# Help me frame these 12X16 prints

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-frame-these-12x16-prints/685427>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [April 5, 2014, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-frame-these-12x16-prints/685427 "2014-04-05T18:53:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\
**Post date:** [April 5, 2014, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-frame-these-12x16-prints/685427/1 "2014-04-05T18:53:01Z")

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Is there an easy and inexpensive way to frame [these 12X16 Dali prints](http://shop.thedali.org/browse.cfm/portfolio-of-works-dali-museum-collection-12x16/4,57.html)?

I don’t know anything about framing, and I’ve heard horror stories about how much framing shops will cost.

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**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\
**Post date:** [April 5, 2014, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-frame-these-12x16-prints/685427/2 "2014-04-05T19:19:22Z")

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[Michael’s](http://weeklyad.michaels.com/departments/7)craft stores has a sale on frames this week. You can do it yourself or have it custom framed.

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**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\
**Post date:** [April 5, 2014, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-frame-these-12x16-prints/685427/3 "2014-04-05T20:01:23Z")

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Framing shops & art supply stores are expensive but if you have some art that you like, when you have it professionally framed you get UV glass, a tight crisp mat (if you want), a high-quality frame and a nicely mounted picture that won’t move around the frame.

But, if you don’t care about that stuff, just look around on Amazon for frames that fit your item.

I did one of each last year - a professional frame for a [Derek Hess](http://derekhess.com/) print (even with a coupon the framing and mat cost $90, twice the cost of the print on eBay) and an ArtToFrames brand frame from Amazon for a concert poster.

I’m happy with both at the moment. I guess I’ll see how I feel about how they turned out in 10 years?

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**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\
**Post date:** [April 5, 2014, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-frame-these-12x16-prints/685427/4 "2014-04-05T20:27:24Z")

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That’s the part that’s driving me insane. These prints aren’t expensive, but these prints were a gift from my dad. Plus, I don’t want the apartment to look like I’m just out of college. I plan on visiting art shows and picking up some quality pieces to add to the decor of my place.

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**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\
**Post date:** [April 5, 2014, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-frame-these-12x16-prints/685427/5 "2014-04-05T20:44:53Z")

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The good news is 12x16 is a ready-made size, and if you want a nice mat that size fits nicely into a 16x20 frame, as well. The Nielsen company makes a line called “Artcare” that includes a quality mat, backing and UV glass, although color choices are limited.

I can not recommend going to Michael’s or Aaron Bros. Find a local independent art supply store. Standalone framing shops are going to be mostly custom stuff.