Frame It Easy offers affordable custom frames for students. Look, we know you’ve got textbooks to buy, late-night pizza to order, and that one friend who always “forgets” their wallet. The last thing you want to stress about is the cost of making your space feel like home. But bare walls get old fast, plus they’re kinda sad tbh. You want to put your favorite prints, photos, and memories on display without blowing your book budget to do it.
The good news: custom framing is way more affordable than it sounds, and we’re going to show you exactly how to get the gallery look on a ramen budget. (Yes, really.)
Custom Framing Sounds Expensive. It Doesn’t Have to Be.
Custom framing gets a bad rap for being pricey, but that’s because most people picture oversized statement pieces, hand-carved mahogany, museum glass, the works. In reality, “custom” just means it’s made to your exact size, style, and budget. It’s not a fancy upgrade; it’s a smarter way to get exactly what you need without paying for anything extra.
Here at Frame It Easy, we make every frame to order, so you’re never squeezing your art into an off-the-shelf size or wasting money on matting you don’t need. The real cost levers are things like frame style, print size, paper choice, and mat thickness, and once you know how to work those in your favor, you can keep your total low without sacrificing the look.
The Budget MVP: Our Wilton Frame
If you’re looking for our best value, start with Wilton. This wood frame has a clean, flat profile that’s a solid 1¼” wide, and it’s made from high-quality MDF wrapped in a classic woodgrain pattern, so you get that polished hardwood look at a budget-friendly price point.
Our Most Budget-Friendly Picture Frames
Because Wilton uses an eco-friendly composite instead of solid oak or maple, it costs less than our premium hardwoods while still looking sharp on your wall. It comes in a range of colors, too, so you can match your decor without sacrificing style.
Size Smart: Smaller Frames Cost Less
In framing, bigger sizes come with higher costs. That’s great news if what you’re framing is on the smaller side, like a 5×7 photo, a postcard print, or a mini art piece. Those cost a lot less to frame than a giant movie poster, even if you pick the same frame style and matting.
Don’t underestimate the power of a small frame, either. A few 5x5s or 8x10s clustered together can make more of a statement than one oversized piece, and it’s way easier on your wallet to build that gallery over time instead of dropping half your savings on a single giant frame. Start small, add as you go. Your budget will thank you.
Photo Paper Prints: Perfect for Posters (and Your Wallet)
If you’re uploading a photo or art print for us to print and frame, our photo paper is hands down the best value. It’s our most affordable paper option, and it still looks crisp and vivid for everyday prints, whether that’s a band poster, a campus pic, or that one meme you love so much you had to frame it.
Leave the premium papers for the fine art prints. For your dorm wall, first apartment, or starter spot, photo paper does the job beautifully without adding to the extra cost.
4-Ply Mats Give You the Look for Less
Want that polished gallery look without the gallery price tag? Two words: 4-ply mats. The mat is the border that goes around your art inside the frame, and it instantly makes any piece look more finished and intentional. But mats come in different thicknesses (that’s the “ply”), and the thicker you go, the more it costs.
4-ply is the standard mat thickness, and it’s all you need for a clean, elevated look. Even better, our 4-ply mats come in ANY color, and you can use our Smart Color Matching tool to find the perfect shade to make your art pop. Want a crisp white? A dramatic black? A just-right navy to pull out the blues in your print? You got it, all in an affordable matboard option.
Mini Frames, Major Style: Keepsakes, Tickets, Polaroids
The best part about custom framing? You can go small — like, really small. We’re talking 1.5″ x 1.5″ small. That’s the perfect size for framing concert tickets, Polaroids, pressed flowers, and all those little keepsakes that are too tiny for a standard frame but too meaningful to keep in a memory box.
Because we size the frame opening to fit your exact item (instead of using pre-set sizes and filling the gaps with oversized mats), you never pay for space you don’t need. It’s a custom fit for your budget and your art.
Calling All Art Students: Custom Framing Has Your Back
Okay, art majors, this one’s for you. You know that feeling when you finish a killer piece for class or a show and then realize it’s a totally random size that doesn’t fit any standard frame? We’ve got you!
Custom framing was made for this. We build your frame to the exact dimensions of your piece, no cropping your work to fit a cookie-cutter size, no awkward gaps around the edges. Keep the style minimal (Wilton works great here too), and put your money toward nailing the size. A frame that fits like it was made for the piece (because it was) reads as thoughtful and intentional, and that matters when you’re turning in work. The frame is part of the art. Period.
Your Budget Shouldn’t Cramp Your Style
Here’s the thing: being smart with your framing budget doesn’t have to mean compromising on style. With custom framing, you’re still in control of the frame color, the mat color, and the exact size. Every decision is still yours; it just costs a lot less than you think to get the look you want.
Framing on a student budget isn’t about settling for second best. It’s about making smart choices that get you the look you want at a price point you can afford. Opt for a wallet-friendly frame style, size it to your art, let the customization options work in your favor, and don’t be afraid to start small.
You can mix frame styles, mat colors, and sizes to create a gallery wall that’s 100% you — without blowing through 100% of your bank account to do it. Custom framing is custom first, budget-friendly second. You don’t have to sacrifice one to get the other.
Psst! Want to Be First in Line for Deals?
Creating a Frame It Easy account doesn’t just make ordering easier; it also puts you at the front of the line for exclusive discounts, early access to sales, and special promotions we only share with our inner circle.
Here’s how it works:
- Create your account with just your name and email.
- Keep an eye on your inbox. We’ll send you special discount codes, early bird access to major sales, and exclusive offers you won’t see anywhere else.
Signing up takes 30 seconds, and it’s the best way to make sure you never miss a chance to save. Become part of our framing fam and let the deals come to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is custom framing actually cheaper than buying a frame off the shelf?
It depends on the specifics, but custom framing is often the better deal, especially for art or photos that aren’t a standard size. You’re not paying for matting or frame space you don’t need, and you get a professional fit without the big-box mass-produced poor quality.
What’s the most budget-friendly way to frame something?
Start with our Wilton frame style, size the frame as close to your art size as possible, choose photo paper if you’re having us print it, and go with a classic 4-ply mat. Each of those choices keeps costs down without cheapening the final look.
Do bigger frames cost more?
Always. The larger your frame and mat, the more you’ll pay, even if the style and material are the same. Keeping your art size in check is one of the easiest ways to keep your spending in check too.
What’s the difference between 4-ply and 8-ply mats?
Ply is a fancy way to say thickness. 4-ply mats are the standard option (and the most budget-friendly). 8-ply mats are twice as thick, which creates a more dramatic, high-end look, but they come at a higher cost. If you’re on a budget, 4-ply gives you a clean, custom look without the added expense.
