You just downloaded a printable. It’s sitting in your downloads folder — or maybe you’ve already printed it — and now you’re wondering what to do next. How do you turn a PDF into something that actually looks good on your wall? The good news: it’s easier than you think, it costs less than you’d expect, and the results are genuinely beautiful. Here’s exactly how to frame and display printable wall art the farmhouse way.
Step 1: Choose the Right Print Size
Most printables — including everything at Primitive Printables — are designed for standard frame sizes like 8×10 or 5×7. That’s intentional. Standard sizes mean you can walk into any Target, IKEA, or thrift store and find a frame that fits without any trimming or custom cutting.
Your home printer handles up to 8.5×11, so an 8×10 print fits perfectly with a small white border. Going bigger? A 16×20 or 11×14 print can be done affordably at Staples or Office Depot — just upload the file and pick up same-day. Stick to standard sizes whenever possible; custom framing can run $50–$150+, while a standard frame is $10–$25.
Step 2: Pick Your Paper
Paper makes a bigger difference than most people expect. Regular copy paper (20 lb) will work in a pinch, but it looks thin and a little flat once it’s framed. For a polished result, print on matte cardstock — 65 to 80 lb weight. It has just enough body to hold color well and lay flat inside the frame without curling.
Skip glossy paper for farmhouse style. Glossy reads as “office” or “photo print,” not warm and handmade. Matte is the right call every time — it gives that soft, slightly vintage quality that fits primitive americana decor perfectly. If you’re printing at a shop, ask for matte cardstock or matte photo paper. Both Staples and Office Depot can handle it for a few dollars a page.
Step 3: Choose the Right Frame
This is where farmhouse style really comes together. The frame you choose sets the whole tone, so it’s worth being intentional. Here’s a quick style guide for primitive and farmhouse decor:
- Distressed wood — Warm, rustic, and a little imperfect. Perfect for americana prints, seasonal art, and anything with a vintage feel.
- Whitewashed wood — Lighter and airier. Works beautifully in cottage-style spaces or rooms with white shiplap.
- Black metal — Don’t overlook this one. A simple black frame looks clean, gallery-quality, and surprisingly farmhouse when paired with the right print. It doesn’t read as “cheap” — it reads as intentional.
Where to find affordable options: thrift stores (check weekly — frames turn over fast), IKEA’s RIBBA line, Target’s Threshold frames, and Amazon. You can often find a great distressed wood frame for under $15. Buy a few in the same finish for a cohesive gallery wall, or mix deliberately for that collected-over-time look.
Step 4: Mat or No Mat?
A white mat elevates almost any print. It adds visual breathing room, makes the art look more “gallery” than “DIY,” and — practically speaking — it gives you wiggle room on sizing. If your print is 8×10 and your frame is technically 8×10 but a little off, a mat hides the gap cleanly.
That said, you don’t always need one. For bold, graphic prints that are meant to fill the frame edge-to-edge, skip the mat. For detailed or text-heavy art — think vintage seed packets, americana signs, or botanical illustrations — a white mat almost always makes it look better. When in doubt, add the mat.
Step 5: Hang It or Prop It?
Both are completely valid farmhouse looks — don’t feel like everything has to go on the wall.
Wall-mounting works great for gallery arrangements and statement pieces. Command strips (the velcro kind) are a game-changer for lightweight frames — no tools, no holes, and they hold surprisingly well. For heavier frames, a standard picture hook takes two minutes.
Propping on a shelf, mantle, or plate ledge is one of those effortlessly farmhouse moves. Stack a few frames at different heights, lean them slightly, and mix in a small plant or candle. It looks intentionally relaxed, and it’s easy to swap out seasonally without repainting walls.
Gallery Wall Tips
A farmhouse gallery wall looks collected, not coordinated — and that’s easier to pull off than you might think.
- Mix sizes — combine 8×10s, 5×7s, and maybe a 4×6. Variety keeps it from looking too stiff.
- Use odd numbers — 3, 5, or 7 frames almost always looks better than 2 or 4.
- Lay it out on the floor first — arrange your frames on the ground before committing a single nail. Move things around until it feels right.
- Let it be imperfect — rows that are slightly off-center, gaps that aren’t perfectly even — that’s the look. Farmhouse gallery walls are supposed to feel like they evolved naturally over time, not like they were installed by a hotel chain.