A print can look completely different depending on how it is framed. The same watercolor fox can feel modern in a thin black frame, cozy in warm oak, or quietly luxurious with a deep cream mat. Custom framing is lovely but expensive, and the good news is that with a little knowledge you can frame most prints beautifully at home using ready-made frames.

Know Your Standard Sizes

Most prints and ready-made frames come in standard sizes, which makes matching them much easier.

• Inch sizes (common in the US): 5×7, 8×10, 11×14, 16×20, and 18×24.
• ISO paper sizes (common in the UK and Europe): A5, A4 (about 21 × 29.7 cm), A3, and A2.
• Ratios matter. An 8×10 and an A4 print have different proportions, so an A4 print will not sit neatly in an 8×10 frame without cropping or a mat. Check before you buy.

If you buy digital downloads, many artists supply several ratios so you can print to fit a standard frame.

Why a Mat Makes Such a Difference

A mat, sometimes called a mount, is the card border between the artwork and the frame. It does three jobs. It gives the art breathing room, which instantly makes it look more considered and expensive. It lets a smaller print fill a larger frame; an 8×10 print in an 11×14 frame with a mat is a classic combination. And it keeps the surface of the print from touching the glass, which protects it from moisture and sticking over time.

For anything you care about, choose acid-free or archival mat board. Cheaper boards can yellow and gradually discolor the paper they touch. Off-white and soft cream mats flatter watercolors; bright white can look stark next to warm, earthy palettes.

Glass or Acrylic?

• Glass is clear, scratch-resistant, and feels premium, but it is heavier and can break.
• Acrylic (plexiglass) is lighter and shatter-resistant, making it the safer choice for large frames, children’s rooms, and nurseries, though it scratches more easily.
• UV-protective glazing, available in both, blocks much of the ultraviolet light that fades paper and pigments over time. It is worth considering for any print hung in a bright room.
• Anti-reflective options reduce glare if a frame faces a window.

Matching Frame Style to Art

Natural wood such as oak, ash, or walnut is the classic partner for woodland and botanical watercolors. Its warmth echoes the subject matter and suits cottagecore and rustic rooms perfectly.

Thin black or dark bronze frames give botanical studies a crisp, vintage field-guide feel, and pair well with darker, dark-academia-leaning interiors.

White or painted frames keep things light and airy in nurseries and small rooms.

Ornate or antique gold frames bring a charming, thrift-store-treasure contrast to simple animal illustrations, especially in a mixed salon-style wall.

Framing a Print Step by Step

1. Work on a clean, soft surface and wash your hands, or wear cotton gloves.
2. Clean both sides of the glass with a lint-free cloth.
3. Position the print behind the mat and secure it along the top edge only with acid-free hinging tape, so the paper can expand and contract naturally.
4. Place the glass, mat, print, and backing board into the frame, checking for dust as you go.
5. Close the tabs, attach the hanging hardware, and add small bumpers to the back corners.

Protecting Prints Over Time

• Avoid hanging prints in direct sunlight, which fades even good pigments.
• Keep art away from radiators, fireplaces, and steamy bathrooms.
• Check older frames every few years for dust or signs of damp.

Ready to hang your framed prints? Follow our guide to styling a woodland nursery or learn about the medium itself in a brief history of watercolor painting.

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Our watercolor prints come in standard sizes that fit ready-made frames, available in our Etsy shop, NaturalEMNB.