Canvas prints don’t necessarily need to be framed. However, if your design aesthetic demands frames for your wall art, so be it. Canvas wall art can be framed in two distinct ways. The first is a floating canvas frame, and the second is a traditional frame.
The ever-more-popular floater canvas frame has a slot in the front that allows the canvas to be loaded into the frame, thereby allowing the entire canvas to be exhibited. In most cases, the floater frame for a canvas will be around 10 millimeters larger than the canvas itself. This creates a small space between the canvas edge and the frame. This small space between the canvas and the frame will provide the impression that the canvas is floating in the frame while also enabling the canvas’s edges to be seen.
The traditional method for framing a stretched canvas entails using a standard picture frame but omitting the glass and backing from the frame. When the canvas is inserted into the back opening of the frames, the frame “rabbet” will overflow the leading edge of the canvas by a few millimeters. Typically, this approach is taken when framing oil paintings in a more traditional style.
Different Canvas Frame Types
So let’s say you do decide to frame your canvas image. What choices do you have before you? Two primary options are available in this situation: a traditional frame or a floater frame. Traditional picture frames have a more traditional appearance, as the name suggests, whereas floater picture frames have a more contemporary appearance. There is no such thing as making a decision that is inherently good or bad in the realm of art; however, a good rule of thumb is to ensure that the frame is appropriate for the type of artwork being shown. Do you think it would look appropriate to display a Banksy in a traditional ornate frame? It might have an odd appearance; nonetheless, how do you decide which kind of canvas frame will be best for your picture? Let’s have a peek.
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Traditional Picture Frames
A traditional picture frame for canvas is very similar to the standard photo frames we are all familiar with and adore, except for a few minor details. Because stretched canvas photos are typically quite a bit thicker than regular photo prints, a traditional picture frame for a canvas will not have a glass or perspex front nor a board that clips onto the back of the picture. The canvas is inserted into the back of the frame like a traditional photograph or poster would be loaded.
The result is pretty much what you would anticipate; the picture is shown, and the front of the frame slightly overlaps the canvas around the corners. This overlapping ‘lip’ is called a rabbet, and it can be as thin or thick as you desire, depending on your preferences. However, remember that even the smallest rabbets will still provide some overlap to the image, so you should keep this in mind if there are crucial elements around the top, bottom, or sides of your canvas.
Because traditional frames cover part of the picture, they typically have a more noticeable and distinct appearance than the more minimal and unobtrusive floater canvas frames. Traditional frames are best suited to images that are very strong, vibrant, and dominant; artwork that isn’t going to be overshadowed by an attractive picture frame.
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Floater Canvas Frames
The artwork is inserted into a floater frame from the front into the open area; this contemporary variant on the conventional picture frame is an open box without a lid. Floater frames are a modern alternative to traditional picture frames. The fact that the artwork isn’t obscured or covered up in any way by the frame in which it is displayed is one of the most significant benefits of using floater frames. This is an excellent technique to use if elements are significant or appealing at the very margins of an image, such as the artist’s signature.
Floater frames for canvas photos are typically quite simple to load. The canvas can be linked to the frame using self-adhesive velcro tabs, securing the image into the ‘box.’ The end product is quite remarkable; it gives the impression that the canvas is floating because there are no clear attachments. Even though it might be nothing more than an optical illusion, you shouldn’t underestimate the effect a floater canvas frame can have on drawing attention to something.
When shopping for a floater frame for canvas, the size is the only factor you truly need to focus on paying attention to. Size matters! Now is the time to think big, so select a floater frame that is somewhat larger than the piece of artwork you intend to display.
Similarities
There are several parallels between floater and traditional frames, even though several distinctions are visible between them. To begin, you will find that you have options to select from regardless of the sort of canvas frame that you decide with. Both floater and traditional frames for canvas images are available in various colors, finishes, and effects, such as black and white, vibrant pinks and oranges, and wood, gloss, and satin effects. As a result, you can easily personalize a frame based on the artwork by choosing a color scheme, texture, or effect that complements the piece.
In Summation: Choosing A Frame For A Canvas
The question now is, what kind of canvas frame should you use for your stretched canvas? While we can provide a rundown of the differences and similarities between floater and traditional frames, the final decision regarding which type of frame is ideal for your artwork is solely in your hands. When it comes to art, there is no objective truth; everything is up to the viewer’s interpretation. We understand that this is not an easy decision to make. Because there is no definitive right or wrong answer, you should select a frame that makes you feel as though it most accurately portrays your image and complements the style of the picture you are framing. We trust that this article will prove to be of use. Until next time, happy framing!
