Acrylic Float Frames: The Modern Alternative to Traditional Wood Framing

An acrylic float frame sets your artwork behind clear acrylic so it appears to float off the wall, with no heavy border around it. It gives photos, prints and art a clean, modern look, and it’s a lighter, more shatter-resistant alternative to traditional wood framing with glass.

At Master Framing, we make acrylic float frames and provide picture framing in Zetland, Randwick, Waterloo and across Sydney. Our frame shop also serves North Bondi and Clovelly.

Below, we’ll explore what makes these frames so special.

What Is an Acrylic Float Frame?

An acrylic float frame is a modern, frameless way to display a photo or artwork. Your piece is face-mounted to a clear acrylic pane, or sandwiched between two clear panels, then held off the wall by a hidden metal backing frame so it looks like it’s floating. With no frame to distract you, the eye goes straight to the picture.

Mounting the art directly onto the acrylic also makes colours look richer, because there’s no gap between the artwork and the pane in front of it. Acrylic is lighter than glass and far harder to shatter, which makes it a great pick for busy homes, offices and public galleries.

Acrylic vs Wood: How They Compare

Acrylic float frames and traditional wood frames suit different artwork and different rooms. Wood gives a classic, warm border around a piece, while acrylic makes the artwork look like it’s floating, with clean edges and nothing competing for attention. Here’s how the two compare on look, protection and durability and.

The Look

A wooden frame has a channel that surrounds a stretched canvas or wooden panel, leaving a small shadow gap so your art appears to hover inside it. The result is warm and classic.

An acrylic frame holds your art in a clear panel, so the image looks like it’s floating straight off the wall. The result is clean and modern.

Weight and Safety

Wood is heavy and solid, so it needs sturdy wall anchors. A natural wood frame can also warp or crack in strong sunlight or humidity, but with the right care it will last for years.

Acrylic is light and shatter-resistant, so it’s a safe pick if you’ve got kids or pets at home. It’s also easy to hang and move. The surface scratches more easily, so give it a gentle wipe with a microfibre cloth.

Care and Upkeep

Both frame types are easy to look after, but they need different habits.

Wood is more forgiving day to day. A dry, soft cloth or a light dusting every few weeks is usually enough. The main risk is the environment. Humidity can cause warping or swelling, and direct sunlight can fade the finish over time. Keep wooden frames away from bathrooms and sun-drenched walls, and check the corners now and then for gaps or loose joins.

Acrylic scratches more easily than glass and attracts dust through static. Wipe it with a clean microfibre cloth, and use a damp cloth or an acrylic-safe cleaner for fingerprints. Skip paper towels and ammonia-based glass cleaners, which can scratch or cloud the surface. Light scratches can often be buffed out with an acrylic polish, while deeper ones usually mean replacing the panel.

Acrylic Vs Wood at a Glance

What Artwork Suits an Acrylic Float Frame?

Nature and ocean photography suits an acrylic frame. Vibrant colours, sunlight scenes and landscapes lend themselves to the borderless nature of an acrylic floating frame.

Contemporary art fits an acrylic frame. Bold colours, sharp lines and modern digital prints, unbound by a frame, can really speak for themselves.

If you have a piece of art that is signed, the frameless nature of an acrylic floating frame can show the art and the place where the artist signed it, adding an element of authenticity to the work.

Limited-edition fine art prints and glossy photographs, mounted in double-panel or face-mounted UV-protected acrylic, look fantastic. Acrylic shields high-gloss photographic papers while maintaining a seamless, floating gallery presentation.

You can see examples in our gallery.

What to Avoid

Works on paper that need backing mats. Watercolours and other art on paper generally need conservation matting and backing boards, so traditional framing suits them better than a sandwich-style acrylic float.

Thick and heavy stretched canvases are usually better suited for traditional wood or metal floater frames rather than flat acrylic panel sandwiches.

Picture Framing in Zetland, Randwick, Waterloo and Sydney

Acrylic float frames suit modern photos and prints that deserve to be the centrepiece, while wood remains the better fit for textured canvases and traditional works. Whichever suits your piece, a well-made frame protects it and shows it at its best.

At Master Framing, we offer picture framing in Zetland, Randwick, Waterloo and across Sydney. If you’re trying to find a frame shop in North Bondi or Clovelly, we can help you choose between acrylic and wood for your artwork.

Browse our acrylic float frames or get in touch to start your framing project.

FAQ

Is acrylic better than glass for picture framing?

Acrylic is lighter than glass and far more resistant to shattering, which makes it a safer choice for homes with kids or pets, offices and public spaces. The trade-off is that it scratches more easily, so it needs gentle cleaning.

How do I clean an acrylic float frame?

Wipe it with a clean microfibre cloth, and use a damp cloth or an acrylic-safe cleaner for fingerprints. Avoid paper towels and ammonia-based glass cleaners, which can scratch or cloud the surface.

Can I use an acrylic float frame for canvases or watercolours?

Not usually. Works on paper, such as watercolours, generally need conservation matting and backing boards, and thick stretched canvases suit a traditional wood or metal floater frame better.

Can I design my frame online?

Yes. Upload your image, pick a layout, then choose your frame size, style and finish and place your order in a few clicks.

Do you deliver Australia-wide?

Yes, we offer fast delivery across Australia.

How do I get a quote?

Fill in the contact form with details of your project and our team will get back to you. The more information you include, the more accurate the quote.

Can you frame sports jerseys and memorabilia?

Yes. We frame jerseys and other keepsakes with custom layouts and quality materials, so your piece is displayed and protected properly.

Do you print artwork and photos?

Yes. We can print your images on satin, gloss or metallic photo paper, fine art paper or canvas.

Do you stretch canvas?

Yes, we offer canvas printing and stretching for everything from family photos to large-scale artwork.