How to Use tryframe.art

Step 1 — Upload your artwork

Open tryframe.art and upload a photo or scan of your artwork. On desktop, you can drag and drop a file anywhere onto the upload screen or click to browse. On mobile, tap the screen to open your photo library.

Any common image format works: JPEG, PNG, WebP, HEIC (on supported browsers). Use the highest resolution copy you have — it won't be sent anywhere, everything runs in your browser.

Once uploaded, you'll be taken straight to the crop step.

Step 2 — Crop to what matters

The crop tool lets you trim the image down to just the artwork, removing any background, photo edges, or unwanted border. Drag the handles to adjust the crop rectangle, then click Apply.

You can skip the crop and come back to it later — click Skip and use Change Artwork → Re-crop from the toolbar at any point. Your original image is always kept, so re-cropping is non-destructive.

Step 3 — Choose a frame

The Frames tab on the left (desktop) or bottom panel (mobile) shows the full library of built-in frames. Each frame has a color swatch, a name, and a short description to help you identify the finish and style.

Click or tap any frame to apply it instantly — you'll see the canvas update in real time. Browse through the options to get a feel for how different molding colors and widths affect the overall look.

If none of the built-in frames are quite right, click + Custom to create your own. You can set a primary molding color, an accent highlight, a molding width, and give it a name. Custom frames are saved to your browser so they'll be there next time.

Step 4 — Add mats

Switch to the Mats tab. tryframe.art supports up to three mat layers, stacked from outermost to innermost. Mat 1 is on by default.

• Use the color palette to pick a mat color — options are grouped into Whites, Neutrals, Darks, Blues, Greens, Reds, Earthy, and Metallic.
• Adjust the mat width using the slider or type a value directly. The width is shown in your chosen measurement unit (inches or centimeters).
• Toggle a mat layer on and off with the Add / Remove button.
• For a double or triple mat, switch to Mat 2 or Mat 3 and set each independently.

A narrow accent mat (3–6 mm) on Mat 2 is a classic way to add depth and color without overwhelming the artwork.

Step 5 — Add glass

Switch to the Glass tab to choose the glazing for your frame:

• No Glass — open frame, no glazing.
• Clear Glass — standard glazing with a subtle glare highlight.
• Non-Glare — matte glazing that reduces reflections, ideal for rooms with strong lighting.

The glass sits inside the frame's rabbet (the recessed lip) just as it would in a real framed piece. Tilt the 3D view to see the glass edge and depth clearly.

Step 6 — Explore in 3D

The canvas renders your framing as a fully three-dimensional scene. You can inspect it from any angle:

• Drag anywhere on the canvas to orbit the frame.
• Scroll (or pinch on touch) to zoom in and out.
• Use the Fit / Front / 3/4 / Side buttons at the bottom to snap to preset angles or reset the zoom back to the default framing.
• Click the rotate button (bottom-left) to spin the artwork 90° at a time — useful for portrait/landscape switching.

The view angle is preserved when you change the frame, mat, glass, or any other setting — only use the angle presets when you actively want to reset it.

The artwork dimensions are shown in the bottom-right corner of the canvas at all times.

Step 7 — Adjust the canvas settings

The Canvas tab has three areas worth knowing:

Artwork offset

This slider moves the mat opening relative to the artwork edge. A positive offset lets the mat overlap the artwork slightly (as it would in a real framing), creating a tighter, more finished look. A negative offset adds a gap between the mat and artwork edge — sometimes useful when visualizing a float mount.

Mount color

The color of the backing board behind the artwork. Default is a dark charcoal. Try a light grey or warm white to simulate how the framing will look on a pale wall.

Artwork dimensions and size presets

Size presets let you instantly set the artwork to a standard print size — 4×6, 5×7, 8×10, A4, and more. The width is set and the height adjusts automatically to preserve your artwork's aspect ratio.

You can also type exact width and height values directly. Switch between inches and centimeters using the Measurements dropdown — all values convert automatically.

Step 8 — Save your preview

When you're happy with the composition, click the Save button (or press S on a keyboard). The scene is rendered from a straight front-on view and exported as a PNG — ready to share with a framer, post online, or drop into a mood board.

Keyboard & mouse shortcuts

On desktop, a few shortcuts speed things up:

Your work is saved automatically

tryframe.art saves your composition as you go — selected frame, mat colors and widths, mount color, and all other settings are restored automatically the next time you open the tool. Your image is also stored locally in the browser, so you don't need to re-upload after a refresh.

Nothing is sent to a server. Everything stays on your device.

Changing or replacing the artwork

Click the Change Artwork button in the toolbar to open a menu with three options:

• Replace image — upload a new photo. The current frame and mat settings are kept.
• Re-crop — go back to the crop tool to re-trim the same original image.
• Resize — jump straight to the Artwork Dimensions controls in the Canvas tab.
• Start fresh — clear everything and start over.