To Frame or Not to Frame: A Guide for Artists Selling Their Work

When preparing your artwork for sale, one of the biggest questions you may face is whether to frame it or not. Framing can enhance the presentation of your work, but it also adds cost, complexity, and potentially limits buyer preferences. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of framing, along with some practical suggestions to help you decide what’s best for your art and audience.

The Pros of Framing Your Artwork

1. Elevated Presentation: A well-chosen frame can make your artwork look polished and professional, giving it a finished appearance that can attract buyers.
2. Perceived Value: Framed artwork often appears more valuable, which can justify higher pricing.
3. Ease for Buyers: Many buyers prefer to purchase art that is ready to hang. A framed piece saves them the effort of finding a frame that fits.
4. Art Protection: Frames can protect delicate works, such as watercolors, photographs, and drawings, from damage.

The Cons of Framing Your Artwork

1. Added Costs: Frames can be expensive, and the cost might not always be recoverable in the sale price.
2. Style Preferences: Buyers have diverse tastes. A frame you choose might not suit the buyer’s décor, potentially discouraging a purchase.
3. Logistics: Framed pieces are bulkier, heavier, and more fragile, making them harder to transport and ship.
4. Limited Versatility: Once framed, it’s harder for buyers to reimagine the piece in their space with a different frame or no frame at all.

When Should You Frame Your Work?

1. High-End Galleries and Exhibitions: If you’re displaying work in a formal setting, framing might be expected to meet professional standards.
2. Fragile Media: Works on paper, photographs, and other delicate media often benefit from the protection of a frame.
3. Signature Series: For a cohesive, premium series or limited editions, frames can elevate the collection and justify premium pricing.
4. Target Market Preferences: If your buyers tend to value convenience and a ready-to-hang presentation, framing could increase sales.

When Not to Frame

1. Emerging Artists and Budget Constraints: If you’re just starting out, the cost of framing can eat into your profits.
2. Experimental or Non-Traditional Art: Unframed pieces can feel more modern or edgy, appealing to buyers who appreciate a contemporary aesthetic.
3. Mass Market Events: At fairs and markets where buyers are more price-sensitive, framing might not add enough value to justify the cost.

Suggestions for Artists

1. Offer Both Options: Display some pieces framed and some unframed. This provides buyers with choices and helps you gauge their preferences.
2. Provide Framing Suggestions: Include a note with recommendations for framing styles and sizes. Buyers will appreciate the guidance.
3. Use Standard Sizes: Create works that fit standard frame sizes, making it easier for buyers to frame them affordably.
4. Showcase Unframed Work Creatively: Use clean matting, gallery wraps, or hang pieces with clips or floating mounts to give an unframed piece a polished look.
5. Partner with a Framer: Collaborate with a local frame shop to offer buyers a discount on custom framing.
6. Consider Pricing Tiers: Offer framed and unframed versions of the same work at different price points to appeal to a broader audience.

Whether or not to frame your artwork ultimately depends on your style, audience, and selling context. By weighing the pros and cons and considering the suggestions above, you can make informed decisions that best support your artistic and business goals. Remember, flexibility is key—adapting to your buyers’ needs can help you stand out and succeed in the art market.