Framed vs Frameless Paint by Numbers: The Complete Comparison
When shopping for a paint by numbers kit, one of the first decisions you will face is framed vs frameless. Should you pay more for a kit that comes pre-stretched on a wooden frame, or save money with a rolled canvas you frame yourself? This guide breaks down the real differences.
At ArtistryByNumbers, the canvas ships unframed, with an optional DIY frame kit of wooden bars you assemble yourself. Free shipping to the US, Canada, the UK, the EU, Australia and New Zealand and Buy 2 Get 1 Free on every order.
Want to paint this yourself?
Turn one of your own photos into a numbered canvas (from $19.95). We trace it, mix the paints to match, and ship the kit with brushes.
Or pick a ready-made design
- Bold and Free Painting by Numbers Premium Kit (from $19.95)
What Is a Framed Kit?
A framed kit arrives with the canvas already stretched and stapled onto a solid wooden stretcher frame. You unbox it, set it on your table or easel, and start painting immediately. When finished, the painting is ready to hang directly on your wall.
Pros of Framed Kits
- Ready to paint immediately: no preparation needed
- Stable painting surface: the frame keeps the canvas taut and flat
- Ready to hang when finished: no extra framing costs
- Professional feel: stretched canvas gives a gallery-quality experience
- No wrinkles or creases: the canvas stays perfectly smooth
Cons of Framed Kits
- Higher price: typically $8-15 more than frameless
- Heavier shipping: larger package, though we offer Free shipping to the US, Canada, the UK, the EU, Australia and New Zealand
Browse our kits (canvas ships unframed, DIY frame kit optional)
What Is a Frameless Kit?
A frameless kit ships the canvas rolled in a tube or folded flat. You need to either tape it to a flat surface, use clips to secure it to a board, or purchase stretcher bars separately.
Pros of Frameless Kits
- Lower price: more affordable entry point
- Compact shipping: arrives in a smaller package
- Flexible framing: choose your own frame style later
Cons of Frameless Kits
- Creases from rolling/folding: may show through in the finished painting
- Unstable painting surface: canvas moves and shifts as you paint
- Extra cost to frame: bars or a frame you have to source yourself add $15-30
- More setup time: need to prepare before you can start
Our Recommendation
Our canvases ship unframed, and the DIY frame kit option adds wooden bars cut to the size of your canvas that you assemble yourself once the paint is dry. Ordering it with the kit costs less than hunting for bars that fit afterwards, and you still decide whether the finished painting gets framed at all.
With our Buy 2 Get 1 Free offer, adding the frame kit costs even less. No experience needed. Backed by our money-back guarantee.
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Free shipping to the US, Canada, the UK, the EU, Australia and New Zealand, with no minimum order. Buy two kits and the third is free, applied automatically at checkout.
