Guide to Framing your Andrew Robinson Art Prints. Finding the Right Frame if you Chose the Unframed Options.
A great print can look unfinished in the wrong frame, and slightly lost in the wrong mount. The good news is that most andrewrobinsonart unframed Fine Art Prints are supplied in common UK-friendly sizes, which makes frame shopping much easier than it first seems.
This guide covers the print sizes available, the frame sizes to look for, when a ready-made frame should work, and when it makes sense to visit a local framer. It also lists a range of UK high street and online retailers so you can compare colours, styles, finishes and prices before deciding what suits your home.
A quick disclaimer before the list of retailers: the stores retailing frames for prints guide mentioned below are not personal recommendations. They are included purely as a useful starting point for research. I have not bought frames from all of these retailers, so treat the list as a way to gather ideas, not as a ranked buying guide.
Start with the exact print size
The most common framing mistake is buying a frame that looks roughly right rather than matching the print size. Even a small difference can mean the print slips inside the frame, lifts at the edges, or does not sit cleanly behind the mount.
andrewrobinsonart offers unframed Fine Art Prints in a wide range of common sizes.
Print type | Available size | What to look for when framing |
Fine Art Print | A5 | A5 frame, or larger frame with an suitable mount opening |
Fine Art Print | A4 | A4 frame, or larger frame with an suitable mount opening |
Fine Art Print | 16" x 12" | 16" x 12" frame, or larger imperial frame with mount |
Fine Art Print | 30 cm x 40 cm | 30 x 40 cm frame, or larger frame with mount |
Fine Art Print | A3 | A3 frame, or larger frame with suitable mount opening |
Fine Art Print | A2 | A2 frame, or larger frame with suitable mount opening |
Mounted print | To suit 14" x 11" frame | 14" x 11" frame |
Poster | 60 cm x 80 cm | 60 x 80 cm poster frame |
Poster | 75 cm x 100 cm | 75 x 100 cm poster frame |
If you are Framing your andrewrobinsonart unframed prints, start by checking the size listed on the product page or order confirmation. Do not measure the visible artwork alone. Measure the full sheet size unless the print is already supplied mounted. All unframed prints have a white border to accomodate going into a frame if they are not going to be mounted. This white border means none of the image is lost when inserted into the back of a frame.
A quick guide to A sizes
A sizes are standard paper sizes used widely in the UK. They are common, easy to find, and usually available from both homeware shops and online frame retailers.
Size | Approximate measurement |
A5 | 148 mm x 210 mm |
A4 | 210 mm x 297 mm |
A3 | 297 mm x 420 mm |
A2 | 420 mm x 594 mm |
A sizes are proportioned differently from many imperial frames, so an A3 print will not fit neatly into a 16" x 12" frame without cutting, floating, or using a mount designed for that exact print size.
That does not mean you cannot mix metric and imperial framing. You can, but it usually requires a mount cut to bridge the difference between the print and the frame.
Decide whether you want a frame only or a frame with a mount when framing Andrew Robinson Art prints
The next choice is simple but important. Do you want the print to go straight into the frame, or do you want space around it?
A frame only gives a clean, modern look. The print fills the frame from edge to edge. This is often the easiest option for posters and for prints in standard sizes such as A4, A3, 30 x 40 cm, 60 x 80 cm and 75 x 100 cm.
A frame with a mount gives the print breathing room. The mount is the card border between the print and the frame. It can make smaller prints feel more substantial and can help the artwork sit better on a larger wall.
For example:
Print size | Simple frame-only option | Mounted option |
A5 | A5 frame | Larger frame with A5 mount opening |
A4 | A4 frame | 30 x 40 cm frame with mount cut for A4 |
A3 | A3 frame | A2 frame with mount cut for A3 |
30 x 40 cm | 30 x 40 cm frame | 40 x 50 cm or larger frame with custom mount |
16" x 12" | 16" x 12" frame | Larger imperial frame with custom mount |
A mount can also protect the print by creating a gap between the paper and the glazing. This is especially useful with fine art papers, where the surface and texture are part of the appeal.
The mounted print to suit a 14" x 11" frame
One size in the range deserves a separate mention: Mounted print to suit 14" x 11" frame.
This means the print is already mounted and intended to fit inside a 14" x 11" frame. In this case, shop for the frame size, not a mount. You do not need to buy a separate mount unless you are planning a more bespoke framing job.
When looking online, pay close attention to wording. Some retailers list frames by the size of the item they hold. Others may list the overall outside frame size. For this product, you want a frame that accepts a 14" x 11" insert.
Match the frame style to the artwork and the room
Frame choice is partly practical and partly personal. The same print can feel completely different in a black frame, an oak frame, a white frame, or a slim metal frame.
For sport, football and character-led artwork, many people choose a frame that lets the image do the work. Simple frames often work best because they do not compete with the print.
Good starting points include:
Black frames
Strong, clean and versatile. They work well with bold artwork, monochrome details and modern interiors.
White frames
Light and simple. They suit softer rooms, white walls and gallery-style displays.
Natural oak or wood-effect frames
Warm and relaxed. These can soften strong colours and work well in living rooms, hallways and bedrooms.
Metal frames
Slim and modern. They can suit posters, contemporary prints and rooms with other metal finishes.
Deep box frames
Useful if you want depth, a shadow gap, or a more object-like finish. Check that the depth works with the print and mount before buying.
The safest method is to pick up colours already present in the artwork or room. If the print has dark linework, a black frame often ties it together. If the room has oak shelving, an oak frame can help the print feel at home. If the wall is busy, a simple frame can keep the whole display calm.
Think about scale as well as size
Frame size and wall size need to work together. A small A5 print can look lovely on a shelf, bedside table or narrow wall. On a large blank wall, it may need a generous mount or a group arrangement.
A3 and A2 prints have more presence. They can often stand alone above a desk, sideboard or reading chair. Posters at 60 x 80 cm and 75 x 100 cm make a stronger statement and need more wall space around them.
Before ordering a large frame, mark the size on the wall with low-tack masking tape. This quick test helps you see whether the frame feels too small, too large, or just right.
Where to look for ready-made frames in the UK for your andrewrobinsonart prints
The UK has a wide choice of high street and online retailers for picture and photo frames. Ready-made frames are often the most convenient route when your print matches a standard size.
Retail ranges change often, so check measurements, glazing material, delivery details and return policies before buying. If you are searching online, plain terms such as picture framing, framed art, unframed art, football art prints, gifts, picture frames, custom frame and interior design can help you compare a wider range of options.
Homeware retailers on the high street and online
These retailers are useful places to browse if you want ideas on colour, finish, standard sizes and budget.
Retailer | What they are useful for |
Dunelm | A large range of photo and picture frames across many common homeware styles |
The Range | A wide selection of affordable frames, including options such as box frames |
John Lewis and Partners | Mid-to-higher-end decorative frames, metal frames, oak options and branded ranges |
IKEA | Affordable standard metric and poster frames with clean Scandinavian styling |
Wilko | Online frame options, often with practical sizes and good-value homeware choices |
Dunelm and The Range are often good starting points for comparing everyday frame styles. John Lewis and Partners can be helpful if you want a more polished finish or a frame that feels closer to a long-term home piece. IKEA is useful for common metric sizes and simple poster framing. Wilko still exists online and can be worth checking for practical budget-friendly options.
Online specialist frame retailers
Specialist online retailers can give you more choice, especially if you want made-to-measure sizing or a specific frame finish.
Retailer | What they are useful for |
Desenio | Stylish poster frames, often with lightweight acrylic plexiglass, in a wide spread of sizes |
Poster Store | Wooden and metal frames in popular colours and standard poster sizes |
EasyFrame | Made-to-measure frames produced in the UK, with a large choice of frame styles |
Frames.co.uk | Ready-made and bespoke framing options, including custom mounts |
Postery | A wide range of frame sizes and colours for poster-style displays |
Wallspace | Wooden frames in many sizes and styles, with a focus on accessible pricing |
Online frame specialists can be very useful when your print is not a perfect match for a ready-made frame. Some let you choose the moulding, mount colour, mount width, glazing and fixings. That level of choice can be brilliant, but it also adds decisions.
If you are unsure, keep it simple. A neutral mount, a black or natural wood frame, and standard clear glazing will suit many prints.
When a ready-made frame should work well
A ready-made frame is usually the best choice when the print size and frame size match exactly. It is also a good route when you want something quick, affordable and easy to replace later.
Ready-made frames should work well for:
A5 print into an A5 frame
A4 print into an A4 frame
A3 print into an A3 frame
A2 print into an A2 frame
30 x 40 cm print into a 30 x 40 cm frame
16" x 12" print into a 16" x 12" frame
60 x 80 cm poster into a 60 x 80 cm poster frame
75 x 100 cm poster into a 75 x 100 cm poster frame
Mounted print into a 14" x 11" frame
Before buying, check the frame listing for three details.
The size it holds
This should match your print or mounted print. Do not rely only on the outside dimensions.
The glazing material
Many modern frames use acrylic or plexiglass, especially larger poster frames. It is lighter and less prone to breaking than glass. Glass can feel more traditional and may look clearer in some settings, but it is heavier and more fragile.
The hanging direction
Some frames work both portrait and landscape. Others are designed for one direction only. Check the fixings, especially for larger poster sizes.
When to use a custom frame
A custom frame is the better choice when you want more control, a more refined finish, or a mount that fits the artwork exactly.
Custom framing is worth considering if:
You want a larger frame with a mount around the print
You want a specific mount colour or double mount
The wall space needs an exact outside frame size
You want specialist glazing
You prefer a frame moulding that is not available ready-made
The print has personal or gift value and you want a more considered finish
Online custom framing can work well, especially if you are confident measuring and choosing finishes from photographs. You can often decide the frame moulding, mount size, mount colour, glazing and overall dimensions.
For a custom frame, I personally recommend using a local framer where possible. It is much easier to view mouldings, mount boards and glazing in person. Colours can look different on a screen, and subtle differences matter. A warm white mount and a bright white mount can change the whole mood of a print.
A local framer can also help colour match the frame and mount to the artwork. They can show you how a black moulding compares with dark wood, or how a soft neutral mount compares with crisp white. That hands-on comparison is hard to beat.
What to ask a local framer
If you take your print to a framer, you do not need to know all the technical terms. Bring the print, explain where it will hang, and ask to see options.
Helpful questions include:
What frame width suits this print size?
Would you recommend a mount?
Which mount colour works with the artwork?
Should the print sit close to the glazing or away from it?
What glazing options are available?
How will the frame be hung?
What is the finished outside size?
If the print is a gift, mention that too. A framer may suggest a classic choice that suits many homes rather than something too specific.
Simple frame pairings for each andrewrobinsonart size
The table below gives practical starting points. These are not fixed rules, but they can help narrow your search.
Print size | Easy ready-made choice | More polished option |
A5 | A5 frame for shelf or small wall space | Larger frame with A5 mount opening |
A4 | A4 frame in black, white or oak | 30 x 40 cm frame with custom A4 mount |
16" x 12" | 16" x 12" frame | Larger imperial frame with mount |
30 x 40 cm | 30 x 40 cm frame | 40 x 50 cm or 50 x 70 cm frame with custom mount |
A3 | A3 frame | A2 frame with custom A3 mount |
A2 | A2 frame | Larger custom frame with wide mount |
Mounted to suit 14" x 11" | 14" x 11" frame | Custom frame if you want a different finish |
60 x 80 cm poster | 60 x 80 cm poster frame | Custom frame with stronger moulding |
75 x 100 cm poster | 75 x 100 cm poster frame | Custom frame for a more substantial statement piece |
For smaller prints, mounts add presence. For larger posters, the main priority is often frame strength, glazing weight and hanging security.
Check these details before you order
Frame listings can look simple, but the details matter. Run through this checklist before buying.
Check the unit of measurement
A 30 x 40 cm frame is not the same as a 16" x 12" frame. They are close enough to confuse people, but not close enough to use interchangeably.
Check whether the size is for the image or the outside frame
Most good listings explain this. If not, look for a diagram or contact the retailer.
Check the mount opening
If buying a frame with a mount included, make sure the opening suits your print. A frame may be listed as 40 x 50 cm, but the mount aperture could be 30 x 40 cm, A4, or another size.
Check portrait and landscape hanging
If the artwork is landscape, make sure the frame has fixings for landscape hanging.
Check the return policy
Large frames can be awkward to return. Bespoke frames are often non-returnable unless faulty.
Check the glazing film
Acrylic glazing often has protective film on one or both sides. Remove it before framing, or the frame may look cloudy.
Handle the print carefully
Wash and dry your hands first, or use clean cotton gloves. Keep food, drinks and tape away from the paper. If the print arrives rolled, allow it to relax naturally before framing. Do not force it flat under heavy objects that could mark the surface.
A few display ideas for finished prints
Once framed, think about where the print will feel most at home. A strong frame can make a print work in more places than expected.
For small prints, try:
A bedside table
A bookshelf
A narrow hallway wall
A small gallery wall
A picture ledge
For medium prints, try:
Above a desk
Beside a reading chair
Over a sideboard
On a landing wall
In a pair or trio with related prints
For large posters, try:
Above a sofa
In a games room
In a hallway with enough viewing distance
Above a console table
As a single statement piece on a plain wall
If hanging several prints together, keep one thing consistent. That could be the same frame colour, the same mount colour, or the same spacing between frames. A little consistency helps different artworks sit together.
The main takeaway
Framing andrewrobinsonart prints is mainly about matching the print size first, then choosing the finish that suits the artwork and your room. Ready-made frames are a convenient choice for standard sizes such as A4, A3, A2, 30 x 40 cm, 60 x 80 cm and 75 x 100 cm. The mounted print to suit a 14" x 11" frame is even simpler, as the mount is already part of the presentation.
Use UK frame retailers for ideas on colours, styles and prices. If you want a more tailored result, especially with mounts, glazing and mouldings, take the print to a local framer and compare the options in person. That way, the frame does what it should do: protect the print, suit the room, and let the artwork take centre stage.
