Here's the funny thing about printable wall art: the print costs a few dollars, and then the frame shows up asking for forty. It doesn't have to go that way. With standard sizes, a little thrift-store patience and a couple of clever no-frame tricks, you can make a $4 download look like it came from a gallery, without spending gallery money.
Step 1: Pick a Standard Size Before You Print
The single biggest money saver is printing at a size that ready-made frames already fit. Custom framing is where budgets go to die. Stick to these and you'll find cheap frames almost anywhere:
- 5x7 and 8x10 inches: the cheapest frames on the planet. Great for shelves, bathrooms and small gallery walls.
- 11x14 inches: the sweet spot. Big enough to matter on a wall, and often sold with a mat that shows an 8x10 print.
- 16x20 and 18x24 inches: statement sizes. Poster frames in these sizes are usually affordable, especially compared with "art" frames.
- A4, A3 and A2: the go-to sizes outside the US, with plenty of budget frames to match.
Not sure which file fits which frame? Our printable wall art size guide breaks down frame sizes and aspect ratios so you don't end up with awkward white strips. And if you still need to get the thing on paper, see how to print digital wall art at home.
Step 2: Use Mats to Make Small Prints Look Expensive
A mat is the cheapest upgrade in framing. An 8x10 print inside an 11x14 frame with a white mat instantly looks more "professional" than the same print jammed edge-to-edge in an 8x10 frame. The extra white space gives the art room to breathe, and it hides tiny printing imperfections at the edges.
Bonus trick: printing at 8x10 is cheaper than printing at 11x14, so the mat also saves you money on the print itself.
Step 3: Hunt for Frames in the Right Places
Thrift stores and charity shops
Ignore the art inside. You're shopping for the frame. Ugly landscapes in solid wood or metal frames can be had for a few dollars. Pop out the old picture, clean the glass, and drop in your print. Check the back for a sturdy hanger and corners that aren't wobbly.
Multi-packs from big-box stores
Frames sold in packs of three or six are almost always cheaper per frame than singles, and they match perfectly, which is exactly what a gallery wall wants. If you're hanging a set, buy a pack.
Poster frames instead of picture frames
For big sizes, look for "poster frames" rather than "picture frames". They're usually thinner, use acrylic instead of glass, and cost a fraction of the price. Lighter is also a plus if you're hanging with adhesive strips.
Step 4: Give Cheap Frames a Glow-Up
Mismatched thrift finds become a cohesive set with one can of spray paint. Pick one color for the whole wall: matte black for a modern look, white for coastal or Scandi rooms, or gold for something a bit glam. Lightly sand glossy frames first so the paint sticks, and take the glass out before you spray (ask us how we know).
A painted set works especially well with matching multi-print designs like the Funny Bathroom Wall Art Set of 6 – Black White Prints ($8.99). Six identical black frames, six cheeky prints, and suddenly your bathroom has a personality.
Step 5: Skip the Frame Entirely (On Purpose)
Some of the best-looking walls don't use traditional frames at all. These options cost very little and look intentional, not lazy:
- Wooden poster hangers: magnetic wood strips that clamp the top and bottom of a print. Very Scandi, very cheap, and easy to swap art seasonally.
- Clipboards: a row of matching clipboards makes a fun, swappable display for kitchens, offices and kids' rooms.
- Bulldog clips and a nail: one clip, one nail, done. Works best with prints on heavy cardstock so they don't curl.
- Washi tape: for dorms and rentals. Tape all four corners in a contrasting color for a playful, collage look.
- Lean, don't hang: prop frames on a shelf, mantel or bar cart. No holes, and you can layer different sizes.
The leaning trick is perfect for a home bar corner. The Retro Bar Cart Wall Art Set of 3 – Vinyl Record Prints ($7.56) looks great propped behind your bottles in simple frames, with zero drilling involved.
Renting? Our renter-friendly wall decor ideas cover more ways to hang art without nails.
Step 6: Print Smart So the Frame Does Less Work
A good print makes a cheap frame look better. A few quick wins:
- Use matte paper or cardstock. Matte reduces glare behind glass or acrylic, and heavier paper stays flat in the frame.
- Print at the frame's exact size (or the mat opening) so you're not trimming by hand.
- Trim with a paper cutter, not scissors. Wobbly edges are the number one giveaway of a DIY job.
- Add a backing sheet. Cheap frames often have flimsy backs. A piece of cardstock behind the print keeps it from rippling.
Budget Framing Ideas by Room
- Bedroom: a trio of 11x14 frames with mats above the bed. A matching set like the Pink Leopard Wall Art Set of 3 – Coquette Prints ($7.56) in white or gold frames keeps it soft and pulled together.
- Living room: one or two big poster frames instead of lots of small ones. Fewer frames, bigger impact, lower total cost.
- Beach house or sunroom: white-painted thrift frames with a light, breezy set like the Blue Coastal Gallery Wall Art Set – Beach House Prints ($9.99).
- Bathroom: small 5x7 or 8x10 frames. They're the cheapest sizes, and acrylic-front frames are lighter and won't shatter if one takes a tumble.
The Quick Cheat Sheet
- Print at standard sizes: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14, 16x20, 18x24, or A4/A3.
- Use mats to upsize small prints and save on printing.
- Buy frames in multi-packs or thrift them, then spray paint for a matching set.
- Choose poster frames for big pieces.
- Try hangers, clipboards, clips or leaning for no-frame displays.
Ready to Fill Those Frames?
Cheap frames deserve great art. Browse our gallery wall sets for matching printable sets designed to look good together. Download instantly, print at your favorite size, and frame them for less than you'd spend on lunch.