Borders, Mounts & Framing Explained
Choosing the perfect finish for your framed print. Three simple options, one clear guide — so you know exactly how your artwork will look before you order.
The border, the mount, the passepartout — whatever you call it, the space around your artwork is one of the things our customers ask about most. It is also one of the easiest ways to change the whole feel of a finished piece. To keep things simple, we offer three finishes. This page walks you through each one, shows you how they look, and explains exactly how the size you choose relates to the artwork you receive.
First, the most important thing to understand
The size you choose is the overall, outside size of the finished framed piece — measured to the outer edges of the frame. Everything else sits inside that measurement. So if you add a printed border or a card mount, the frame stays the same overall size, and the printed artwork sits neatly within it. That means the artwork itself is largest when you choose no border, and a little smaller when you add a border or a mount. Nothing is lost — it is simply a matter of where the edge of the image falls inside the frame.
Outer edge = the size on the product page | White space = border or mount | Centre = your printed artwork
Your three finishes at a glance
Every framed print can be finished in one of three ways. Here is how each one looks and who it suits best.
1. 20 mm White Printed Border
A clean, even 20 mm band of white printed around your artwork, sitting between the image and the frame. It is the finish we recommend for almost every piece.
Why we love it: it gives your art room to breathe, creates a crisp, contemporary gallery look, and — because the border scales with the print — it looks perfectly balanced on a small print and a large statement piece alike. Consistent, elegant and hard to get wrong.
Best for: just about everything — modern and classic artwork, photography, prints and posters.
2. No Printed Border
Here the artwork runs edge to edge, right up to the inside of the frame. There is no white space at all — just the frame and your image.
The result: the largest possible artwork for the overall size you choose. The image fills the frame completely for maximum impact.
Best for: bold, full-bleed images, dramatic photography, landscapes and abstract pieces where you want the artwork to command the whole space.
3. Traditional Card Mount
A physical card mount (also called a passepartout) is a window of thick, quality card set around the artwork inside the frame, available in white or black. It lifts the image away from the glass and adds a sense of depth and occasion.
The feel: formal, traditional and gallery-like. A little old-fashioned by today’s tastes, but still much loved for classic and fine-art pieces, portraits and watercolours.
Please note: the card mount is not available in our smallest size (the mount would leave the artwork too small inside the frame) or in our largest size (it cannot be manufactured at that scale). It is available across the sizes in between.
A framed print from our collection. Custom photography showing all three finishes side by side is on the way.
Compare the three finishes
| Finish | The look | Artwork size | Best for | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 mm White Printed Border (recommended) | Crisp, modern, gallery-style white surround | Slightly smaller than the frame — balanced on every size | Almost everything, modern and classic | All sizes |
| No Printed Border | Image runs edge to edge to the frame | The largest possible artwork for the size | Bold, full-bleed images and photography | All sizes |
| Traditional Card Mount | Formal card surround with depth, white or black | Smaller artwork, set within a wide mount | Traditional and fine-art pieces, portraits | Not the smallest or largest size |
How to choose — a quick guide
Want a safe, beautiful choice? Go with the 20 mm white printed border. It flatters nearly every image and looks considered in any room.
Want the biggest, boldest image? Choose no printed border so the artwork fills the frame edge to edge.
Love a traditional, formal feel? A white or black card mount suits classic art, portraits and watercolours — just remember it is not offered in our smallest or largest sizes.
See the difference
We are having custom images made so you can see each finish on the same artwork. Here is where they will appear:
20 mm white printed border — close-up on a real print
No border — artwork edge to edge in the frame
Card mount — white and black mount examples
The finish you choose changes the whole character of a piece — from crisp and contemporary to warm and traditional.
Frequently asked questions
Which finish should I choose?
If you are unsure, choose the 20 mm white printed border. It is our recommended finish because it looks balanced and elegant on every size and suits almost any artwork. Pick no border for maximum image impact, or a card mount for a traditional, formal feel.
What size will my actual artwork be?
The size you select is the overall, outside size of the finished framed piece. The artwork is largest with no border, and a little smaller once a printed border or card mount is added, because those sit inside the same overall frame size.
Will a border or mount make my artwork look bigger or smaller?
The frame stays the same overall size either way. A border or mount gives the artwork breathing space and often makes it feel more considered and gallery-like, while no border gives you the largest possible image. It is a question of style rather than value.
What exactly is a card mount (passepartout)?
A card mount, also called a passepartout, is a window of thick, quality card placed around your artwork inside the frame. It frames the image with a clean margin, lifts it away from the glass and adds a sense of depth. We offer it in white or black.
Which finish suits a photograph, and which suits a painting or classic artwork?
Bold photography and graphic, full-bleed images often look striking with no border. Traditional paintings, portraits and watercolours tend to suit a card mount, which adds a classic, formal feel. The 20 mm white printed border is a safe, elegant choice for either.
Why isn’t the card mount available in every size?
In our smallest size, a mount would leave the artwork too small inside the frame to do it justice. In our largest size, a card mount cannot be manufactured to that scale. It is available across all the sizes in between.
What colours are the border and mount?
The printed border is a clean white. The card mount is available in white or black, so you can match the mood of your artwork and your room.
Does a mount or border help protect my print?
Yes. A card mount does more than look good, it holds the artwork slightly away from the glass, which helps keep the surface flat and protected over the years. A printed border is part of the print itself, giving a smooth, seamless finish.
Will a white border suit a dark or very colourful image?
Almost always, yes. A clean white surround frames the colour and lets a bold or dark image breathe, which is exactly why the 20 mm white printed border is our recommended, all-round choice. If you prefer no separation at all, choose no border for an edge-to-edge look.
I’m still not sure, can you help me choose?
Absolutely. We are always happy to help you pick the right finish for your artwork and your space. Get in touch before you order and we will point you in the right direction.
Ready to choose your finish?
Every framed print lets you select your preferred border or mount at checkout. Explore the collection and picture it your way.