How to frame a printable and hang it straight

6 min read · Framing · Updated September 2026

A download in a considered frame reads as expensive. The same file taped inside a warped plastic frame reads as a cheap one. Framing is where printables are won or lost.

Buy the frame first

Frames exist in fixed sizes; your download covers 24 of them. Choose the frame, then print the file that matches — in that order, custom framing never enters the conversation.

Mats: one size down, and a wider bottom

A mat is the cheapest upgrade in framing. It separates artwork from glass, adds visual weight, and hides the printed margin. The convention is to print one size down from the frame: an 11×14 frame with an 8×10 mat opening, or A3 with an A4 opening.

Mat width — 2 to 3 inches reads gallery; under 1.5 inches looks accidental.
Colour — off-white or warm white. Coloured mats date fast and fight the artwork.
Weighted bottom — on large pieces, make the bottom border slightly wider than the top; it corrects the optical illusion that art sits low in its frame.

Glass or acrylic

Up to 16×20, glass is fine and cheaper. Above that, acrylic is worth it: a fraction of the weight, no shatter risk, and far easier to hang on drywall. If the wall faces a window, look for anti-reflective — and print matte, per the paper guide.

Hanging straight, in one pass

Decide the centre height — 57 inches on an empty wall, or 6–8 inches above furniture (the numbers).
Mark the centre line on the wall in pencil.
Measure from the top of the frame down to the taut hanging wire — that distance is your drop.
Hook height = centre height + half the frame height − drop. One hole, level the first time.
For anything over 10 lb or wider than 24 inches, use two hooks about a third in from each edge — it hangs level and stays level.

Hardware by wall type

Wall	Under 5 lb	Over 10 lb
Drywall, no stud	Adhesive strips or a picture hook	Toggle or self-drilling anchor
Drywall on a stud	Nail into the stud	Screw into the stud — always best
Plaster	Pre-drill, then a hook	Plaster anchor, pre-drilled
Brick or concrete	Brick clip	Masonry anchor and screw
Rental, no holes	Adhesive strips, rated above the weight	Leaning on a shelf or picture rail

Mount the print, not just the frame. Two small pieces of acid-free tape at the top corners of the print, hinged to the mat, hold it flat and let it expand. Tape on all four sides makes paper ripple.

Questions we get asked

Do I need a mat?

Not strictly, but it is the single change that most makes a printable look like a gallery print — and it keeps the paper off the glass, which prevents sticking over time.

Which is better, glass or acrylic?

Glass is cheaper and clearer at small sizes. Above 16×20, acrylic is lighter, safer and easier to hang, which usually matters more than the marginal clarity difference.

How do I hang two prints evenly?

Keep an identical 2–3 inch gap between frames and hang from a shared centre line rather than matching top edges, so differing frame heights still read as level.

Can I frame prints without drilling?

Yes — adhesive hanging strips rated above the frame's weight work well up to about 16×20 on clean, painted drywall. Clean the wall with alcohol first and press for 30 seconds.