Framed or Unframed? Let's Actually Work It Out
I get this question a lot. Someone lands on one of my prints, loves it, and then stares at the options wondering whether they should go framed or just grab the unframed print and sort it out themselves. Totally fair question. The answer genuinely depends on your situation, so let me walk you through it the same way I'd explain it to a mate.
What You're Actually Getting With Each Option
Unframed Prints
The unframed print is printed on 250gsm premium matte art paper using giclee archival inks, then rolled and shipped in a protective tube. It's a proper quality print, not a poster. The inks and paper are archival, meaning they won't fade or yellow over time.
This option makes sense if you've already got a frame you love, or if you want to source your own locally. Some people prefer a specific frame style I don't stock, or they want to match an existing frame in their home. Totally valid. You're not compromising on the print quality by going unframed.
Framed Prints
My framed options are printed and framed right here in Victoria. No flat-pack frames, no DIY assembly. They arrive ready to hang. All frames are solid FSC certified timber, and every framed product comes with a 10-year warranty.
If you're after framed beach prints in Australia and you don't want the hassle of sourcing a frame separately, this is the easier path. You pick the print, pick the size, pick the frame style, and it shows up at your door.
Which Frame Style Should You Choose?
Classic Frame (Most Popular)
The classic frame is my most popular option by a wide margin. It uses 2mm clear glass over the same 250gsm giclee print, with solid timber in black, white or oak. It hangs on a metal hanger and steel wire. Clean, sharp, done. For most walls, most rooms and most budgets, this is the one I'd recommend starting with.
Something like the Point Addis Art Print I in a classic black frame is a seriously good-looking piece. That print is my top seller, and for good reason. The colours in it are rich and the framed version really does the image justice.
Floating Frame Canvas (No Glass, Great for Light-Filled Rooms)
The floating frame canvas uses museum quality 400gsm Hahnemuhle Daguerre stretched canvas with no glass at all. That means zero reflections, which makes it a great pick for living rooms or bedrooms that get a lot of natural light. The canvas wraps over a solid timber frame and the print floats inside. It's a different look to the classic frame, a bit more contemporary, and it photographs really well too.
Shadow Box Frames (for Something a Bit Different)
The shadow box frames sit the glass 20mm off the print, which creates a subtle floating shadow effect between the print and the glass. The standard shadow box uses 2mm clear glass and 270gsm fine art paper. The premium shadow box steps it up further with 308gsm Hahnemuhle Rag Mount Smooth paper, 11-colour giclee inks, and Tru Vue Museum Glass with 99% UV protection and virtually no glare. If you've got a bright room with harsh light hitting the wall, the premium shadow box is worth considering. I go deeper on that in this post about whether the premium shadow box is worth it.
When to Go Unframed vs Framed: The Short Version
- Go unframed if you have a frame already, want to source your own, or are buying a gift and the recipient prefers to choose their own frame style.
- Go classic framed if you want something ready to hang with no fuss. It's the most popular option for good reason.
- Go floating frame canvas if your room gets a lot of natural light and you want to avoid reflections.
- Go shadow box if you want something with a bit more depth and visual interest on the wall.
- Go premium shadow box if you're putting it in a bright or high-glare space and you want the best possible print quality.
Take a Piece of the Coast Home
Whether you go framed or unframed, the whole point is getting a print of a place that actually means something to you on your wall. I shoot every image myself at real locations I know well, so there's nothing generic or stock about these. Prints start from $89 and shipping is free anywhere in Australia.
If you're after framed coastal wall art and you're not sure where to start, the Point Roadknight Art Print II is one of my most consistent sellers. It's a print people buy as a gift for someone who knows and loves that stretch of coast, and it looks genuinely beautiful in a classic frame. Check out my full framed vs unframed guide if you want more detail before deciding.
Not sure what size to get? Head to the size guide for a visual comparison, or the product guide to compare frame options side by side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a framed print and an unframed print?
An unframed print is the artwork only, printed on 250gsm premium matte art paper and shipped rolled in a protective tube. A framed print arrives ready to hang, with the artwork already mounted inside a solid timber frame with glass. If you don't already have a frame or prefer not to source one yourself, framed is the simpler option.
Are framed beach prints in Australia worth buying online, or should I frame them myself?
Buying a framed print online is worth it if you want a hassle-free result and you're confident in the frame quality. My framed prints use solid FSC certified timber, archival glass and come with a 10-year warranty, so you're not getting a cheap frame slapped around a good print. If you already have a frame you love or want full control over the framing style, the unframed print is a solid choice too.
Which frame style is best for a room with a lot of natural light?
For bright rooms with lots of natural light, the floating frame canvas is a great option because it has no glass, which means no reflections at all. If you prefer a framed print with glass, the premium shadow box frame uses Tru Vue Museum Glass that virtually eliminates glare and provides 99% UV protection, making it the best choice for high-light spaces.
Can I buy a coastal print as a gift if I don't know what frame they prefer?
Yes. The unframed print is actually a popular gift choice for exactly this reason. It lets the recipient choose their own frame to suit their space. Alternatively, the classic frame in black, white or oak covers most interior styles and is my most popular framed option, so it's a safe pick if you want to give a gift that's truly ready to hang.
Any questions about which option suits your space? Flick me a message. I'm always happy to help you find the right fit.
