Framing Guidelines

We have updated framing requirements starting with the 2026-2027 season.

General Requirements

If you have questions about framing requirements or unusual presentation methods, please ask before producing your artwork. For hanging questions or for presentation methods not covered in this document, contact the exhibit team. Approval of alternative methods is not guaranteed, but we're happy to discuss different options.

Important: Artwork that does not meet these requirements, or show-specific requirements, cannot be hung and will not be exhibited. Exhibit-specific requirements take precedence over this document.

Specific Rules Vary Per Show

For each show, the Exhibit Chairs and Hanging Coordinator will define and publish:

• Maximum sizes

• Number of photos to be hung

• Any other standards which need to be met (e.g., family friendliness; themes; etc.)

  
  

Framing Specifics

Hangability and Security

• We strongly recommend metal or stable wooden frames. Plastic or novelty style frames are not permitted.

• Secure wire hanging is mandatory. Sawtooth, pinch-clip, document-style, and "sandwich" frames are explicitly banned.

• For frames larger than 24” (where permitted), use plexiglass/acrylic instead of glass to control weight.

• Weight of the artwork should not exceed 20lbs

Color

Frames can be any color, although black, white, or silver are preferable

Frame Size

• Small frames are discouraged. Frames must be at least 120 square inches to ensure visibility on a wall. Multiply frame width by frame height to calculate square inches.

• Maximum and minimum frame sizes will change per exhibit.

• Maximum size limits are based on the outer edge of the frame, not on the artwork or mat size. E.g., often a 16x20 frame may be 21” or even 22” when measured edge to edge.

Print

Mat not required; print may fill the frame.

Glazing

Glass is recommended to protect and display your print. Some printing methods are best displayed without glass. However, there is additional risk of damage to a print when it can be directly touched.

Requirements for Framed Prints

• Mats are not required. Your print may fill the entire frame.

• Additional mat colors are permitted

• Mats should set off artwork, not draw attention to themselves, so it may be best to avoid day-glo or very strong colors. Professional gallery matting still tends to be subtle.

• Reveals (double and triple matting) are permitted.

Requirements for Alternate Printing Forms

• Canvas Gallery Wraps are acceptable as long as they are at least 1” deep and must meet the hangability and sizing requirements outlined above.

• Prints on Metal are acceptable as long as they meet the hangability and size requirements outlined above.

• Other alternate printing forms such as Acrylic Prints, Prints on Wood, and other printing mediums are acceptable as long as they meet the hangability and size requirements outlined above.

• If you plan to present your photo in a way not defined here, contact the Exhibit team.

Liability

Our hanging group is careful with prints, and fortunately damage and theft have been rare. Nonetheless, NCC is not liable for damage or loss while handling prints or during exhibits.

If you choose a framing style that exposes the print (e.g., canvas/museum wrap, metal prints), understand that we cannot guarantee people will not touch or damage the prints.

Background/Rationale

Our goals for our updated framing guidelines are to ensure clarity about requirements for safety, security, and ease of hanging, maintain fairness in presentation, and recognize trends in photographic presentation and enable photographer creativity

Over time, photographic presentation has changed. For one discussion of trends in framing, see this Framing Trends article from Tribeca Printworks.

With access to new materials and with changes in aesthetics, we believe it is time to enable photographers to express their creativity while setting reasonable limits as required to manage print shows. As a practical matter, this means that we have loosened some requirements around colors, matting, and glazing while clarifying requirements for security and safety of hanging.

Thanks to other arts organizations, this document is informed by several sources, including the Newton Art Association, the Griffin Museum, the Cape Cod Art Center, the Boston Camera Club, the Maryland Federation of Art, Tribeca Printworks, and others.