The Best Paper and Frames for Digital Pet Portraits
You've received your custom digital pet portrait and you're ready to print and display it. Now comes the next decision: what paper should you print on, and how should you frame it? The right choices will make your portrait look stunning on the wall. Here's a practical guide.
Choosing the Right Paper
The paper you print on has a huge impact on how the finished portrait looks. Here are the main options:
Glossy Photo Paper
Glossy paper produces vivid, high-contrast colours and a shiny finish. It's widely available and works well for bold, graphic portrait styles. The downside is that it can produce glare under certain lighting conditions, which can make it harder to view from some angles.
Satin or Semi-Gloss Photo Paper
A popular middle ground — satin paper gives you good colour vibrancy without the strong glare of glossy. It's a versatile choice that works well for most portrait styles and most rooms.
Matte Photo Paper
Matte paper has no sheen, which means no glare — making it easier to view from any angle. Colours are slightly softer than on glossy paper, which suits painterly and watercolour-style portraits beautifully.
Fine Art / Giclée Paper
For the very best quality, fine art paper printed using giclée technology is the gold standard. These prints have exceptional colour accuracy, depth, and longevity — they're designed to last for decades without fading. If you're printing at a large size or want a truly museum-quality result, this is the option to choose.
Choosing the Right Frame
The frame you choose should complement the portrait without competing with it. A few principles to guide you:
- Keep it simple — a clean, simple frame lets the artwork speak for itself. Ornate frames can overwhelm a portrait.
- Match the style — a natural wood frame suits a warm, painterly portrait; a sleek black or white frame works well with more graphic or contemporary styles.
- Consider a mount (mat) — a white or cream mount around the print adds a gallery feel and gives the eye space to appreciate the artwork before it reaches the frame.
- Use UV-protective glass — this helps prevent fading over time, especially if the portrait will be displayed in a bright room.
Standard Frame Sizes to Aim For
Printing to a standard frame size saves you the cost of custom framing. The most common sizes are A4 (21 x 29.7cm) and A3 (29.7 x 42cm), both of which are widely available in a range of frame styles. If you're printing with a mount, factor in the mount width when calculating your print size.
More Advice on Caring for Your Print
Once your portrait is framed and on the wall, a little care will keep it looking beautiful for years. Visit our Care for Your Art page for tips on placement, cleaning, and long-term preservation.
Ready to Order Your Portrait?
Head to our Custom Pet Digital Portrait page to get started. Once your portrait is complete, you'll have a print-ready file to display however you choose.