Framed or Unframed? Let's Work It Out
One of the most common questions I get from people browsing the site is whether to go framed or unframed. And honestly, it's a fair one. It's not always obvious which way to go, especially when you're buying online and can't hold the thing in your hands.
I'll walk you through the real differences so you can make the call with confidence. No waffle, just the practical stuff.
When Unframed Makes Total Sense
Unframed prints aren't the budget option. They're actually a great choice in the right situation.
Every unframed print from Local Breaks is printed on 250gsm premium matte art paper using giclee archival inks, so the quality is the same as what goes inside my frames. It arrives rolled in a protective tube, ready to drop into a frame you already own or source yourself.
If you've already got a frame you love, an unframed print gives you the most flexibility. You can match your existing timber, pick an unusual size, or source a frame locally. Some customers just want the print without the frame because they're renovating and haven't locked in a look yet. Totally makes sense.
Unframed is also a great option if you're interstate and want to keep shipping simple, or if you're buying as a gift and the recipient has their own framing preferences.
Why Most People Go Framed
The honest answer is that most people choose framed because it arrives ready to hang. There's no extra trip to a framing shop, no measuring twice, no messing around. You open the box and put it on the wall.
My most popular option is the classic frame. It's a solid FSC certified plantation timber frame available in black, white, or oak, with 2mm clear archival glass and metal wire hanging hardware. Comes with a 10-year warranty. It's a proper, premium product, not a cheap snap frame. When people talk about framed beach prints Australia, this is the kind of quality they should expect but don't always get.
The Point Addis Art Print I is my top seller and it looks incredible in the classic black frame. That aerial perspective of the coastline, the way the reef and the cliffs sit together, it's a print that holds its own as a real statement piece. Starts from $89.
The Canvas Option: No Glass, No Glare
If you've got a room with a lot of natural light, the floating frame canvas is worth a look. There's no glass at all, which means zero reflections. The print goes straight onto museum quality 400gsm Hahnemuhle Daguerre stretched canvas, then sits inside a solid timber floating frame with D rings and braided polymer hanging cable.
It's a different feel to a framed print. The canvas has a texture to it and the image wraps across a slightly thicker profile. A lot of people who've bought the Bells Beach Art Print I have gone with the canvas option because Bells Beach photos tend to have a lot of sky and ocean tones that really come through on canvas without any glass catching the light.
Want Something That Looks Like It Belongs in a Gallery?
That's what the shadow box frames are for. The glass sits 20mm off the print, which creates a subtle floating effect with a shadow around the edge. It just looks a bit more considered than a standard flat frame.
The premium shadow box goes further. It uses 308gsm Hahnemuhle Rag Mount Smooth fine art paper, 11-colour giclee archival inks, and Tru Vue Museum Glass with 99% UV protection and virtually no glare. If you've got a bright room or a space you really want to do justice, it's worth the upgrade. I wrote a full breakdown in Tru Vue Museum Glass: Is the Premium Shadow Box Frame Worth It for Coastal Wall Art? if you want to dig into the detail.
All frames across the range are FSC certified timber. If you want a full side-by-side comparison of every format, the product guide has got you covered.
Take the Coast Home
Whether you go framed or unframed, the print itself is what matters. I shoot every image personally at locations I know well, and every print is produced in Victoria using archival materials that won't fade or yellow over time.
Coastal wall art Australia-wide ships free. No pickup, but every order is printed to order and sent straight to your door. If you're not sure which size to go for, check the size guide for a room-by-room breakdown.
Start with the print that means something to you, then pick the format that suits your space. It really is that simple.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy a framed or unframed coastal print?
Buy framed if you want something ready to hang straight out of the box with no extra effort. Buy unframed if you already have a frame you love, want to source a custom frame yourself, or prefer flexibility for future reframing. The print quality is identical either way, printed on 250gsm premium matte art paper with giclee archival inks.
What is the difference between a classic frame and a shadow box frame?
A classic frame sits flat against the print with glass directly over it. A shadow box frame holds the glass 20mm off the print, which creates a floating shadow effect and gives the piece a more gallery-style look. Both use solid FSC certified timber and come with a 10-year warranty.
Are framed beach prints in Australia expensive to ship?
Shipping is free Australia-wide on all orders from Local Breaks, including framed prints. Everything is printed and shipped from Victoria. There is no international shipping and no local pickup option.
What is the best framed print format for a room with lots of natural light?
Go with the floating frame canvas, which has no glass at all and therefore no reflections. If you prefer a framed print with glass, the premium shadow box uses Tru Vue Museum Glass that virtually eliminates glare and provides 99% UV protection, making it a strong choice for bright rooms.
Still not sure? Feel free to reach out. I'm happy to help you pick the right format for your space.
