Our Frame of Mind

Your art. Your Standards. Your way.

Starting a new DIY project can feel like a big step. Framing your own artwork is no exception.

You’ve invested time, talent, and resources into your work. Maybe you traveled to capture a landscape. Maybe you spent months refining a series for exhibition. However it came to life, the frame completes the presentation, protects the piece, and prepares it for display or sale.

Framing is the final step in your creative process.  How you approach it reflects your standards, your artistry and intention.

For working artists especially, maintaining quality while managing costs is part of the business. DIY framing offers a way to do both.

The Pros of DIY Framing

Creative Control

When you frame your own work, you remain fully in control of the final presentation.

From moulding style and finish to mat color and proportion, every detail supports your artistic vision. With hundreds of frame and mat options available, you can create a presentation that complements your work exactly as you intended.

DIY framing keeps your vision intact from start to finish.

Explore a wide range of frame styles and finishes, from classic to modern, all professionally crafted to suit your artwork and space.

Cost Savings

Professional framing includes labor as a significant portion of the price. When you assemble your own frames, you remove that expense while still using professional-grade materials.

This allows you to extend your budget and frame more work without compromising quality. For artists preparing for exhibitions, galleries, or online sales, those savings compound quickly. Read our Guide to Frame Costs here.

Quality Control

Artists and collectors understand the importance of archival materials.

When you manage the framing process yourself, you can select conservation-grade mats, backing, and glazing that help protect your work for years to come. You know exactly what goes into each piece and how it is assembled.

The finished presentation reflects the same care and craftsmanship as the artwork itself.

A thoughtfully chosen frame and mat elevate the artwork, reflecting the same level of care and craftsmanship in the final presentation.

Quick Turnaround

Timing matters.

Ordering custom-cut frames and mats directly allows you to plan with confidence. With American Frame’s fast production times, your materials can arrive within days, depending on your shipping method.

For especially tight deadlines, our Customer Service team can assist with Same-Day Shipping options that have supported artists and photographers for decades.

Reliable turnaround helps you meet exhibition dates, client commitments, and installation schedules without added stress.

Gaining a New Skill

Custom framing is more approachable than many expect.

With precision-cut components and clear instructions, assembly becomes efficient and repeatable. As with any skill, experience builds confidence.

Many artists find framing their own work deepens their understanding of presentation and proportion. It becomes a natural extension of the creative process.

 

"Framing shapes the viewer’s first impression and guides how they visually enter the artwork. The right frame can create balance, encourage longer viewing, and reinforce the mood of the piece. American Frame designs frames to act as a visual transition between the artwork and its environment." -American Frame Featured Artist, Kathleen Streitenberger

 

DIY framing requires careful measuring, the right tools, and attention to detail to achieve a secure and polished result.

Cons of DIY Framing

Fear of Mistakes

Any new process requires attention to detail.

Accurate measuring, thoughtful material selection, and careful assembly are important. When your artwork matters to you, precision matters too.

The good news is that guidance is always available.

How to Overcome the Challenges

Free Material Samples

Seeing materials firsthand provides clarity.

American Frame offers free samples of mouldings and mat boards so you can evaluate color, finish, and quality before placing your order. Reviewing options in person helps you make decisions with confidence.

Online Design Tools

Our online Frame Designer allows you to preview your artwork in a range of frame and mat combinations as you make your selections.

You can test proportions, explore color pairings, and refine your presentation before committing. It is a practical and engaging way to make informed choices. As you play with design, save your options using our Wish Lists for easy reference and comparison as you plan your custom frames.

Save and organize your favorite pieces with wish lists, making it easy to revisit, compare, and plan your framing project.

Expert Guidance

American Frame was founded on making DIY framing accessible to artists and photographers who value professional results. Since 1973, we have helped millions frame their work with confidence.

Our knowledgeable Customer Service team works alongside our production staff and is available by phone, email, or virtual appointment during business hours. After hours, you can chat with our AI assistant or visit our Knowledge Base for helpful resources. Emails and voice messages are returned by the next business day.

If you are near our Maumee, Ohio production facility, you can also schedule an in-person visit.

We take pride in customer satisfaction and in putting you first. We are here to guide you through measuring, material selection, and assembly so your finished piece reflects your standards and aesthetic.

Our U.S.-based customer service team is here to help, offering knowledgeable, in-house support whenever you need it.

Framing your own artwork is about maintaining quality, managing costs, and presenting your work with intention.

When the materials are right and the craftsmanship is sound, the final presentation stands with the art itself.

Crafted by you. Built by us. Displayed with confidence.

DIY Framing - Frequently Asked Questions 

Q. How do I accurately measure my art for framing?

A. Measure the height and width of the image area you want visible in the mat board opening. Record those measurements before you begin designing your frame. 

If you are framing without a mat, measure the full paper size and use those exact dimensions when placing your order.

For canvas artwork, measure the height and width of the canvas, and also, the depth of the stretcher bars. Knowing the depth helps you choose a frame profile that provides the look and coverage you want.

For step-by-step guidance, visit our measuring guide.

Q. How do I assemble my frame?

A. American Frame components are accurately PrecisionCut™ and designed for straightforward assembly. 

For metal frames, the frame rails (top and sides) are joined at each corner using the provided corner hardware and tightened with a screwdriver. Your artwork, mat, and backing are then slid into the frame before securing the bottom, or the 4th rail, and secured. Watch here. 

For wood frames, the frame arrives already joined. You simply place the artwork package inside and secure it with the provided hardware. Watch here.

Detailed assembly instructions are included with every order. DIY framing for artists is our specialty and we are here to assist you at every step.

 
Q. Do I need additional tools to assemble my frame?

A. In most cases, a screwdriver is the only tool required. 

For metal frames, the screwdriver tightens the corner hardware. Helpful supplies include linen tape for mounting artwork and acrylic cleaner for maintaining glazing.

For wood frames, the included hardware allows you to secure the artwork with only a screwdriver. Artists who frame frequently may choose to use a point driver, which makes framing with wood more efficient and enjoyable.

To achieve the look of wood with the ease of metal, we offer a selection of wood veneers on minimalist metal within Ridgeline Profile 34.

 
Q. How do I mount my art within the frame?

A. Artwork is typically mounted to the backing board or mat board using archival mounting materials.

Common mounting methods include:

Linen hinging tape for conservation mounting
Double-sided framer’s tape for general mounting
Mounting keeps the artwork properly positioned within the frame and helps prevent shifting over time.

If you are mounting a canvas onto a canvas float (or floater) frame, you will attach the canvas directly onto the frame using the hardware and screws provided. See here for tips on centering your canvas within the frame.

Q. How do I hang my artwork?

A. Hanging methods should match the size and weight of the finished frame.

Most frames can be hung using the hanging wire attached to the frame hardware and a properly placed wall nail or screw.

For larger artwork, consider:

Using two nails or screws to distribute weight evenly

Anchoring hardware into wall studs when possible

Using a metal hollow-wall expansion anchor (often called a molly bolt) if studs are not available

For oversized artwork or mirrors, we also offer specialized hanging systems such as WallBuddies corner brackets and the Hangman hanging system for added strength and stability.

Q. Can I see frame and mat samples before ordering?

A. Yes. We offer free samples of our mouldings and mat boards so you can evaluate color, finish, and proportion before placing your order.

Seeing materials in person helps you make confident decisions about how your artwork will be presented.