How Much Should You Spend on Framing a Poster?

How much should you spend framing a poster that cost £40–£150 or $50–$200? There is no useful rule saying that the frame must cost less than the artwork. The better question is what level of fit, appearance and protection the print actually needs.

For a large mid-priced art print, a sensible budget can range from about £20/$35 for a basic ready-made frame to £250/$400 or more for specialist professional work. Most buyers do not need the highest tier. If the print is a standard A1 or 24 × 36-inch size and replaceable, a good ready-made frame usually offers the best value.

The quick answer

These are planning ranges, not fixed quotes. Frame moulding, size, glazing, mount width, delivery and mounting technique can change the total substantially.

Start with the print’s size and replaceability

Our example is a large A1 print in the UK—594 × 841 mm—or approximately 24 × 36 inches in the US. Both are widely available frame sizes, though they are not exact equivalents.

If your print matches the frame dimensions and can be reordered, you can prioritise appearance and price. If it is an unusual size, signed, sold out or personally important, accurate fitting and reversible mounting become more valuable.

A £100 open-edition print does not automatically need a £300 frame. Equally, a £75 limited print that cannot be replaced may justify specialist care.

Option 1: ready-made frames

Recommended budget: £20–£60 or $35–$80 for a large frame.

Ready-made frames are the best-value choice when the poster is a standard size. Current examples show how wide the market can be: IKEA UK lists a 61 × 91 cm RÖDALM frame at £19 and a 61 × 91 cm KNOPPÄNG at £17, while IKEA US lists 24 × 36-inch RÖDALM frames around $35–$40. Prices and availability change, so treat them as reference points. See IKEA UK and IKEA US.

Other UK ready-made examples sit around £34–£46 for A1, depending on material and finish. Paying toward the upper end can buy a slimmer profile, better-feeling finish or more rigid construction, but not necessarily conservation-grade materials.

What to check before buying

• The exact internal frame dimensions, not simply the product name.
• Whether a mount is included and how much smaller its opening is.
• Glass versus acrylic glazing.
• The rigidity of the backing board.
• The frame’s weight and required wall fixings.
• Whether replacement parts are available if the glazing becomes scratched.

For a replaceable mid-priced print, acrylic glazing and a clean, well-made frame are usually adequate. Spend more only if the cheaper option looks visibly flimsy or fails to fit the artwork properly.

Option 2: online custom framing

Recommended budget: £75–£175 or $175–$300 for a large print.

Online custom framing is the logical upgrade when the artwork is not a standard size or when you want a particular mount width and frame finish. You enter the image dimensions, choose the presentation, and receive either a complete frame or a kit assembled to order.

Current UK examples illustrate the variation: EasyFrame shows an A1 custom frame with acrylic at £57.40 for one configuration; eFrame lists a slim A1 black frame without a mount at £87.78 and a broader A1 frame with a mount at £135.91. These are examples rather than a universal market average. See EasyFrame and eFrame.

In the US, Framebridge lists an extra-large digital print up to 24 × 34 inches at $225 and a physical item of that size at $265, with larger sizes at higher tiers. The listed package includes an acid-free mat and UV-protective acrylic; extra-large frames may also carry shipping charges. See Framebridge pricing.

When online custom is worth the extra money

• The print falls between standard sizes.
• You want a mount without cutting one yourself.
• You want a specific wood, metal or colour finish.
• You need acrylic for safer shipping at a large size.
• You value a ready-to-hang package but do not need in-person specialist handling.

Compare the complete specification, not only the checkout total. One quote may include a mount, glazing and hanging hardware while another starts with the frame moulding alone.

Option 3: local professional framing

Recommended budget: £100–£250+ or $200–$400+ for a large print.

A local framer is most valuable when you need specialist mounting rather than simply a frame cut to size. You can inspect physical corner samples, compare mounts beside the artwork and discuss how the print will be attached.

One UK workshop publishes A1 guideline prices of £75 without a mount and £91 with one for an average raw-wood frame, or approximately £98–£120 for selected pre-finished mouldings. More elaborate materials and specialist techniques increase the total. See Amber Arts’ published guide.

American Frame describes medium custom framing around $75–$250 and notes that premium full-service framing for large or high-end art can exceed $400. See its custom-framing cost guide.

When professional framing earns its price

• The artwork needs float mounting or another specialist presentation.
• The paper is fragile, curled, deckle-edged or unusually thick.
• The print is difficult to replace.
• You need a reversible attachment method.
• The size makes safe DIY handling difficult.
• You want to approve colours and frame samples beside the physical print.

Do you need conservation materials?

For an ordinary replaceable art print, conservation upgrades are optional. A clean ready-made frame with an acid-free mount may provide an appropriate balance of appearance, cost and protection.

If the print is difficult to replace, ask about lignin-free or cotton-rag mountboard, a stable backing board, reversible hinges, UV-filtering glazing and spacing that prevents contact between the print and glazing. The Library of Congress recommends chemically stable framing materials, appropriate non-damaging hinging and separation from glazing for works on paper.

No glazing makes direct sunlight safe. Display valuable paper away from strong light, radiators, vents and damp walls.

What actually drives the price?

• Size: large frames require longer mouldings, more glazing and stronger construction.
• Moulding: narrow manufactured profiles cost less than broad hardwood or hand-finished ones.
• Mount: a larger or multi-layer mount increases both board use and labour.
• Glazing: standard acrylic is cheaper than premium anti-reflective or specialist UV-filtering products.
• Mounting method: simple positioning costs less than reversible hinging or float mounting.
• Service: consultation, fitting and local workshop labour add value as well as cost.
• Delivery: oversized finished frames can attract significant shipping charges.

A practical budget for a £40–£150 art print

For a replaceable standard A1 or 24 × 36-inch print, begin with a ready-made frame budget of about £30–£60 or $40–$80. Choose a profile that looks substantial enough for the scale of the artwork.

If the print is non-standard, move to roughly £80–£175 or $175–$300 for online custom framing. This buys accurate fit and more design control without automatically paying for specialist handling.

Reserve a local professional budget of £100–£250+ or $200–$400+ for a print that requires specialist mounting, difficult handling or a presentation you cannot specify confidently online.

Questions to ask before approving a quote

• Does the price include the mount, glazing, backing and hanging hardware?
• Is the quoted size the artwork size or the finished frame size?
• What type of glazing is included?
• How will the print be attached?
• Can the mounting be reversed later?
• Will the print touch the glazing?
• Are delivery, fitting and oversized charges included?

Final verdict

For a large mid-priced art print, spend enough to make the presentation look deliberate and keep the paper flat—but do not pay for conservation features the print does not need.

Choose a ready-made frame when A1 or 24 × 36 inches fits correctly. Use online custom framing when the size is unusual or you want a tailored mount. Pay for a local professional when specialist mounting or hands-on handling is the real requirement.

The best framing budget is not a percentage of the poster’s price. It is the lowest-cost option that provides the right fit, finish and level of protection.