The Best Online Framing Services for Your Art and Keepsakes

First there was the digital camera, next there was the smartphone, and now there’s Instagram. Taking quality photos whenever and sharing them has never been easier, but we still crave more permanent homes for our best works. But professional printing and framing is costly and complicated, right? That’s where online framing services come in.

If you’re not ready to frame your art yourself, online framing services aren’t as pricey as you might imagine — if you know where to look. Bonus: A few will take your non-digital memories, like souvenirs or even fabric, and frame them as well. We’ve rounded up our favorite sources for quality online framing so you can get your favorite memories off your phone and onto your wall. Your fabulous gallery wall awaits!

• Don’t overthink it. Your home isn’t a museum, and you don’t need to curate it as such. Hang what is meaningful to you, whether that’s a homemade card or a print you found in a secondhand shop. The art in your home doesn’t have to be expensive or even technically “art” — it just has to be something you love and want to look at every day.
• Consider hanging something other than prints and photos. Many of our picks give you the freedom to think outside the box when it comes to framing. Consider hanging an old quilt or sports jersey, or even something small and sentimental like a ticket to an especially memorable concert. Choosing items beyond traditional paper prints will add some character and extra texture to your walls.
• Protect your art. Make sure the matting materials you use are acid-free and include a dust cover on the back. You can also choose an acrylic layer over the front instead of glass, as it has the advantage of being shatter-proof. No matter what, be certain to pick glass or acrylic that is UV-protected, especially if your piece will be hanging in direct sunlight. You should also keep some art, like watercolors or textiles, in the shade even with UV-protection, as they are especially sensitive to light.

Because we care a lot about good framing, Apartment Therapy collaborated with online framing company Simply Framed to create the Apartment Therapy Frame Shop. Through this partnership, Apartment Therapy founder Maxwell Ryan curated the framing options he likes — and has used — most, making chosing a frame much easier.

Simply answer the following three questions and the result is a classic, versatile frame you’ll love for years.

1. Is my art a digital upload or mail-in?
2. What’s the size? 
3. White, Black or Natural frame?

This is the perfect framing service for people who are new to framing art and people who feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available through custom framing.

How thick should the frame be? What kind of mat should you pick? What do people even mean by “floating”? What will actually look … good? Maxwell’s figured it all out for you. The result is, as he describes it, “a clean, classic, square cap gallery style that always looks great and can hang in any room.”

(If you want the details, your art will be floated and shadowboxed, 1″ from the frame, mounted on a 4-ply white paper mat, under protective, lightweight 99 percent UV acrylic.)

You’ll have three choices for the frame: white, black, and natural. Here’s what Maxwell recommends.

• White works for just about all art.
• Black works for dark or vintage pieces.
• Natural is great for sunny and bright pieces.
  
  Another quick tip: Hang your work with classic wire unless it’s an especially large frame, in which case choose corner brackets.

Framebridge is a super choice for first-timers and anyone working with a tight budget.

• They also give you the option to frame more than just pictures — jerseys, flags, matchbooks, and guitar picks are all fair game.
• If you’re still hesitant to start framing, Framebridge also offers design services, including free designer recommendations and a $199 consultation on how to build your dream gallery wall.

Gift givers and anyone planning a wedding, shower, or other big event.

Artifact Uprising is especially appealing to the Instagram generation — they have a gorgeous app for easy uploading and Instagram-friendly framing options.

Mobile-first users: If you prefer doing literally everything via your phone (open my laptop for what now?) this is the service for you.

Finished “keepsakes” go out in about 3 to 4 days, making this a seriously fast option, too (not to mention budget-friendly).

Risk-takers and anyone looking to make a statement.

CanvasPop also lets you add filters and effects to your photos, giving you the ultimate freedom to personalize favorite pictures and moments.

SnapBox is a fun choice for people who are considering other options beyond framing. It’s also a good budget choice.

There are almost always discounts and deals so you can really experiment without feeling guilty.

Warning: You might find it impossible to choose a project from all the options, but on the bright side you’ll never get bored of the final product.

Framed & Matted is ideal for DIYers. If you’re comfortable putting together your own frame (hello, IKEA assemblers!), this is for you.

For inspiration or assistance, customers can check out their helpful lookbook or get direct email assistance.

If you want to take a more hands-on approach to your framed decor but want to keep costs low, this is a great place to start.

The site also has a super-handy guide to buying frames online that’s worth a look even if you don’t end up using them for framing.

Professional artists, archivists, art collectors, museums, and anyone else looking for superior quality framing.

If you’re looking to give a gift, they’ll also add gift wrap and a handwritten note at no extra cost. If you’re an artist, Level Frames lets you create a shop to sell your artwork, with them taking care of the printing, framing, and delivery at no extra cost.