Framing guide
Choosing a frame, a mount and a place on the wall
Our prints are sold unframed, which keeps the cost down and lets you choose something that suits your room. A-sizes are an international standard, so off-the-shelf frames are easy to find and inexpensive — no bespoke framing needed unless you want it.
Frame sizes at a glance
Buy a frame in the same A-size as the print. A frame described as "A3" is made to hold an A3 sheet.
| Frame to buy | Print size | Typical use | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | A1 frame | 594 × 841 mm | Statement piece, above a sofa or bed |
| A2 | A2 frame | 420 × 594 mm | Focal point in a smaller room |
| A3 | A3 frame | 297 × 420 mm | Hallways, kitchens, gallery walls |
| A4 | A4 frame | 210 × 297 mm | Desks, shelves, gallery walls |
| A5 | A5 frame | 148 × 210 mm | Shelf or desk, small groupings |
| A6 | A6 frame | 105 × 148 mm | Postcard scale, tight spaces |
With a mount or without?
A mount (the card border between print and frame) does two useful things: it gives the image breathing room, and it holds the paper slightly away from the glass, which matters for longevity. It also makes a print look considerably more expensive.
The catch is that mounted frames are sized by the outer dimension. A frame sold as "A3 with A4 mount" is an A3 frame whose aperture fits an A4 print — so for an A4 print you would buy that, not an A4 frame. Read the aperture size, not the frame size.
A useful rule: go up one A-size for the frame and mount your print inside it. An A3 print in an A2 frame with a mount looks deliberate and gallery-like.
Glass or acrylic
Standard glass is clear and cheap and scratches rarely. Acrylic is lighter and will not shatter, which is the sensible choice for large sizes, for children's rooms, and for anywhere above a bed. At A1, acrylic also makes the difference between a frame that needs a wall fixing and one that does not.
Non-reflective or museum glazing is worth considering only if the print will face a window or a bright lamp. It costs noticeably more.
Protecting the print
Our prints use pigment inks on archival paper, so they resist fading far better than standard photo prints. Two things still shorten their life: direct sunlight and damp. Avoid hanging opposite a south-facing window, and avoid bathrooms without ventilation.
If you are framing without a mount, ask for spacers, or accept that the paper will touch the glass. Over years, contact can cause the surface to stick in humid rooms.
How high to hang
The standard is eye level at the centre of the image, around 145–150 cm from the floor. The most common mistake is hanging too high. Above furniture, leave 15–25 cm between the top of the sofa or headboard and the bottom of the frame, so the two read as a group rather than as unrelated objects.
Gallery walls
Mixed A-sizes work well together because the proportions are identical — every A-size is the same shape. Keep gaps consistent, usually 5–8 cm, and lay the arrangement out on the floor before putting anything into the wall.
Where to buy frames in the UK
IKEA, Habitat, John Lewis, Dunelm, The Range and Wilko all stock A-size frames, as do Amazon and eBay. Independent framers are worth it for A1 and A2, where a heavier moulding makes a visible difference. Expect roughly £5–15 for a small high-street frame and £25–60 for a good A1.
A note on paper sizes
A-sizes are metric and are not the same as US sizes. A4 is not letter size, and A3 is not 11×17. If you are buying a frame from a US seller, check the millimetre measurements rather than trusting the name.