

It’s super important to take the cost of framing into consideration when purchasing a piece of fine art. Not only does it enhance the experience and add cohesion, but framing also preserves and protects so your artwork can last a lifetime.

However, you don’t have to be a million, billion or squillionaire to make smart framing choices…

Get into standard sizing

Framing on a budget is made easy if you purchase a print that comes in a standard size. Most supermarkets, department stores or anonymous Swedish flatpack furniture conglomerates will stock a range of standard size frames that you can pop a print straight into.

Sir Peter Blake’s ‘Tattooed People’ series all measure in roughly at A4, meaning that finding a suitable frame should be as easy as clicking ‘add to bag’.

Or, take a closer look at Ricky Byrne’s work to find his ‘Differential’ A3 screenprints. The colour selections are inspired by moments of impact in Byrne’s life and all work in harmony for a potential diptych or triptych hang in affordable, hassle-free frames.

Buy now, decide later 

An artwork that is described as ‘ready to hang’ means that it has already been framed or doesn’t necessarily need to be framed at all.

Ella Carty’s ‘Summer Fruits #3’ is the perfect example of an artwork that can push framing decisions or costs to the back of your mind. With the edges of the canvas having been painted, it’s ready to buy and hang without any fuss. If, at a later date, you were to decide that it needs some extra cohesion into your collection, then a tray or floating frame would easily work.  

Nicholas Bowlby’s circular forms also have painted edges that add to the overall effect of the work. On a white wall, they seem to glow, so covering these with a frame of any sort would take this element away. Even still, if you did want to frame it later, the option always remains open.

Oh, and remember, when it comes to installation, placement isn’t the only thing you need to consider. If you’re drilling any holes into your walls then watch out for electrical wires. If in any doubt, just speak to an electrician to be on the safe side.

And there you go! You’re all set with the top tips for buying art at our fairs with framing costs in mind. Whether you decide to make your next purchase framed or unframed, it’s always best to be prepared to avoid any artworks being left to the forgotten lands of your living room corner.

Main image: A shoot with Mylands for their colour of the year 2023.