How to See Your Artwork in a Frame Before You Buy

The short version: the quickest way to see your artwork in a frame before you buy is to upload a photo of it to an online preview tool and try different frames. On any of our picture frames, tap Preview Your Own Artwork, upload a photo, and your piece appears inside the frame so you can switch between finishes. Then tape a paper template the size of the finished frame to your wall to check it suits the space.

Those two checks answer the two questions people usually regret not asking: does this frame suit the art, and is it the right size for the wall? Here's how to do both, plus a few other options.

Five ways to preview a frame, compared

Method	Shows you	Good	Watch out for
Online preview tool	Your artwork inside the frame	Quick, free, and you can try lots of finishes in a few minutes.	Only as good as your photo. Screens vary, so colours are close rather than exact.
Paper template on the wall	The size and position	The most reliable way to judge scale. Costs nothing.	Doesn't show the frame style.
Photo mockup	The framed piece in your room	Good for seeing the art alongside your furniture.	Takes some editing skill to get the scale right.
Augmented reality (AR) app	A frame placed on your wall through your phone camera	Shows the frame in the actual room.	Scale can drift, so double-check with a tape measure.
Framing shop visit	Real moulding corners against your art	You see the true colour and texture of the wood.	You have to take the artwork in, and you only see a corner, not the whole frame.

For most people, an online preview plus a paper template covers everything. The preview settles the style; the template settles the size.

Previewing your artwork online, step by step

1. Measure your artwork, so you know which frame size you need. Our picture frame size chart helps if you're not sure.
2. Open any of our picture frames or canvas tray frames and choose your size.
3. Tap Preview Your Own Artwork and upload a photo of your piece.
4. Your artwork appears inside the frame. Switch between the frame finishes to compare them side by side.
5. Narrow it down to two or three, then check the size on your wall before you order.

How to take a photo that previews well

• Shoot it straight on. Hold your phone parallel to the artwork, directly in front of the centre, so the edges come out square rather than tapered.
• Use soft, even daylight. Near a window but out of direct sun. Avoid the flash, which leaves a bright spot.
• Kill the glare. If the piece is behind glass or has a glossy finish, tilt it slightly away from the light.
• Crop to the edges. Trim off the table, wall or floor around it, so only the artwork is left.
• Lay paper flat. Prints and drawings photograph best on a flat surface, weighed down at the corners if they curl.

Checking the size on your wall

A frame always looks smaller on a screen than on a wall, so this step matters more than it sounds.

1. Work out the outside size of the finished frame: the artwork size, plus any mount border, plus the width of the moulding on each side.
2. Cut a piece of paper or card to that size. Taped-together newspaper or brown paper works fine.
3. Tape it to the wall where you plan to hang it, with its centre at about 145 to 150 cm from the floor, or 20 to 30 cm above any furniture below.
4. Look at it from across the room, and leave it up for a day if you can.

If it looks lost on the wall, go up a size or add a mount. If it crowds the furniture, go down. There's more on placement in our guide to how to hang a picture.

What to look for when you compare frames

• Pick up a colour from the artwork. A frame that echoes a tone in the piece, a warm oak for earthy colours, black for strong contrast, tends to look intentional.
• Match the weight of the art. Bold, graphic pieces can carry a wider moulding. Delicate drawings and small prints usually suit something slimmer.
• Think about the room as well as the art. If you already have wood or metal finishes nearby, a frame that sits alongside them will feel at home.
• Consider a mount. A white or off-white border gives the artwork breathing space and makes a small piece look more substantial on the wall.

Common questions

Can I see what my picture will look like in a frame online?

Yes. On our picture frame and canvas tray frame pages, tap Preview Your Own Artwork and upload a photo of your piece. It appears inside the frame, and you can switch between finishes to compare them.

How do I know what size frame my artwork needs?

Measure the artwork's width and height. If you want it to fill the frame, choose a frame of the same size. If you want a mount around it, choose a frame larger than the artwork. Our picture frame size chart lists the common sizes in centimetres and inches.

How can I tell if a frame will be the right size for my wall?

Cut a paper template the size of the finished frame, including any mount and the moulding, and tape it to the wall. Looking at it from across the room is the most reliable way to judge scale.

How do I choose a frame colour for my artwork?

Pick up a colour that's already in the artwork, or go for a neutral black, white or natural wood if you want the art to do the talking. Previewing two or three options side by side usually makes the choice obvious.

Are the colours in an online preview accurate?

They're close, but screens and phone photos both shift colour slightly. Take your photo in soft daylight for the most faithful result, and treat the preview as a guide to the overall look.

More framing guides: photo and picture frame sizes, how to hang a picture and how to frame a canvas painting.

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