Where to get frames

We've received a lot of questions about where to get frames to fit our digital art prints without having to spend a lot of money.

Lately we've been using FramesByMail.com where you can order the frames with plexiglass, cut to fit the print, with or without matting. It's a really easy site to use and they have a ton of choices depending on your budget.

The ones in several of the photos are from Michael's craft stores who have both wood and composite frames in a number of sizes. We used a basic 20" x 28" black frame made from a composite material with a thicker, plastic instead of glass (for those parents worried about kids and breaking). We then painted it white (or any other color) with satin finish Rustoleum spray paint. We also cut our own matting with a poster board from the same place to create a 2" border around the edge. Michael's also has 2 other options - a slightly more expensive line called Trendsetter in the same sizes, or a build-your-own (in metal or wood, and you can get glass or plastic cut for it at Michael's or Home Depot).

If you live near an Ikea, the Ribba and Fjallsta frames are 19¾" x 27½" and come in white and a couple of wood colors (or they are easy to spray paint but do not pull out the glass - easy to break!). Unfortunately Ikea will not deliver these items.

If you don't mind buying without actually seeing the frame and can mount it yourself, we highly recommend Frames-By-Mail. The online store has a very wide variety of frames, including both metal and wood, with a huge range of styles and thicknesses and colors. They also have plexiglass and matting available at very reasonable prices and cheap delivery.

Finally, some of the early pictures and the ones at the stationery show were actually from Walmart also 20x28 and painted white.

Do-It-Yourself Matting

The Ikea frames are easy to work with because the inside sheet can be used as a mat. Otherwise, buy a posterboard that is large enough to fit the inside of the frame - not too thick since it becomes more difficult to cut.

Lay the mat face-up (printed side up) on a flat surface. Using a standard ruler, draw a small dot 2½ inches from each corner. Using a long straight-edge (if you don't have one, use the frame) and draw a light line between dots so that you form a rectangle inside the paper.

Using an X-acto knife with a straight guide (again, if you don't have one, use the glass from the frame and a box-cutter works well) cut the inside rectangle lines and then carefully lift it out. Use painter's tape to center and hold the print down to the mat, then place it back into the frame.

Hope this helps!