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How Blick Custom Framing Works
We don’t accept mailed-in or dropped-off original artwork — instead, every frame is made to order and sent in the format that works best for you:
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Partially Assembled: Arrives pre-joined with instructions for adding your artwork and hanging hardware.
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Custom Frame Kit: Arrives unassembled with instructions and all components needed to build.
Assembly, Pricing, and Shipping
Assembly Options
Choose to have your frame shipped partially assembled or as a custom frame kit. To reduce shipping costs and help prevent damage in transit, oversized frames ship unassembled by default.
Assembly Instructions
All Custom Frame orders include instructions for assembly, inserting artwork, and hanging your frame. You can also access instructions for each frame type below:
Size & Pricing Details
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Maximum dimensions vary depending on whether you choose Frame Only or Frame + Mat.
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Our largest matboard size is 40" × 60"; oversized mat borders may require a custom cut and can affect pricing.
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Final dimensions and total price update in real time as you make your selections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there no bulk discount on Custom Services?
Custom Service orders are not eligible for discounts. We price all materials at our everyday lowest price, and the total cost reflects the time and effort required for your unique project.
Can my Custom Services order be rushed or shipped with 2nd-day air?
Rush orders and expedited shipping are not available for Custom Service orders.
Do you require payment up front?
Yes, full payment is required before we can begin work on any Custom Services order.
Can I return or exchange my Custom Frame order?
Due to the unique nature of custom work, all sales are final. However, we stand behind the quality of our work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you're not happy for any reason, contact our Customer Service Team and we'll make it right.
What if my order arrives damaged?
If your order is damaged in transit, please contact our Customer Service Team immediately. We'll work with you to resolve the issue and send a replacement as quickly as possible.
How to Measure Artwork
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Without a Mat: If you do not plan to include a mat, simply measure the exact width and height of your artwork and enter those dimensions when ordering.
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With a Mat: If you plan to include a mat, measure only the part of the artwork you want visible, including signatures or deckle edges.
We will automatically cut the mat window 1/4" smaller than your entered dimensions to ensure it holds the piece in place.
Note: Remember that the frame’s inner lip will also overlap your artwork (or mat) by approximately 1/4" on each side to secure the contents within the frame.
For more information, see Understanding Mat Overlap.
How To Measure Stretched Canvas for Framing
Canvas dimensions can vary slightly, so measure width and height at the top, middle, and bottom for accuracy. If the numbers differ, use the largest measurement when choosing a frame to ensure a fit.
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If the difference is more than 1/4", we recommend selecting a floater frame.
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Include the folded corners in your measurement, as these can add up to 1/8" beyond the stretcher bar size.
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Be sure to select a frame with a rabbet depth (the inner lip that holds the canvas) deeper than your stretcher bars. Rabbet depth is listed on each frame’s detail page.
How to Measure Art with an Existing Border or Reveal
- If your print or photo has a visible border you want to show (e.g., a signature), measure the artwork plus that border.
- Double the border width and add it to your artwork size—that’s your mat window opening.
- Enter the mat window dimensions as your “art size” and set mat overlap to zero so we don’t adjust it automatically.
Glossary: Framing Terms
Mat Opening Dimensions
The size of the visible opening in the mat. This matches your artwork size, with the mat window cut slightly smaller (typically 1/4" total overlap) to hold the artwork securely in place.
Inside Frame Dimensions
The exact space inside the frame where your artwork and any additional components sit. Remember that this measurement matches the outer size of your “stack"— artwork, plus any glazing, matting, and backing—rather than the portion visible from the front. A frame’s exterior dimensions will always be larger, depending on the width of the frame's molding.
Outside Frame Dimensions
The total finished size of the frame, measured from the outer edges of the moulding. This is the final size of the frame once assembled and the dimension you’ll use to plan wall space.
Rabbet Depth
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The depth of the frame’s inner lip. Rabbet depth is important for works on thicker substrates, including stretched canvas, panels, mounted board, or shadowbox displays.
Glazing
The clear protective layer placed over your artwork inside the frame. It shields the surface from dust, handling, and environmental exposure while allowing the artwork to remain fully visible. Glazing is typically made from glass or acrylic.
Blick Custom Framing uses crystal-clear, shatter-resistant acrylic, with optional UV-filtering grades to maintain color vibrancy over time.
Backing
Rigid board placed behind your artwork to keep it flat, supported, and securely positioned inside the frame. Blick Custom Framing uses acid-free, pH-neutral foamboard backing designed to support your artwork and preserve it over time.
Floater Frames
A frame style designed for stretched canvas, where the artwork appears to “float” within the frame with a small, intentional gap around the edges. Floater frames accommodate canvas depth and slight size variations while keeping the canvas edges visible.
How to Choose a Mat
Why Add a Mat?
Mats, also called window mats, create a visual border between your artwork and the frame’s glazing. A well-chosen mat offers several benefits:
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Protection: Creates space so glazing doesn’t press against the artwork
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Visual Balance: Makes small works feel more substantial and large works feel more open
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Design Impact: Color, texture, and proportion can change the mood of a piece
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Sizing Flexibility: Allows non-standard artwork sizes to fit your chosen frame
Why Layer Mats?
Layered mats add depth and visual interest, creating a professional, gallery-style presentation.
Stacking mats with slightly different window openings creates a stepped effect that draws the eye toward the artwork. The additional layers reveal narrow bands of accent color and increase the air space between the artwork and the glass for added protection.
Blick Custom Framing offers three mat layering options:
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Single Mat
One matboard layer with a single window opening. The artwork sits directly behind this opening, creating a simple, uninterrupted border.
Double Mat
Two stacked matboard layers. The top mat has the main window opening, while the bottom mat is cut slightly larger, so a narrow band of the lower mat is visible around the opening.
Triple Mat
Three stacked matboard layers. Each layer is cut progressively larger, creating multiple visible accent bands and a deeper, more dimensional window opening.
How to Choose a Mat Border Style?
Our builder lets you set mat width on all four sides—top, bottom, left, and right—individually. The default starting point is 2" borders on all sides.
As you adjust border widths, your frame preview updates in real time so you can experiment confidently. Use the guidelines below or a custom combination to highlight signatures, deckle edges, or printed titles.
Common Mat Border Styles
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Bottom-Weighted: Wider bottom border (2-1/2"–3") to visually center the artwork
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Wide Borders: 3"–5" on all sides for a bold, contemporary look
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Even Borders: Balanced on all sides; typical range is 1-1/2"–3"
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Thin Borders: 1-1/2" minimum for a clean, frame-forward presentation
Mat Border Sizing Limits
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Minimum: 1-1/2" per side
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Maximum: Based on your art size and our largest matboard (40" × 60")
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Oversized: Required if your chosen border sizes exceed standard matboard dimensions. Pricing updates automatically in the builder.
Understanding Mat Overlap
Mat overlap is the small portion of the mat board that covers the edges of your artwork. This serves two main purposes:
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Mechanical Support: It prevents the artwork from falling through the window opening.
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Visual Masking: It hides messy paper edges, printer marks, or registration lines.
Blick Custom Framing uses a standard 1/4" overlap for matted orders to provide a secure, professional finish.
Additional Design Options
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Colored Cores: Add a thin line of color inside the bevel cut.
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Fabric Textured Mats: Linen, suede, and other premium finishes.
Glossary: Mat Terms
Mat Composition
Paper or cotton rag matboard. Archival options help protect artwork for long-term display.
Core Color
The color of the beveled (cut) edge of the mat, commonly white, black, or cream.
Surface Texture
The finish of the mat’s face paper, such as smooth, linen, or lightly textured.
Surface Paper
The decorative top layer of the matboard, available in solid colors or patterns.
Ply
The thickness of the matboard. 4-ply is standard; 8-ply provides a deeper bevel and more dimensional presentation.