arttoframe.com

To choose a custom picture frame, match the frame type to what you're displaying, then size the frame around your artwork's actual dimensions plus any mat border. ArtToFrame organizes its custom options into picture frames, matted frames, print + frame, collage frames, shadow box frames, acrylic floating frames, and specialty formats like Samsung TV frames and puzzle frames. Before ordering, confirm your image file meets the upload requirements (JPG/JPEG, up to 150MB, RGB for accurate color) and check whether any promo code applies to your order size.

Frame types and what each one is for

The right type depends on whether you're framing a single photo, a group of photos, or a three-dimensional object.

ArtToFrame also lists custom cut mats, replacement glass and acrylic, gallery walls, diploma frames, canvas prints, and acrylic prints — useful if you only need one component rather than a complete frame.

How to size a custom frame correctly

Sizing is where most orders go wrong. Work in this order:

1. Measure your artwork at its widest and tallest points, not the nominal photo size.
2. Decide on a mat. If you want a mat border, add the mat width on all sides. A matted frame's outer size will be noticeably larger than the photo.
3. Check the size limits. ArtToFrame's upload tool accepts a selected area with a minimum of 4" x 6" and a maximum of 56" x 56".
4. Confirm the outside dimensions before checkout, especially for wall placement.

For a gallery wall, size each frame so the group reads as one unit — a common approach is to keep mat widths consistent across frames even when photo sizes differ.

Uploading your image: file requirements

If you're ordering a print + frame or uploading a photo into a frame, ArtToFrame's uploader has specific rules:

• Formats accepted: JPG and JPEG only.
• Maximum file size: 150MB. For larger files, the site directs you to send a WeTransfer or Dropbox link by email, using a test image clearly marked "Not To Be Printed."
• Color mode: Use RGB files for the most accurate color reproduction.
• Rights: By uploading, you confirm you own the image or have permission to print it. ArtToFrame reserves the right not to print copyrighted images.

If your file is rejected, the two most common causes are a non-JPG format (for example, PNG or HEIC) and exceeding the size limit.

Promo codes and large-size orders

Two restrictions are stated on the site and worth checking before you finalize:

• One code per order. Promo codes cannot be stacked, and only one code can be used per order.
• Large sizes are excluded. Promotions do not apply to any product over 29x41 on the outside size.

So if you're framing a large piece, don't count on a discount applying — confirm the price without the promotion first.

Matching the frame to the space

• Wall gallery: Use gallery wall sets or consistent frame profiles across multiple pieces.
• Desktop or shelf: Smaller picture frames and acrylic floating frames work well where depth is limited.
• TV area: A Samsung TV frame lets a screen blend into a room as artwork.
• Keepsakes and memorabilia: Shadow box frames are the option built for objects with depth.

ArtToFrame also carries home decor items beyond frames, including custom lamp shades, so a frame can be coordinated with other pieces in a room.

Before you order: a short checklist

• Artwork measured at its true outer dimensions
• Mat width decided (if any), and frame outer size recalculated
• Image in JPG/JPEG, under 150MB, RGB color
• Rights to print confirmed
• Promo code checked against the one-code rule and the 29x41 size exclusion
• Frame type matched to the display context (wall, desk, TV, shadow box)

If you're unsure which type fits your project, start with what you're displaying — a flat photo, a group of photos, or a three-dimensional object — and the frame category follows from there.

Picture frames do two jobs: they protect what you put inside, and they tell the viewer how to look at it. The right choice depends on three things — what you're framing (a photo, a diploma, a 3D object, a TV), how much protection it needs, and whether a standard size will fit or you need a custom build. ArtToFrame organizes its catalog around exactly these distinctions: Picture Frames, Matted Frames, Print + Frame, Collage Frames, Shadow Box Frames, Acrylic Floating Frames, Diploma Frames, Gallery Walls, Puzzle Frames, Custom Cut Mats, Replacement Glass & Acrylic, Canvas Prints, and a Samsung TV Frame. Below is how to pick among them.

Start with the object, not the frame

The object decides the category before style ever enters the conversation.

If your item is flat and standard-sized, you're in the first row. Everything below that row exists because the object doesn't behave like a plain photo.

How matting and size change the result

A mat is the cardboard border between the artwork and the frame. It isn't decoration alone — it keeps the artwork from touching the glass, which matters for anything you care about long-term.

Two practical consequences:

• A mat makes a small image look intentional. A 4" x 6" photo in a large frame without a mat looks lost. The same photo with a wide mat looks deliberate.
• A mat changes the frame size you need. If you want a 2-inch mat around an 8" x 10" print, the frame opening must be roughly 12" x 14". Order the mat and frame together, or use Custom Cut Mats, rather than guessing.

On sizing, ArtToFrame's upload tool states a minimum selectable area of 4" x 6" and a maximum of 56" x 56". Note that promotions on the site do not apply to any product over 29" x 41" on the outside size — so if you're framing large, don't count on a coupon to reduce the price.

File requirements if you're uploading an image

If you use Print + Frame or any upload path, the site specifies:

• Formats: JPG and JPEG only
• Maximum file size: 150MB
• For larger files: send a WeTransfer or Dropbox link by email, using a test image clearly marked "Not To Be Printed"
• Color: RGB files for the most accurate color reproduction

You also confirm you own or have permission to print the image; the company reserves the right to refuse copyrighted images.

Choosing style and material to match the room

Once the category is settled, style is a matching problem, not a rules problem.

• Match the frame to the room's existing metals and woods. A warm oak frame in a room of black metal and glass will read as a mistake even if it's a good frame.
• Let the mat do the color work. A neutral frame with a colored mat is easier to live with than a colored frame, and cheaper to change later.
• For a TV, the frame is furniture. The Samsung TV Frame exists so the screen behaves like decor when it's off — treat that decision the same way you'd treat a large wall piece.

Custom vs ready-made: when each makes sense

Ready-made works when your item is a standard size (4" x 6", 5" x 7", 8" x 10", 11" x 14") and you're not picky about the exact border width. It's faster and simpler.

Custom is worth it when any of these are true:

• The artwork is an odd size, or you want a specific mat width
• You're framing something 3D (shadow box) or a puzzle
• You need a document frame sized to a diploma
• You want a gallery wall where the frames relate to each other by design

ArtToFrame's model is built around custom work — the upload-and-configure flow, Custom Cut Mats, and the shadow box and floating categories all assume you're specifying dimensions rather than picking off a shelf.

Care and replacement parts

• Glass vs acrylic: both are offered as Replacement Glass & Acrylic. Acrylic is lighter and less likely to shatter; glass is harder and less prone to scratching. For large frames or anything hung where it could be knocked, acrylic is the safer default.
• Keep artwork off the glass. Use a mat or spacers, especially for photos and anything with a surface that can stick over time.
• Hang out of direct sun unless you've confirmed the glazing offers UV protection — fading is the most common way a framed piece degrades.
• Replacement parts are a normal purchase, not a failure. If glass breaks or acrylic hazes, you replace the glazing rather than the whole frame.

A quick decision path

1. Is the object flat, standard-sized, and single? → Picture Frames or Print + Frame.
2. Does it need a border or protection from the glass? → add a mat or choose Matted Frames.
3. Is it 3D, a puzzle, a diploma, or a TV? → go straight to that category.
4. Is it an odd size or a wall arrangement? → go custom, and confirm the outside dimensions before ordering, since size affects both fit and promotion eligibility.

If you're unsure between two options, the deciding question is usually protection: what will this piece look like in ten years, and does the frame you're considering get it there?

A shadow box frame is a picture frame with extra depth, so it can hold three-dimensional objects instead of just a flat print. Choose one when you want to display items like medals, ticket stubs, small collectibles, or clothing that a standard frame can't contain. The key decisions are interior depth, outer size, backing and mounting method, and how the frame will hang.

How a shadow box differs from a regular frame

A standard picture frame holds a flat print against glass or acrylic. A shadow box adds space between the glazing and the backing, creating a cavity where objects sit. That depth is what lets you display a medal on a ribbon, a folded shirt, or a group of small souvenirs without crushing them.

On ArtToFrame, Shadow Box Frames appear as a distinct product category alongside Picture Frames, Matted Frames, Collage Frames, and Acrylic Floating Frames. The site also lists related display options such as Diploma Frames, Gallery Walls, and Custom Cut Mats, which can be combined with a shadow box layout.

What you can display

Shadow boxes suit items that have some thickness or that you want to present as a small scene. Common uses include:

• Medals, pins, and ribbons
• Ticket stubs, programs, and maps
• Small 3D objects such as shells, keys, or figurines
• Clothing or fabric, like a baby onesie or a jersey section
• Grouped photos and keepsakes arranged together

If your item is completely flat, a standard or matted frame is usually simpler and less expensive. A shadow box earns its cost when the object needs room to sit forward of the backing.

Choosing the right size and depth

Measure the object first, then add margin. You need two numbers: the interior depth (how far the object projects from the backing) and the outer frame size.

ArtToFrame's upload tool notes a minimum selectable area of 4" x 6" and a maximum of 56" x 56", which gives a sense of the size range the platform works with. For a shadow box, confirm the depth separately, since overall size alone doesn't tell you how much room is inside.

Planning the interior layout

A shadow box is a small composition, so decide placement before you mount anything.

1. Lay the object and any accompanying items on the backing and move them around until the arrangement looks balanced.
2. Mark where each piece will sit, leaving even margins.
3. Choose a mounting method that won't damage the item: pins, adhesive dots, or a fitted mat with a cut opening.
4. For fabric or clothing, consider a backing board that supports the shape rather than stretching it.
5. Check that nothing touches the glazing once the frame is closed.

A Custom Cut Mat can create a window that holds a flat photo while leaving a deeper area for a 3D object, combining two display styles in one frame.

What to confirm when ordering a custom shadow box

Because shadow boxes are often custom, ask the seller about these points before you buy:

• Frame color and material
• Available interior depths
• Backing type and whether it accepts pins or adhesive
• Glazing material (glass vs. acrylic)
• Hanging hardware and weight limits
• Production and delivery time

ArtToFrame's site shows a photo upload flow that accepts JPG and JPEG files up to 150MB, with RGB recommended for accurate color, and notes that larger files can be sent via WeTransfer or Dropbox. If your shadow box includes a printed background or photo, that upload process is where you'd supply it. The site also states that you must own or have permission to print any image you upload.

A quick decision guide

Choose a shadow box if your item has depth or you want a layered, dimensional display. Choose a standard or matted frame if everything is flat and you want a simpler, lower-cost option. For mixed displays, a shadow box with a custom-cut mat lets you combine a flat photo and a 3D keepsake in one piece.

Before ordering, measure your object's thickness, pick a frame size with margin to spare, plan the layout, and confirm depth, backing, glazing, and hanging method with the seller.

Choose the frame style based on what you're displaying and where it will hang: a single matted frame for one focal photo, a collage frame for a group of related images, a shadow box for three-dimensional objects, and an acrylic floating frame when you want the image to appear suspended without a visible border. ArtToFrame organizes its catalog around exactly these categories — Picture Frames, Matted Frames, Print + Frame, Collage Frames, Shadow Box Frames, Acrylic Floating Frames, Gallery Walls, and specialty options like Samsung TV Frames and Puzzle Frames — so matching the product type to the display job is the fastest way to narrow down a choice.

Match the frame type to what you're displaying

If you're decorating a single focal wall, start with one matted or standard frame. If you're filling a staircase or hallway, a gallery wall or collage frame covers more area with fewer decisions.

Choosing between single, collage, and gallery wall layouts

The deciding factor is how many images you want visible at once and how much wall you're covering.

• One image, one statement: a single Picture Frame or Matted Frame. Use a mat when the photo is smaller than the wall space it needs to fill.
• Several images, one unit: a Collage Frame keeps spacing and alignment consistent without you measuring each hole.
• Several images, many frames: a Gallery Wall lets you mix sizes and orientations, but you control the layout.

For a gallery wall, lay the frames out on the floor first and photograph the arrangement before hanging anything. This catches spacing problems that are hard to fix once holes are in the wall.

Getting the size and mat right

ArtToFrame's upload tool accepts images between a minimum of 4" x 6" and a maximum of 56" x 56", which tells you the practical range for a custom print-and-frame order. Two things cause most rework:

1. Aspect ratio mismatch. A square photo in a rectangular frame leaves awkward gaps or forces cropping. Decide whether you're cropping the image or adding a mat to absorb the difference.
2. Mat width vs. image size. A wide mat around a small photo can make the image look lost; a narrow mat around a large print can look cramped. Custom Cut Mats let you set the opening to the exact image size rather than settling for a standard mat.

If you're framing something you already own — a diploma, a puzzle, a piece of memorabilia — measure the object itself, not the frame you think you need. Diploma Frames, Puzzle Frames, and Shadow Box Frames exist precisely because standard photo dimensions don't fit these items.

Special cases worth planning around

• Shadow boxes need interior depth measured against the thickest object you're displaying. A flat photo in a deep shadow box looks stranded; a medal in a shallow frame won't close.
• Acrylic floating frames suit contemporary interiors but show fingerprints and reflections more than matte options — relevant if the frame hangs in a hallway or at eye level near a light source.
• Samsung TV Frames are for hiding a TV in plain sight. This only works if the TV is already wall-mounted and you're willing to keep the screen displaying art when it's off.
• Replacement Glass & Acrylic matters if you're reusing a frame you already own rather than buying new.

Before you upload and order

The upload tool accepts JPG and JPEG files only, up to 150MB. For files larger than that, ArtToFrame asks you to send a WeTransfer or Dropbox link, using a test image clearly marked "Not To Be Printed." For accurate color, use RGB files. You confirm that you own or have permission to print the image, and the company reserves the right to refuse copyrighted images.

A few practical notes from the ordering flow:

• Only one promo code can be used per order, and codes can't be stacked.
• Promotions don't apply to products over 29x41 in outside size — worth checking before you assume a discount applies to a large gallery-wall piece.
• The site also lists Gift Cards and Canvas Prints if you're buying for someone else or want a non-framed option.

If your goal is a finished wall rather than a single frame, the sequence that avoids the most rework is: decide the layout (single, collage, or gallery), measure the wall and the images, pick the frame type that matches the content, then order custom mats or custom sizes to close any gap between the two.