Which Frame?
I don’t know about you, but I find framing all a bit confusing and overwhelming as there as so many options! There also seem to be different names for the same or almost-the-same type of frame. So, I have done some research and tried to condense it as simply as possible. If you know of any other names or styles, please let me know!
NAME OF FRAME: Gallery Wrap / Canvas Wrap / Museum Wrap
USE WITH: a canvas
‘Gallery Wrap’ and ‘Canvas Wrap’ is art painted on a canvas where the canvas wraps around the wooden frame. The canvas IS the frame. You can’t see the wooden frame from the outside. The artwork sometimes continues around the edges of the canvas. ‘Museum wrap’ is when the edges are painted one colour (below right) or a single colour tape or fabric can be wrapped around the edge to give the same effect. You can hang these immediately, using the wooden frame to rest on screws in the wall. Or, you can add brackets and wire to the frame from the back.
NAME OF FRAME: Box Frame / Shadow Box Frame / Picture Box Frame
USE WITH: 3D artwork; flat artwork using spacers to create a shadow
A Box Frame has a deep edge, usually a glass front and the artwork is placed at the back. It is commonly used when you have 3D artwork, where you need the work recessed away from the glass front. They can sometimes have a mount, which is at the front of the frame, between the artwork and the glass. You can also use ‘spacers’ or ‘liners’ to create a shadow effect. A spacer/liner is a wooden frame which sits under the picture or mount at the edges to lift the image away from the back of the picture frame.
NAME OF FRAME: Tray Frame / Canvas Frame / Canvas Tray Frame / Floating Frame
USE WITH: a canvas
This is used with a stretched canvas. The edges of the canvas don’t need to be painted as they will not be seen (although I couldn’t personally leave the edges unfinished!). It can be fitted snuggly to the frame or with a gap between the inner edge of the frame and the outer edge of the canvas. If you choose to have a gap, this will create the illusion of the painting "floating" within the frame (Floating Frame). There is no need for a glass front or for a hard backing. It may need attaching with glue or tape if it is not snug enough to stay in on its own (this will certainly be the case if you choose a Floating Frame). Some frames come with holes (as in last 2 pictures) which you can screw little screws into from the back of the frame into the wood on the back of the canvas.
NAME OF FRAME: Floating Frame for Panels / Coastal Tray
USE WITH: a panel board
These frames have the same effect as the Floating Frame in that it gives a space between the edge of the picture and the inner edge of the frame. As you are framing a panel, which is much less deep than a canvas, the back of the frame needs to be raised forwards which is the function of the inner frame you see in the 3rd and 4th pictures. This inner frame is not seen as the panel will cover it. You can attach the panel with glue or tape. Some frame companies (such as Picture Frames Express) call this a Coastal Tray which can be used as styled below with the panel board in front, or as a St Ives frame (see next section). This is because their Coastal Tray has a recess behind the inner frame which means you can place the panel behind it.
NAME OF FRAME: St Ives Frame / Coastal Tray
USE WITH: a panel board
This looks like a double frame. The artwork sits behind the raised edge in the middle. It has a wide, recessed part and then a narrow protruding edge to the frame. A small area around the edges of the painting will be obscured by the frame. It can also give a bit of a shadow on the artwork (see 3rd image below), which you may or may not want.
NAME OF FRAME: Picture Frame / Photo Frame / Mount Frame
USE WITH: flat artwork (paper, thin card, etc.)
These are your classic frames which can be used with or without a mount (mat). They come with a glass or Perspex cover to protect the artwork. This cover is essential if the artwork is in pencil, watercolour, pastels or charcoal. A cover is not always necessary for acrylic and not recommended for oil paintings.
Mounts (or mats) usually enhance the artwork, and you can even use double (or triple!) mounts. They can go in front (with an aperture) or behind the artwork. If you choose to put the mount behind the artwork, it is usually because you want to see the edges of the artwork (as in 3rd and 4th image below). If it is behind the artwork, ensure there is a gap between the artwork and the glass to avoid condensation or damage to the artwork.
