How to Frame Street Art: A Complete Guide

Making wrong framing choices can ruin a piece you paid serious money for. We are here to prevent that from happening! Whether you've bought a limited edition screen print, an original spray piece, or something from a recent drop, the framing decision matters. This guide covers everything you need to know about framing street art properly.

Why framing street art matters

Street art prints are often printed on uncoated or lightly coated papers - sometimes with deckled edges that are part of the work. The framing choice directly affects how the finished piece looks on the wall and how well it holds up over time. Acid migration from cheap materials will yellow your print over decades. UV light will bleach the colours. Getting this right is worth the extra time and effort as what you're doing is essentially protecting your investment.

The best mounting option for street art: shadow float mounting

For most street art prints, float mounting is the right choice. Rather than covering the edges of the print with a window mount, float mounting suspends the artwork on the backing board - the print appears to hover, with a subtle shadow underneath it. It adds depth and draws the eye directly to the work.

This matters for street art specifically because many limited edition prints have deckled edges, torn edges, or printing that bleeds to the very edge of the paper. Float mounting lets those edges remain fully visible. A traditional window mount would hide them.

Box framing houses the artwork inside a deep frame with no glass touching the surface. We also offer bespoke fillets - small colour strips between the inner edge of the frame and the artwork - so you can pick up a tone directly from the print itself!

Bespoke box frame and fillets done at BSMT

Bespoke box frame done at BSMT

Bespoke box frame and fillets done at BSMT

Bespoke box frame and fillets done at BSMT

Bespoke box frame and fillets done at BSMT

Bespoke box frame and fillets done at BSMT

Bespoke box frame done at BSMT

Glazing Options: What Actually Matters

The glass you choose affects how your art looks and lasts. Here's what you need to know.

Standard Float Glass

Solid, affordable protection that keeps dust and fingerprints off your artwork. No UV filtering or reflection control, so it works best in spaces without direct sunlight or strong lighting. A practical choice when budget matters or for pieces that don't need specialist protection.

Anti-Reflective Glass (AR70)

Cuts reflections by 70%, so you see the artwork instead of glare and reflections. Makes the glass nearly invisible, which means the art feels more immediate.

Still no UV protection, so not ideal for valuable work. But for contemporary prints, photography, or well-lit spaces where visibility matters, it's a smart upgrade without museum-grade pricing.

Museum Glass

UV-protective glass is the standard choice for any print you care about. UV filtering glazing blocks up to 99% of ultraviolet radiation - the main cause of fading and colour shift over time. For high-value pieces, museum-grade anti-reflective UV glass eliminates surface glare and gives you the clearest view of the work.

Acid-free materials - why they matter

Every frame we build uses acid-free, archival-quality mount boards and backing boards throughout. Acid migration from non-archival materials will gradually transfer to your artwork, yellowing paper and degrading inks. Conservation-grade materials are also fully reversible: the print can be removed years later without damage. That's the correct approach for any limited edition or original work.

Bring it in

Bring your print in and we'll advise on the best approach. If you can't make it in, send us a photo and dimensions and we'll come back to you with options!

Ready to get your street art framed? Visit BSMT at 529 Kingsland Road, Dalston - or get in touch at hello@bsmt.co.uk