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Floater Frames for Paintings

Floater Frames for Paintings

Amylee’s thoughts on Floater Frames for canvas

In museums, paintings often have one thing in common … Look more closely, and you’ll see the frame often hides the edges of the artwork! It’s a shame not to enjoy the whole painting, isn’t it?

3 or 4 years ago, a gallery owner spoke to me about a special type of frame: the FLOATER FRAME (which creates the illusion of a floating canvas).

Floater Frames for Paintings
True, it is increasingly common to see them now in galleries, in art shows or Art Fairs. Intrigues at showing my paintings in a new way, I tested it and I really liked it.

Floater Frames for Paintings
1. Floater frame:

Frames specially designed for paintings on stretched canvas or panels. Classic frames are placed in front of the artwork; the floater frame is placed behind it. Slightly larger than the painting, it surrounds the edges without touching the painting, and a beautiful light and shadow effect emphasizes the frame, whilst maintaining a discreet appearance that fits with most interiors.

Floater Frames for Paintings

2. The shapes:

Different shapes of frames exist for standard Stretched canvas or 3D Stretched canvas.

Floater Frames for Paintings

  • L Shape Floater frame
  • Stair step Floater frame
  • Tapered Floater frame
  • Floater frame with moulding

3. The Colour Range:

Black, White, Natural Wood, with 2 colours or custom colours.

Floater Frames for Paintings
4. The materials:

Wood remains the most common but there are also aluminium floater frames available.
NOTE: for artworks on paper (photographs, watercolours, drawings, etc.) the Floater Frames is not really recommended because lighter artworks require a frame with a rigid, non-open back.

Floater Frames for Paintings
5. The Fixings:

Clips that attach to the back of the frame and canvas are very useful for securing. A future post will be published to explain the process.

6. Your turn:

Framing up your paintings for exhibitions? If so, what frame do you prefer? Feel free to share in the comments below.

Floater Frames for Paintings


Information for this article was provided by professional fine artist, Amylee Paris. You can visit her colourful portfolio or follow her on Facebook and Instagram

Find all Amylee’s posts published in GreatArt online Magazine by clicking here!


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1 comment

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  • To make a painting look right within a floater frame, the canvas needs to be dead square, sometimes not easy unless great care is taken when applying the stretcher pegs into the back of the canvas.

    Unless a painting continues around the sides of the canvas, the edges of the canvas will need painting (to match or complement the colour of the frame). It looks messy otherwise.

    When the result is perfectly square and edges well finished, it does look good.