To frame, or not to frame? We'll help you answer this question. - Sivertson Gallery (2024)

To frame, or not to frame? We’ll help you answer this question.

[Shown above, left to right: framed giclée paper print (white mat and black frame); framed letterpress paper print (black frame without mat); and framed canvas print standard frame colors. More info below.]

(Get 20% off all custom framing in our frame shop during January, February, and March — learn more here.)

Are you buying a print on paper—or giving a print as a gift? Consider finishing with a frame.

We’ve got a frame shop right here in our Grand Marais gallery staffed with experts ready to finish your piece of art. We are commonly asked: should I frame my art? Do I have to?

We’ve got frames for all art, handcrafted to order right here in Minnesota. Framing is an art in and of itself, and a good frame choice can greatly enhance the appearance of your art.

However, not every 2D artwork needs a frame.

We’ve outlined the basics to consider when purchasing your new art. Start with this question: Are you buying a PAPER or CANVAS art print?

• Paper prints need a frame for hanging and preservation. This includes giclée prints, original prints, and photo prints.
• Stretched canvas prints are ready to hang on your wall and do not require a frame.
• Dry-mounted canvas prints on our website have a wood frame choice of ebony black, chocolate brown, natural maple, or weathered gray.
• Dye sublimation metal prints are ready to hang on your wall and do not need framing. (All Christian Dalbec photo prints can be purchased as metal prints, for example.)

Standard framing for prints on PAPER

Works on paper—prints, photographs, and originals—demand a special set of considerations because of the perishable quality of the substrate (paper). You love your new artwork, so it only makes sense you’ll want to preserve it for a lifetime of enjoyment.

Most works on paper will require framing under glass for protection; using a decorative mat with the frame and glass is optional. (Matboard, with a cutout window, is laid over the art and prevents the glass from touching the surface of the artwork.)

Prior to framing, the artwork on paper must be mounted on a rigid support. “Conservation” mounting is strongly recommended—which is what we do here at the Sivertson frame shop. We use acid-free corner pockets and acid-free adhesives with archival foam board. (No Scotch tape or cheap cardboard is ever used in our frame shop!)

We offer two classic framing styles on our Sivertson fine art paper prints:

Fine art paper prints at Sivertson are framed using a white museum mat (approximately 4 inches wide) behind UV-protected “Conservation Clear” glass. A 3/4-inch black wood frame finishes the package. This is a popular and classic style widely used by artists and in museums. It looks great with all decorating styles in both home and business settings. All Sivertson paper prints are high-quality giclée prints.

Letterpress prints at Sivertson are framed to the edge of the print using a 3/4-inch black wood frame behind UV-protected “Conservation Clear” glass. There is no white mat included. All of Rick Allen’s letterpress prints will be finished in this style, along with many extra-large giclée poster prints.

Standard framing for prints on CANVAS

Our Sivertson canvas giclée prints are offered in “stretched canvas” and “dry mounted framed canvas” options. A painting or print on canvas, unlike works on paper, has a structure and shape all its own. Do you like the rougher style of stretched canvas, or do you prefer the more finished look of a framed canvas piece?

STRETCHED CANVAS PRINTS are ready to hang on your wall and do not need to be framed. This “unfinished” and authentic look is preferred by many as there is no frame to interfere with the original work. The exposed, wrapped, “mirrored” style canvas edges become part of the piece. Choosing stretched canvas is a design decision, and many people prefer this look.

DRY-MOUNTED FRAMED CANVAS PRINTS are available in four wood frame options to complement your image. On our framed canvas prints, you can choose ebony black, chocolate brown, natural maple, or weathered gray wood frames as shown below. Finishing with a frame creates a polished look for canvas prints. If you are showcasing many prints on the same wall, framing them all with the same wood can unify the collection, regardless of their style or subject.

All of our Mini Masterpiece canvas prints are dry mounted framed prints, with ebony black frames.

Not sure what you want or need in a frame? Custom framing is always an option

Framing is an art in and of itself. If you need framing guidance of any type — or prefer a custom framing style instead of our standard options — please call us at 218-387-2491. We have a frame shop on site, are happy to discuss the many possible options available to you, and welcome you to stop in and talk with our experts when you’re visiting Grand Marais.