Every print in my shop comes in two versions: just the print, or framed and ready to hang. It's one of the questions I get asked most, usually right after "which size?", so here is how I would think about it. The short answer: go framed if it's a gift or you want it on the wall the day it arrives. Go unframed if you already have a frame or a framer in mind.
When a framed print makes sense
- You want it on the wall the day it arrives. Framed prints come with the hanging hardware already fitted. The swivel springs on the back mean you can hang it horizontally or vertically, so you can unwrap it, pick a wall and be done.
- It's a gift. A framed print is a finished object. Nobody wants to receive homework.
- You want it protected. The plexiglass front keeps dust and fingerprints off the print, and the wooden frame keeps the paper flat and safe for years.
When an unframed print makes sense
- You already have a frame you love, or a local framer you trust.
- You want a very specific look, like a thick oak frame or something to match the rest of your wall.
- Budget. The frame is a real part of the price, especially on larger sizes. Ordering the print on its own and framing it later is completely fine.
A small tip if you go unframed: standard sizes like A4, A3 and A2 fit off-the-shelf frames, so you won't need anything custom made.
Choosing a frame colour
All my frames are wooden, handmade in Italy, with a 1.5 cm profile up to A2 and a sturdier 2 cm profile from A1 upwards. You can choose between three colours:
- Black gives the boldest, most modern contrast. It's my go-to for high-contrast black and white prints like Guiding Light at Dusk.
- White feels fresh and gallery-like, and disappears nicely on a white wall. Lovely with softer colour work like Coastal Bloom.
- Grey is the most neutral of the three and works with both black and white and colour prints. If you can't decide, grey rarely gets it wrong.
Passe-partout or no passe-partout?
A passe-partout (or mat, or border) is the band of card between the print and the frame. It gives the photo some breathing room and makes the whole piece look more like it belongs in a gallery. It makes the biggest difference on smaller prints, where an A4 suddenly feels a lot more substantial.
- White is crisp and classic.
- Freja (off-white) is a little warmer and softer, beautiful next to warm colour prints like Salinas.
- Black is moody and dramatic, best with dark black and white work.
My quick rule
If you're stuck: go framed, pick black or grey, and add a white passe-partout on anything A3 or smaller. It works in almost every room. And if you're still not sure, snap a photo of your wall and send it to contact@vanhilstvisuals.com. I'm happy to give you my honest opinion.
Browse the Black & White and Colour collections to see every print with all frame options.
