Framing Guide

Every Vintage Print Project print can be ordered framed and ready to hang, or unframed if you prefer to frame it yourself. This guide covers our frames, how to choose a finish and a size, and how to keep a framed print looking its best.

Our frames

Our frames are milled from Ayous wood, a lightweight and durable hardwood from sustainably sourced forests. The profile is 0.75 inches wide, deep enough to give the artwork a clean, gallery style edge without overwhelming it. Each framed print is finished with a clear Acrylite front protector, which is lighter and far more shatter resistant than glass, so framed pieces travel safely and hang securely. Hanging hardware is attached at the back, and framed prints arrive ready to hang straight out of the box.

Frames are offered in three finishes:

  • Black — A crisp, graphic edge. Works especially well with bold poster art, the dark backgrounds of the Italian Poster Style animal portraits, and black and white photography.
  • Red Oak — A warm natural wood tone. Suits vintage travel posters, WPA era prints, and any piece with warm or earthy colors.
  • White — Light and quiet. A good match for Japanese textile patterns, celestial charts, and airy botanical or coastal pieces.

Most prints are printed on archival matte paper at 189 g/m² with pigment inks, so framed or not, the artwork itself is made to last. A small number of pieces are offered framed only or unframed only; the product page always shows the options available for that piece.

Choosing a size

Start with the wall, not the artwork. A few rules of thumb that designers use:

  • Above a sofa, console, or headboard, choose a piece (or a grouping) that spans roughly two thirds of the furniture's width.
  • For a single statement piece, our 24 by 36 inch size fills a standard wall bay comfortably. The 12 by 18 inch size suits smaller walls, shelves, and gallery groupings.
  • For a gallery wall, keep spacing consistent, around 2 to 3 inches between frames, and lay the arrangement out on the floor or with paper templates before making holes.
  • Hang the center of the artwork at about 57 to 60 inches from the floor, roughly average eye level.

If you are between sizes, the larger size usually reads better once it is on the wall. Product pages list exact dimensions for each piece.

Hanging and care

  • Light: All prints fade eventually in harsh sun. Hang away from prolonged direct sunlight where you can, especially for pieces with deep saturated color.
  • Humidity: Avoid hanging framed prints where they will face constant steam or damp, such as directly above a stove or in an unventilated bathroom.
  • Cleaning: Dust the frame and front with a soft, dry cloth. If the Acrylite front needs more, use a soft microfiber cloth slightly dampened with water. Avoid ammonia based cleaners, which can cloud acrylic.
  • Unframed prints: Store flat and dry until framing, and handle by the edges to keep the matte surface clean.

Framing it yourself

Unframed prints in our standard sizes, such as 12 by 18 inches and 24 by 36 inches, fit standard ready made frames. For a more finished look, a local framer can add a mat; a white or off white mat with a slim wood frame suits most vintage artwork well.

Questions about a specific piece? Write to support@vintageprintproject.com. If you are buying for a client project, see our Trade Program.