Choosing the right frame is essential if you want to get the most out of your images. At best, a poorly chosen frame is distracting. At worst, it can make your image look lackluster or less appealing.

Let’s discuss the most common mistakes to avoid when framing photography and some photo framing tips to help you choose the appropriate frame.

Choosing the Wrong Frame Style and Color

One of the most common framing mistakes we encounter is that people choose the wrong frame for their photograph. When choosing a frame, ensure that the chosen materials and colors don’t clash with your photo’s tones. You’ll also need to consider the surrounding area and the impact you want your display to have on it.

When you select an unnecessarily ornate frame or one that clashes with the photo or room, it detracts from both the room and the image. Taking the time to match frames to the aesthetic you want helps you make the space more cohesive.

Photo framing tip: Choose minimalist tones and styles to ensure universal compatibility.

Choosing the Wrong Frame Size or Proportion

One of the most common issues with framing is that people don’t choose the right frame size. A frame should fit perfectly, providing enough space for your chosen matting, and nothing else.

When you choose an oversized frame, it can overwhelm the image, making it less effective. An undersized frame makes the photo look almost claustrophobic, which detracts from the subject.

Photo framing tip: Measure the photo carefully and ensure that you buy a frame that fits the picture with enough space for the matting as well.

Using Low-Quality Materials and Improper Mounting

Another common mistake is to use low-quality framing materials rather than those suitable for archival prints. These materials lack the solidity of higher-quality options, leading to sagging and warping. Additionally, low-grade materials may contain acids that damage photos.

The same is true of DIY frames and mounting. When you use the wrong adhesives and materials or poorly constructed frames, they may damage images or detract from their beauty.

Another aspect to consider here is that frames should protect your images from the elements. Choosing high-quality, UV-resistant glass and archival materials extends your photo’s lifespan.

Photo framing tip: Paying for high-grade materials and professional framing is a long-term investment that will save time, money and effort.

Skipping Matting (When It’s Needed)

In many cases, matting is essential to the overall presentation of the image. Two common issues here are ignoring matting altogether and choosing matting that doesn’t complement your photo. Matting helps to draw attention to the photo and distinguishes between the frame and the image.

For instance, if your image features many bright tones, black matting may introduce too much contrast. However, white or light gray matting will likely highlight your photo’s bright points, without detracting from its contrast. On the other hand, a black and white photo featuring plenty of shadows may work well with black matting to accentuate the contrasts.

Photo framing tip: When choosing how to frame photos, matting is essential and helps to highlight the subject. Choose a matting color that provides contrast without clashing with the photo’s tones.

Neglecting the Display Environment

People often think that their role begins with having the picture framed and ends when they hang it on the wall, but consider how a gallery or museum curates the space. Controlling the environment around the frame is essential.

When planning where to hang the images and how to extend their lifespan, it’s essential to consider elements like temperature and humidity fluctuations and light exposure. Photos may fade in constant exposure to bright sunlight, and humidity fluctuations can affect the framing materials.

Photo framing tip: To make your images look their best — and protect them as well as possible — hang them where they won’t receive much direct sunlight, and where the temperature and humidity stay reasonably constant.

Overlooking Custom Framing When It’s Needed

Many people find the idea of custom framing overwhelming. As a result, they choose standardized frames that don’t suit the photo or highlight its best features. For unique photography and images, it’s well worth investing in custom framing. It can also be beneficial when you’re trying to create a color scheme or theme in a room.

This is another of those instances where an investment now will carry your photographs far into the future.

Photo framing tip: Consider custom framing when you have images with odd sizes, panoramic photos or fine art prints. A custom frame will elevate the display and match the image perfectly.

Bonus Advice — Approach Framing Trends With Caution

One of the underacknowledged mistakes to avoid when framing photography is getting too caught up in trends. People may get caught up in the excitement around trending styles, which leads to disjointed displays filled with various framing styles and makes pieces look dated when the trend dies down.

Photo framing tip: Opt for a more neutral style that you love and can build on. This approach empowers you to create timelessly elegant gallery-style walls that will elevate your space for years to come.

Avoid Common Framing Mistakes and Elevate Your Images

By avoiding these common photography framing mistakes, you can elevate your photo’s presentation. Whether you need custom framing or simply need help finding the right frame for your photograph, we can help. Allow Tribeca Printworks to help you frame your photography the right way — Contact us today to explore our custom framing services or book a consultation.