The Complete Guide to Choosing a Floater Frame

Three colorful canvas paintings displayed in natural wood floater frames with visible reveals

Prepared and reviewed by WebPictureFrames.com framing specialists. Family owned with more than 40 years of custom framing experience. Updated July 20, 2026.

How to choose a floater frame in four steps

Measure the artwork: Record its exact outside width, height, and deepest point.
Choose a compatible profile: Confirm that the frame supports the artwork depth and a safe mounting method.
Select the Floater Reveal: Choose the visible gap you want on each side of the artwork.
Choose the finish: Compare face width, color, wood tone, texture, and visual weight.

Enter the exact artwork size. Do not add the reveal or any other allowance to the width and height. Select the Floater Reveal separately during the design process; the designer calculates the opening for you.

What is a floater picture frame?

A floater frame holds artwork inside the frame without covering its front edges. The visible gap between the art and the inside wall of the frame is called the floater reveal or shadow gap. Because the frame does not overlap the face of the artwork, the entire image remains visible and appears to float inside the moulding.

Key floater frame terms

Floater reveal: the visible gap on each side between the artwork and frame
Supported artwork depth: the maximum artwork thickness a profile is designed to hold
Face width: the visible front width of the frame moulding
Mounting ledge, foot, or base: the frame surface to which the artwork is secured

Are canvas and panel floater frames different?

The names describe common applications, but they do not always identify mutually exclusive frame types. Most canvas floater profiles can hold compatible rigid panels, and panel floater profiles can also hold compatible canvases. Product overlap between the collections is intentional.

Compatibility depends on the artwork's exact width, height, depth, desired position, and mounting method. A stretched canvas normally provides wooden stretcher bars that can accept properly sized screws. A thin panel may fit the same profile but require mounting tape because a screw could pass through the artwork.

Use construction and depth, not the product label alone. A frame called a canvas floater may work for a panel, while a panel floater may work for a compatible canvas.

Measure the artwork's width, height, and depth

Measure the exact outside width from left to right in more than one place.
Measure the exact outside height from top to bottom in more than one place.
Measure the complete depth at the deepest point, including stretcher bars, canvas folds, corner keys, cradle construction, raised staples, or other projections.
Check whether the artwork is square. Handmade panels and stretched canvases can vary slightly from one side to another.

Record the dimensions as width x height x depth, such as 24 x 30 x 1 1/2 inches. Use the largest accurate width and height measurements when minor variation exists. Contact a framing specialist before ordering if the artwork is substantially out of square.

Order with the artwork dimensions only. Do not add the reveal to the width or height.

Choose the floater reveal

The Floater Reveal is selected independently during the design process. The selected measurement is the visible gap on each side of the artwork. For example, a 1/4 inch reveal creates a 1/4 inch gap at the left, right, top, and bottom.

A narrower reveal creates a tight, understated separation. A wider reveal makes the floating effect more pronounced and gives irregular artwork edges more visual breathing room.

Narrow reveal

Creates a subtle shadow line and a compact presentation. Best when the artwork is square and its edges are clean.

Balanced reveal

Provides clear separation without allowing the gap to dominate. This is a versatile choice for many canvases and panels.

Wide reveal

Emphasizes the floating effect and can complement large artwork, expressive gallery-wrapped edges, or a substantial frame profile.

Consider the artwork size, edge treatment, squareness, frame face width, and desired visual weight. The online designer shows the selected reveal as part of the framing design.

Do not add the reveal to your measurements. Enter the exact artwork width and height, then choose the Floater Reveal separately. The designer automatically adds the selected gap around the artwork.

Choose a frame that supports the artwork depth

Each product identifies the maximum artwork depth it supports. Compare that specification with the artwork's deepest measured point. The artwork may be shallower than the frame's maximum supported depth, but it must not exceed it.

Artwork construction	Measure	Check before ordering
Stretched canvas	Deepest point of the stretcher bars and folded canvas corners	Safe wood depth for the supplied mounting screws
Thin rigid panel	Complete panel thickness	A non-penetrating mounting method suitable for the panel
Cradled panel	Panel and full cradle depth	Safe attachment into the wooden cradle
Canvas board	Complete board thickness	Panel-style mounting rather than screws through the board

If the artwork is close to the listed maximum or has irregular projections, choose a profile with additional supported depth or ask WebPictureFrames to review the measurements. A deeper profile can often hold shallower art, although the art may sit farther back unless the mounting is adjusted.

Match the frame to a safe mounting method

The artwork construction determines how it should be attached. Check mounting compatibility while choosing the frame, not after it arrives.

Artwork type	Typical method	Main precaution
Stretched canvas	Supplied screws through the frame's countersunk mounting holes into wooden stretcher bars	Verify that the screws remain safely inside the wood and cannot reach the canvas face
Thin rigid panel or canvas board	Suitable double-sided mounting tape on the frame ledge	Do not use screws that could penetrate the artwork
Cradled panel	Screws when the wooden cradle provides safe attachment depth	Confirm screw length and cradle construction before drilling
Valuable or conservation-sensitive art	A method approved for the artwork and future removal needs	Consult a qualified conservator or framing professional before using adhesive

Always test-fit the art and reproduce the selected reveal evenly before fastening it. Start all canvas screws before tightening them gradually; do not fully tighten one screw first.

Watch and follow the complete installation guide for stretched canvas and art panels.

Choose the profile width, color, and finish

Once size, reveal, depth, and mounting compatibility are established, choose the frame's visual character.

Black: creates strong definition and a clean gallery presentation.
White: keeps the frame visually light and works well in minimal interiors.
Natural wood and wood tones: add warmth and can coordinate with furniture, flooring, or colors in the artwork.
Gold, silver, and other metallic finishes: add a polished accent without covering the artwork.
Narrow face width: creates a restrained outline around the artwork.
Wide face width: gives the frame more visual weight, especially around larger artwork.

Consider the artwork and the room together. A sample can help you evaluate color, sheen, texture, and scale under the lighting where the finished piece will hang.

Shop canvas floater frames

Common floater frame ordering mistakes

Adding the reveal to the artwork size: enter exact artwork dimensions and select the reveal separately.
Measuring only once: stretched canvas and handmade panels may not be perfectly square.
Ignoring depth at the corners: folded canvas and raised hardware can make the corners the deepest points.
Choosing by the canvas or panel label alone: confirm supported depth and mounting compatibility.
Using screws in a thin panel: a screw may pass through and damage the artwork.
Choosing an extremely narrow reveal for irregular art: small variations become more noticeable when the gap is tight.
Skipping a frame sample: screen colors cannot reproduce every wood tone, texture, or sheen exactly.

Before you order: floater frame checklist

I measured the exact artwork width in more than one place.
I measured the exact artwork height in more than one place.
I measured the deepest point of the artwork.
I did not add the Floater Reveal to the artwork dimensions.
I selected the desired per-side Floater Reveal in the designer.
I confirmed that the frame supports the artwork depth.
I confirmed a safe mounting method for the artwork construction.
I reviewed the profile width, finish, and sample options.

Unusual artwork? Contact WebPictureFrames before ordering if the art is substantially out of square, unusually heavy, close to the maximum supported depth, or conservation-sensitive.

Frequently asked questions about choosing a floater frame

What size floater frame should I order?

Enter the exact outside width and height of the artwork. Do not add the reveal or another allowance. Select the desired Floater Reveal separately in the designer, and the design system calculates the frame opening.

What does a 1/4 inch floater reveal mean?

A 1/4 inch floater reveal means a 1/4 inch visible gap between the artwork and frame on each of the four sides. The designer adds that selected reveal around the exact artwork dimensions.

Can a canvas floater frame hold an art panel?

Many canvas floater frames can hold compatible rigid panels. Compatibility depends on the artwork dimensions, depth, desired position, and a mounting method that is safe for the panel.

Can a panel floater frame hold stretched canvas?

Panel floater profiles can also hold compatible canvases when the canvas depth and mounting method fit the frame. The canvas and panel labels describe common uses rather than absolute restrictions.

How do I choose the correct floater frame depth?

Measure the artwork at its deepest point and compare that measurement with the product's supported artwork depth. Include canvas folds, corner keys, cradle construction, and any raised hardware.

Do floater frames normally use glass or acrylic?

Floater frames are normally used without glazing because stretched canvas and finished panels are generally displayed uncovered. Artwork that requires glass or acrylic may need a traditional or shadow-box framing design.

Choose your next step

Shop canvas floater framesCompare custom profiles for stretched canvas and compatible panel artwork. Shop art panel floater framesExplore profiles for thin panels, canvas boards, and other rigid artwork. Install artwork in a floater frameFollow video-driven steps for mounting stretched canvas or a thin panel. Compare all floating-frame optionsVisit the main floater frame hub for canvas and panel applications.

Shop floater frames Ask a framing specialist

The Complete Guide To Choosing A Floater Frame