How to print and frame a vintage art print at home

TL;DR — To print and frame a vintage art file well, print on good matte fine-art paper at 300 dpi, choose a standard size (8×10, 11×14, or 16×20 inches), add a wide acid-free mat, and use a simple frame with UV-filtering glazing away from direct sun. This guide walks through each step and the reasoning — drawn from how conservators and framers treat works on paper — behind it.

By The Day Press · Published July 2026

Start with paper and size

The single biggest quality jump comes from paper. A matte, heavyweight fine-art or photo paper holds the soft colour and fine detail of a restored chromolithograph far better than ordinary office paper, which looks flat and buckles as it absorbs ink. Choose a standard frame size first — 8×10, 11×14, or 16×20 inches — so framing is cheap and off-the-shelf, then print to match. Our files are prepared at all three sizes.

Deciding the size before you print, rather than after, saves you from awkward cropping or a print that no standard frame fits.

Print at 300 dpi

Print at 300 dpi (dots per inch) at your chosen size. At that resolution the individual dots are too fine for the eye to separate at normal viewing distance, so the print reads as sharp and continuous. Our files carry enough resolution to hold 300 dpi even at 16×20 inches. If you print at home, choose the correct paper type in the printer dialog and turn off any automatic colour ‘enhancement’; if you use a print shop, ask for a matte fine-art stock.

Mat and frame for a museum look

A wide mat — the border of card around the image — is what makes a print look framed rather than tacked up. It also serves a conservation purpose: it holds the artwork away from the glass, preventing the two from touching. Use an acid-free mat two to three inches wide, in off-white or cream rather than bright white, which can look cold against the warm tones of antique prints. Keep the frame itself simple: thin black, natural wood, or gilt for holiday and fashion subjects.

This is essentially how museums frame works on paper: a generous acid-free mat, a restrained frame, and glazing that never touches the art.

Hang it well, and protect it

Hang the framed print at eye level — centre it about 57 inches from the floor — and keep it out of direct sunlight, which fades any print over time. On a bright wall, UV-filtering glass or acrylic adds real protection. These few precautions are the difference between a print that stays vivid for decades and one that yellows within a few years.

A quick checklist:

Choose a standard size before you print
Use matte fine-art paper
Print at 300 dpi, paper type set correctly, auto-colour off
Add a 2–3 inch acid-free off-white mat
Finish with a simple frame and UV-filtering glazing
Hang at eye level, out of direct sun

Every file in our archive is prepared for exactly this — print-ready at three sizes, restored from a public-domain original. Find a print to start with →

Frequently asked questions

Can I print these at home?

Yes. A good inkjet on matte fine-art paper gives excellent results up to 11×14 inches; for 16×20 a print shop may give a cleaner result, but home printing works well.

What size should I choose?

Pick the size to fit your wall and frame. 11×14 suits most rooms; 16×20 makes a statement; 8×10 fits a shelf or desk.

Why an acid-free mat?

An ordinary mat’s acids can, over years, discolour the edges of the print. An acid-free mat protects it and is standard conservation practice.

Do I need special software?

No. Any photo viewer or your computer’s print dialog can print the file at the right size.

How to print and frame a vintage art print at home

Start with paper and size

Print at 300 dpi

Mat and frame for a museum look

Hang it well, and protect it