Least Expensive Framing Options

Glass

• Glass accounts for a major part of the expense of framing. You can save money by foregoing the glass and just keeping the picture in the frame itself. Or, if you insist on covering the art for either aesthetic or protective reasons, opt for a thin plastic covering that has the transparency and covering of glass but at a lower cost.

Prefabricated Frames

• Professional picture framers will tailor-make a frame to the dimensions of your painting or photograph. However, you can cut out the middleman and the associated expense by seeking out a prefabricated frame, widely available at discount clothing retailers or home goods stores. The drawback of such frames is that they're of lower quality and may or may not fit your particular work. Premade frames are best for framing photographs of standardized size, such as 6 inches by 8 inches or 8 inches by 10 inches.

Matte Board or Backing Board

• An alternative to expensive wood framing that still has an elegant, attractive look is matte board or backing board. Tack the art you want to frame to the board, which should be sized larger than the work itself and should be of a solid, neutral color, such as gray or black. Matte board is easy to size yourself to fit to different paintings or photos.

Other Inexpensive Framing Options

• Another inexpensive option is to search for cheap art sold in quality frames, such as at yard sales, second-hand stores or auctions. In some cases, the frame may be more valuable than the art itself. Discard the art, or put it aside, and use the frame for a more preferred work. Also peruse the shelves of local art stores or even framing shops for damaged or second-hand frames that may be on sale. This way, you can pick up a quality frame at a discounted price.