# Framed or unframed? Choosing how to buy your print

> What you get with an oak-framed print versus an unframed one, what picture framing costs in Ireland, and when it is worth framing locally instead.

- Canonical page: https://hollzphotography.com/blog/framed-or-unframed-prints
- Business: Hollzphotography — signed animal and Irish landscape photography prints
- Photographer: Amy Byrne, Ireland
- Contact: info@hollzphotography.com · 083 881 3982

- Published: 2026-08-09
- Reading time: 6 minutes
- Topics: picture framing ireland, framed prints ireland, framing costs, art prints ireland

Every print in the shop comes two ways: unframed, or ready-to-hang in a solid oak frame for **+€15 on any size**. Both are the same photograph on the same paper. The difference is entirely presentation, protection and cost.

## What the framed option includes

- Solid oak moulding, natural finish
- Acid-free mount board so the print never touches the glazing
- Museum-grade glazing
- Hanging hardware fitted, ready for the wall
- Protective packaging with corner guards

## What the unframed option includes

- The print on high-quality archival paper, signed on the reverse
- A white border for mounting
- Sent flat in protective packaging

## The real cost comparison

Bespoke picture framing in Ireland generally runs **€60–€150** for a print this size once you add a mount and decent glass. Off-the-shelf frames from a homeware shop start around €15–€30 but usually come in standard metric sizes that fight with an imperial print.

| Route | Typical total for a 12×16″ |
| --- | --- |
| Print + framing here | €45 |
| Print + high-street ready-made frame | €30 + €20–€40 |
| Print + bespoke local framing | €30 + €60–€150 |

Full pricing sits on the [prints and framing page](/prints).

## When to frame it yourself instead

- You want a specific timber, a coloured mount, or a wide gallery mount.
- You are matching frames that already hang in the room.
- You are building a large gallery wall and buying frames in bulk locally is cheaper.
- You are buying 5×5″ prints for a shelf and already own square frames.

Ordering unframed also cuts postage — an unframed print is lighter and cheaper to send than glazed timber, and there is no glass to worry about in transit.

## When to let me frame it

- It is a gift and it needs to arrive finished.
- It is going up straight away and you do not want a project.
- It is a large piece — a 16×24″ is the size people most often never get around to framing.

## A note on glass and light

Wherever you frame it, keep the print off a wall in direct sun. Archival prints are made to last for decades, but nothing survives an afternoon of south-facing glare every day for years. Bathroom walls and above radiators are the other two places to avoid.

Still deciding on size? The [print size guide](/blog/print-size-guide-inches) walks through which size suits which wall.

## FAQ

### How much does picture framing cost in Ireland?

Bespoke framing typically costs €60–€150 for a mid-size print once a mount and quality glazing are included. Ready-made high-street frames run €15–€40. Framing added to a print here is a flat €15 on any size.

### What frame do the prints come in?

A solid oak moulding in a natural finish, with an acid-free mount, museum-grade glazing and hanging hardware fitted, delivered ready to hang.

### Is it cheaper to buy a print unframed?

Yes. Unframed prints cost €15 less and postage is lower because an unframed print is lighter than a glazed frame. It also lets you choose your own frame to match a room.

### Are framed prints safe to post?

Yes. Framed prints ship in protective packaging with corner guards. If you would rather avoid glass in transit entirely, order unframed and frame locally.

## Pages

- [Print shop](https://hollzphotography.com/shop)
- [Gallery](https://hollzphotography.com/gallery)
- [Print guide](https://hollzphotography.com/prints)
- [Wall art in real rooms](https://hollzphotography.com/wall-art)
- [Print sizes guide](https://hollzphotography.com/print-sizes)
- [Gallery wall guide](https://hollzphotography.com/gallery-wall)
- [Gift guide](https://hollzphotography.com/gift-guide)
- [Journal](https://hollzphotography.com/blog)
- [About Amy](https://hollzphotography.com/about)
- [FAQ](https://hollzphotography.com/faq)
- [Pet portraits & commissions](https://hollzphotography.com/commissions)
- [Events](https://hollzphotography.com/events)
- [Contact](https://hollzphotography.com/contact)