The question of whether art needs to be framed is often raised. It can be by artists themselves, and their customers, by people interested in using prints for home décor, or by interior designers and consultants.
Sometimes, it’s a fine line to walk when deciding on the best type of frame, whether to use a single mount or double mount, metal or wood, and whether a patterned frame such as an ornate frame would be a bit over the top for the piece or be complimentary. It sometimes seems like it might be easier to leave it be and hang it unframed, if possible. But taking the easy option is rarely the best option.
There are some mediums that can be displayed as-is. The types of art that can be hung unframed are few though. These include
• Dye sublimation prints on metal
• Canvas prints - stretched, unstretched, or mounted
• Paintings on board
Anything on paper needs to be framed for protection.
This includes giclee prints, photo prints, and anything original such as documents that you’d like to preserve.
Although metal and canvas can be displayed unframed, each can also be framed. Whether they should be or not is determined by the finished look you want to achieve, and factoring in where the art will be displayed.
Take for example art printed on metal that’s been purchased to display in an outdoor setting. If you were to use a wood frame, it wouldn’t hold against the elements. Wood frames would be damaged when exposed to rain. It may not happen instantly due to the protective varnishes or stains, but it will happen eventually. The metal print would survive, but the frame would likely deteriorate quickly in the winter.
Canvas prints are another that can benefit from a frame, although they are fine hung unframed.
Again, it can boil down to the look you want, but also if you want extra protection. Canvas is sturdier than paper, but if it is hung in a location that gets heavy foot traffic making it prone to knocks, or perhaps a constant breeze causing it to hang squint, a canvas floating frame can be used to protect it from damage, and the added weight can help hold it stable on the wall, preventing you having to straighten the art frequently.
Paper is easily susceptible to damage. The paper itself can discolour, and the inks can fade when exposed to strong lighting and adverse conditions. Anything on paper is only protected when it is enclosed in a frame. Preferably a frame with a mount, as that protects the paper coming into contact with the glazing, which stops the inks from sticking to it.
Like with canvas and metal prints, the display location needs to be considered to decide on how best to frame the print. For areas of high natural light, UV-resistant glazing may be required, and for areas of higher temperature and humidity fluctuations, a metal frame would offer better protection than a wood frame as wood is prone to movement due to environmental fluctuations. So too are the wooden stretcher bars used on canvas prints, so even those aren’t best suited to bathrooms and kitchens. In those areas metal or glass prints are better equipped for the task.