Everything You Need to Know About Unframed Art Prints

We're happy to introduce our new rolled canvas prints and rolled archival paper prints! In this blog post, we'll cover what rolled prints are, the benefits they offer, how they are shipped, and tips for framing and maintaining them. Rolled prints are a perfect way to refresh your home decor without breaking the bank.

What are Rolled Prints?

Rolled prints are unframed art prints that are shipped to you in a rolled format. We offer these prints in two high-quality materials: canvas and archival paper. The canvas prints come with a 3-inch mirrored border, and the paper prints are true to size - with no extra border. The border on the canvas prints allows for easy matting, trimming, or stretching onto a wood frame.

Rolled prints to give you more flexibility and affordability when it comes to home decor and re-decorating! With rolled prints, you can choose frames that match your personal style or swap out artwork easily in existing frames you already love, keeping your decor fresh without the higher cost of having to purchase your art in a frame. This approach provides a convenient and cost-effective way to enjoy beautiful art in your home.

Benefits of Rolled Prints

Flexibility

With rolled prints, you have the flexibility to choose your own frames or display options. The archival paper prints are cut true to size to make it easy to add them directly to your frames. The 3" mirrored border on canvas prints can also be trimmed to fit picture frames or can be used to display the canvas on a stretcher bar frame. 

Variety

We offer a wide range of print sizes, ensuring you can find the perfect piece for any space in your home. Maybe you really love two or three different pieces, and aren't sure which will work best in your space. Whether you prefer large statement pieces or smaller artworks, rolled prints provide plenty of options.

Affordability

Rolled prints are less expensive than framed prints, making them a budget-friendly option for art lovers. The lower cost allows you to purchase multiple prints without breaking the bank. Frames can be expensive, but once you've purchased one of our framed prints you can easily swap in rolled prints.

Convenience

Rolled prints are delivered straight to your door! They come rolled in protective packaging and a triangular box, ensuring they arrive in perfect condition without the bulk and weight of framed prints, and with less waste to dispose of after.

Framing Your Rolled Paper Prints

Once you receive your rolled paper print, you can hang it as a poster, or you can put it in a frame to display it. When it comes to sizing, the dimensions on our website tell you the exact size of the art, and there is no white border around the edge - so if you want to add a mat to your paper print you'll need to get a frame a size up or cover some of hte picture. Here are some tips to help you get started with the framing process:

How to Flatten Rolled Art Prints

Our rolled prints arrive ready to frame, but if you find it difficult to work with, or plan to put it up unframed you can flatten it by laying it face down on a clean surface and placing a few heavy books on top. Leave it for a day or two to help it flatten out. This step is completely optional if you're adding the print to a picture frame, since the glass and backing will keep the print in place.

Framing a Rolled Archival Paper Art Print

Once you are ready to frame your new print, choose a frame that complements your print and decor. It's as simple of removing the back of the frame, adding in the print and sealing the back. Ensure the print is securely placed in the frame to prevent any ripples or wrinkles, and enjoy your new artwork! 

How to Frame a Rolled Canvas Print

With rolled canvas art prints you can also cut them down to size and put them in a traditional picture frame, but there's also another popular option! Canvas prints come with an extra 3" of mirrored border so they can be stretched over a frame, giving them a gallery-quality look.

Stretching Canvas on a Stretcher Bar Frame

1. 1. Prepare the Canvas Print: Lay your unframed canvas art print face down on a clean, flat surface. Ensure the surface is free of dust and debris to avoid damaging the print. If you find the print rolling back up and difficult to work with you may want to lay some heavy books on it to flatten it a bit more before attaching it to the stretcher bar.
2. 2. Center the Frame: Place the stretcher bar frame on the back of the canvas, centering it so that the image is positioned correctly. Make sure the 3-inch mirrored border of the canvas is evenly distributed around the frame.
3. 3. Secure One Side: Starting with one side of the frame, fold the canvas over the stretcher bar and secure it with a staple in the center of the bar. Pull the canvas taut but not overstretched.
4. 4. Secure the Opposite Side: Move to the opposite side of the frame. Pull the canvas tight and place a staple in the center of the bar. The tension should be even, with the canvas lying flat against the frame.
5. 5. Secure the Remaining Sides Repeat the process for the remaining two sides, pulling the canvas tight and placing a staple in the center of each bar. Ensure the tension is even on all sides. After securing the centers of all four sides, start working towards the corners. Add staples every 2-3 inches, alternating sides to maintain even tension. Use canvas pliers to help pull the canvas tight if needed.
6. 6. Fold and Staple the Corners: When you reach the corners, neatly fold the canvas as if wrapping a gift, and secure it with staples. Make sure the folds are flat and the corners are tight.
7. 7. Check for Smoothness & Trim Excess: Inspect the canvas to ensure it is smooth and tight across the frame. If there are any loose areas, adjust by pulling the canvas tighter and adding more staples. Once you're satisfied use scissors to trim any excess canvas from the back of the frame, leaving about an inch of canvas beyond the staples. This keeps the back neat and prevents the canvas from unraveling. Now you're ready to hang!

Refreshing your Space

One of the biggest advantages of unframed art posters is the ability to refresh your space affordably. If you already have frames, you can easily swap out the art with new prints, giving your home a fresh look every season without the cost of buying new framed artwork. This flexibility allows you to keep your decor up-to-date and exciting. You can update your space to suit your mood, the season, or for special themed events!

Care and Maintenance for Rolled Prints

To preserve the quality of your rolled prints, follow these tips:

• • Frame Them: Framing your prints helps protect them from dust, dirt, and damage.
• • Proper Storage: When not in use, store your rolled prints in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Use a protective tube to keep them safe.
• • Avoid Sunlight: Hang your framed prints away from direct sunlight to prevent fading and discoloration.
• • Moisture Protection: Keep your prints away from areas with high humidity to avoid damage from moisture.

Unlock Endless Possibilities with Unframed Art Prints!

Hopefully you have found this informative and are feeling inspired with ideas for redecorating! Unframed art offers an affordable, flexible, and convenient way to enjoy beautiful art in your home. Whether you're looking to refresh your space or add new pieces to your collection, our unframed canvas wall art and archival paper rolled art prints provide endless possibilities. Explore our collection today and discover the perfect prints to enhance your decor.