How To Print Your Printables

Choosing the Right Paper

The paper you choose can completely change the look and feel of your print. Matte gives a soft, modern touch, glossy makes colors pop, and textured adds depth—each creates a different vibe.

• Matte Paper – Ideal for a modern, soft, non-reflective look, making it great for detailed artwork and muted tones. Colors appear smooth and natural.
• Glossy Paper – Produces vibrant, high-contrast prints with a shiny finish. Best for colorful designs but can reflect light, making it less suitable for well-lit spaces.
• Textured Paper – Mimics fine art paper, with a slightly rough surface that adds depth and a luxurious, museum-quality feel, perfect for artistic prints.
• Heavyweight Paper (200-300gsm) – Thicker and more durable than standard paper, giving prints a premium feel while preventing curling and creasing.
• Cardstock Paper – A thicker, more rigid option than regular paper, often used for posters, greeting cards, and prints that don’t require framing. It provides a sturdy feel but may not have the same high-quality finish as fine art papers.

Before purchasing, check the paper’s weight (gsm), finish (matte, glossy, textured), and printer compatibility to ensure the best results for your prints.
Using the right paper makes a huge difference in print quality, and luckily, there are several reliable places to buy it:

• Amazon - A great option for convenience and variety, Amazon carries everything from matte photo paper to textured fine art paper. It’s ideal for finding budget-friendly packs or specialty papers in different weights and finishes.
• Office Supply Stores (Staples, Office Depot) - If you need paper immediately, local office supply stores often have high-quality cardstock, glossy, and matte photo paper. While their selection may not be as wide as online retailers, they offer same-day pickup for quick projects

• Specialty Art & Photography Shops (Red River Paper, B&H Photo, Moab Paper) - These stores offer professional-grade papers, including archival fine art paper, giclée-quality prints, and heavyweight matte options. They’re perfect for those looking for gallery-level quality and longevity in their prints.

Framing Your Print

A great print deserves the right frame. The right choice can enhance colors, add character, and complement your space—whether it’s a sleek modern frame, a classic wooden border, or a frameless look for a more minimalist style. When choosing a frame, consider the artwork’s color palette and your room’s decor to create a balanced, cohesive look.

A mat adds a gallery-style, professional look by creating a border around the print. It helps draw focus to the artwork and protects it from direct contact with the glass.
However, using a mat reduces the visible print area, so it’s important to choose the right size to maintain the composition.

The right frame can enhance your print’s aesthetic and tie it into your space.

• Black frames offer a sleek, modern look that works well with bold or monochrome prints.
• White frames keep things light and minimal, great for airy, contemporary spaces.
• Natural wood frames add warmth and an organic feel, making them ideal for botanical or vintage-style artwork.

A great frame doesn’t have to come with a high price tag. Whether you’re looking for sleek and modern, classic wood, or a simple budget-friendly option, these stores offer some of the best affordable frames in the U.S.

• IKEA - Known for its minimalist and modern designs, IKEA offers a wide range of budget-friendly frames in various sizes and finishes. The RIBBA series, for example, is a popular choice for its simplicity and affordability. Prices often start as low as $3.99.
• Walmart - Walmart provides a vast selection of picture frames at competitive prices, catering to different styles and needs. Their Mainstays line is particularly noted for offering budget-friendly options, with sets of frames available for under $20.
• Michaels - As a craft store chain, Michaels offers a diverse array of frames, from simple designs to more elaborate styles. They frequently run sales and provide coupons, making it possible to purchase quality frames at discounted prices. Their Studio Décor Belmont line is well-regarded for its variety and affordability.

Additionally, thrift stores and garage sales can be excellent places to find unique and inexpensive frames. Many interior designers recommend checking these venues for vintage or high-quality frames at a fraction of the original cost.

Troubleshooting Common Printing Issues

• The way you save and upload your file can impact print quality. If you’re using an iPhone, avoid saving the JPG as a photo, as this may compress the file and reduce resolution. Instead, select “Save to Files” to preserve the original quality.
• Some printing platforms may automatically compress or resize files during upload. Always check their recommended file settings and ensure you’re uploading the highest-quality version. If you’re unsure, feel free to reach out, and I’ll guide you through the process!

• Check the resolution (300 DPI or higher) – DPI (dots per inch) determines how much detail an image holds. 300 DPI is the standard for high-quality printing. If the file is 72 DPI (web resolution), it won’t print clearly. Always download or save your print-ready file in 300 DPI for the best results.
• Avoid enlarging the image – If you try to stretch a small file (like 1000x1500 pixels) into a large print (like 16”x24”), it will become pixelated and blurry. Always choose the correct size for your frame or print request.
• Print settings matter – If you’re printing at home, make sure your printer settings are on “Best Quality” mode. Some default settings use lower quality to save ink, which can make prints look blurry or grainy.

• It’s common for prints to look slightly different from what you see on your screen. This happens because screens and printers display colors in completely different ways:
• Screens emit light, while prints rely on ink – On a screen, colors appear brighter and more vibrant because they are backlit. When printed, the colors rely on physical pigments and may look slightly darker or muted in comparison.
• Different screens show colors differently – The same image can look warmer, cooler, or more saturated depending on the screen settings. A phone, laptop, and desktop monitor may all display the same image in slightly different tones.
• Printers interpret colors differently – Some printers may automatically adjust colors based on their ink type and paper settings. If you’re using a print shop, ask if they modify colors before printing.

• If your print doesn’t fit your frame properly, it’s likely due to a mismatch in aspect ratios. This means the proportions of your print don’t align with the shape of your frame, causing white borders, unwanted cropping, or stretching when trying to make it fit.
• Check the aspect ratio before printing – Every frame size has a corresponding aspect ratio (the relationship between width and height). For example, if your frame is 8”x10” (4:5 ratio) but your print is made for 16”x24” (2:3 ratio), parts of the image will be cut off or won’t fit correctly. Before printing, always compare the aspect ratio of the print file with the frame size to avoid resizing issues.
• Need resizing? If your frame size doesn’t match any of the included aspect ratios, send me a message! I’ll resize the file for free so it fits perfectly without losing quality.
• If you already printed your artwork and it doesn’t fit, you can also try using a mat (bordered frame insert) to help adjust the size while keeping the full image visible.