Framing Triptych Prints, You Can But Should You?
- David Wilkins
- Apr 13, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 17, 2024
Deciding If Your 3 Panel Wall Art Will Benefit From Framing
Triptych prints, sometimes known as 3 panel prints or split panel prints, can be a really versatile & creative style of wall art for your home.
Multi-panel prints can be divided into 2 or more separate panels, some print services even offer 7 panel art prints.
But triptychs work well because groupings of 3 seem to be the most pleasing.
Landscape gardeners, florists, interior designers & other creative professions understand this law of three.
To explore further this style of wall art check out :
Like any style of wall art, framing can add or detract from an image depending on the medium it's printed to & the subject matter of the artwork.
Should triptych prints be framed? Often, triptych art can benefit from the right choice of frame. But there are times when a framed image within a 3 panel print won't suit a frame or look aesthetically pleasing.
Just as there are many photographs, paintings & graphics that can create a triptych, there's also a huge choice of framing styles available.
Even with triptych art prints, you need to choose a frame that compliments the image or set of images.
But not all art is enhanced by framing, so you first need to decide if your triptych print will benefit from being framed.
Does The Triptych Need Framing?
Just because you can doesn't always mean you should.
Like any piece of wall art, sometimes it can look nicer unframed.
When we think of triptychs & split panel prints, often canvas wraps come to mind.
But triptychs can be created as mounted photographs too.
Acrylic & metal prints are another option & although this print medium can be framed, they can often look best unframed.
The photograph or artwork itself will also determine whether it suits framing.
This landscape photograph is a wonderful composition & creates a beautiful triptych print.
Whether it's printed as a canvas wrap or on acrylic or metal, the flowing lines in the photograph are ideal for an unframed wall art set.
The same photograph also looks good framed, but keep in mind a thinner frame works best.
Matting this photograph simply doesn't work.
There's too much space interrupting the flowing lines & instead of the image being coherent, it becomes fragmented.
Whereas a different style of triptych art can really benefit from the same mounting & matting.
This abstract triptych print also looks good in a thinner frame without the matting.
Framing can also be an accent, helping to connect the artwork to other elements in the room.
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Although this 3 panel set looks fine unframed as well, I prefer it held within a frame.
I feel it can look a bit lost on the wall otherwise.
Frame & Matte Sizes
Exploring further what we've already touched on, the thickness of the frame & matting is also a consideration.
Generally, landscapes don't work well with too thick of a frame or matting.
The image loses coherency & becomes disjointed.
The same landscape photograph with a narrower matte looks really crisp, especially as the white matte provides relief from the darker image & black frames allowing the photograph to pop.
Abstract triptychs which are created from 3 images following a theme seem to work best with larger frame sizes & thicker matting.
Abstract triptych art works well with minimalist décor too & even in the office environment.
Unframed metal or acrylic prints are ideal for that modern feel, but the thick wooden frames work great to add some texture & relief from what could be a cold or uninviting space.
Are you looking for quality triptych art? I highly recommend Artexplore, as they support original artists.
Not All Panels Are The Same Size
A triptych wall art set can consist of 3 different panel sizes.
If you're buying a pre-made wall art set this would of already been figured out.
But if you're looking at turning one of your own photos or artworks into a framed triptych, you'll need to have an image that can transfer to various sized panels.
Separate images that convey a common theme are obviously a lot easier to work with.
Simply work out the sizes you'd like for each print & frame to suit.
Which leads us to our next consideration.
Standard Print Sizes To Suit Frames
Often with multi-panel prints, the image size is kept the same across various sized panels.
This means parts of an image are going to be cropped out depending on the size of the panel.
But an image can also be divided across 3 panels whilst retaining the entire image.
It can get expensive having custom frames made, so if you're turning an image into a triptych, it's much simpler to have standard size panels that can easily fit into common frame sizes.
Check out some FREE downloadable triptych wall art.
Final Thoughts
Even with single prints, the right frame can really enhance an artwork.
Triptychs are no different, it's just a bit more thought is needed due to being split across 3 panels.
Whether you've already purchased a triptych art set, or you're thinking of creating one from your own photos, I now hope you have a better understanding of how framing affects an image.
Another creative way triptychs can be used is to turn your family photos into fun, as well as wonderful wall art.
I hope you found value in this article & as always .. feel free to share the love!
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