Christmas 2026 planning: if this decision is for a gift, compare the finish options in our Christmas paint by numbers collection. For standard kits, use December 3 as a planning recommendation, not a guaranteed delivery date. See the Christmas gift guide and check the current shipping policy before ordering for an occasion.
The artwork can be the same in both formats. The practical difference is how the numbered canvas arrives, how much setup you want before painting, and how you plan to display the finished piece. If you want the shortest answer, choose Ready-to-Hang for a firm surface from the start; choose No Frame for compact storage and more control over the final display. You can also jump to the comparison table.
In our product options, “Framed” or “Ready-to-Hang” refers to a canvas already stretched over wooden bars. It does not mean that a decorative outer picture frame is included. “No Frame” means the numbered canvas arrives rolled, without those stretcher bars.
No Frame vs Framed / Ready-to-Hang: quick comparison
| What to compare | No Frame | Framed / Ready-to-Hang |
|---|---|---|
| How it arrives | Rolled numbered canvas without wooden stretcher bars. | Numbered canvas already stretched over wooden bars. |
| Setup before painting | Secure the canvas to a clean, flat surface so it stays in place. | Open the kit and paint on the firm, pre-stretched surface. |
| Extra display materials | Choose your own stretcher bars, display frame, mounting board, or another suitable method later. | No stretcher-bar assembly is needed. A decorative outer frame remains optional and is not included. |
| Wall display | Display it after mounting, stretching, or placing it in a frame suited to the finished canvas. | Hang the stretched canvas after the paint is fully dry. |
| Works well when | Useful when compact storage, lower initial cost, or a custom display plan matters most. | Useful when you want the quickest setup and a stable painting surface. |
| Custom-kit sizes | 40 × 50 cm / 16 × 20 in, 50 × 60 cm / 20 × 24 in, or 60 × 80 cm / 24 × 32 in. | |
No Frame
The numbered canvas is supplied rolled without wooden stretcher bars. That makes it lighter to store and leaves the final presentation open. You might stretch it later, place it in a display frame, or choose another mounting method that suits the room. Before you paint, place the canvas on a clean, flat work surface and secure the edges so it cannot shift under the brush.
No Frame is the more flexible choice if you already know how you want to present the artwork. It also works well when you need to store the project between sessions. The trade-off is that you are responsible for creating a stable surface before painting and for choosing the display method after completion.
Framed
The canvas is already stretched over wooden bars, creating a firm painting surface with no stretcher assembly required. It can be hung after the work is complete and fully dry. In the store, this finish may be labeled Ready-to-Hang. The word “Framed” describes the supporting stretcher structure behind the canvas; it does not promise a decorative border around the artwork.
This format removes one preparation decision. You do not need to flatten and secure a loose canvas before every session, and the edges remain held in the same position while you work. That makes Ready-to-Hang convenient for a first project, a shared table, or a gift where the recipient may not want to source stretcher bars separately.
What the kit contains
The current custom photo kit lists the following materials. Its palette choices apply to Custom; ordinary catalog kits have their own listed contents and finish selectors:
- one pre-numbered linen canvas based on your uploaded photo;
- pre-mixed acrylic paints in the selected 24-, 36-, or 48-color option;
- three paintbrushes for different areas of the canvas; and
- a reference image to help you follow the design.
If you choose Ready-to-Hang, the canvas arrives pre-stretched. A decorative outer picture frame is not part of either finish. Keep the reference image nearby, organize the paint pots in number order, and protect the work surface before opening the first color.
Sizes at a glance
The custom kit currently offers three size options. The diagram uses one consistent orientation to compare their relative area; it is a visual guide, not a room-scale measurement or a promise about how an uploaded photo will be oriented.
Choose 40 × 50 cm when you want the most compact of the available custom formats. Choose 50 × 60 cm for a middle option. Choose 60 × 80 cm when you have more wall and work-surface space. Before ordering, check the available area with the listed width and height rather than judging from a product photo alone.
Which is easier for a first project?
Ready-to-Hang is the simpler starting format because the canvas already has a stable support. You can concentrate on matching the paint numbers without first deciding how to hold the canvas flat. No Frame is still beginner-friendly when you have a suitable flat surface and are comfortable securing the canvas before each session.
The more important choice is the setup you will actually use. If assembling or sourcing a display solution would delay the project, select Ready-to-Hang. If storage space is limited or you already have a specific frame or mounting plan, select No Frame. The numbered artwork and painting sequence do not become more advanced simply because the canvas is rolled.
FAQ
Is a decorative frame included in the kit?
No. No Frame is a rolled canvas without stretcher bars. Ready-to-Hang is pre-stretched over wooden bars, but a decorative outer picture frame is not included.
How can I hang a No Frame canvas?
Finish the painting on a secure flat surface, let it dry, and then choose a mounting or framing method suitable for canvas. The required materials depend on the display method you select.
Which size should I choose?
Start with the wall and work-surface space you can actually use. The current custom options are 40 × 50 cm, 50 × 60 cm, and 60 × 80 cm. Measure that area before ordering.
Can I begin with No Frame and stretch or frame it later?
Yes. No Frame keeps the display decision open. Protect the canvas from folds while painting and confirm its finished dimensions before buying stretcher bars or a display frame.
Does the custom-photo kit have a frame option?
Yes. The custom kit currently offers No Frame and Ready-to-Hang finishes, along with three sizes and 24-, 36-, or 48-color options.
How do I frame a finished canvas without wrinkles?
Let the paint dry before measuring or mounting the canvas. Measure the actual painted area and the spare canvas around it. A 40 × 50 cm format is about 15.7 × 19.7 inches; a selector may round that to 16 × 20 inches. That rounded label does not guarantee that a particular store-bought frame or stretcher set will fit.
For No Frame, ask a framer to assess whether stretching or mounting is suitable and whether enough edge fabric remains. Do not pull hard at one corner or fold the painted surface to force it into a frame. For an already stretched canvas, choose an outer frame with the right opening and depth; decorative framing remains optional. If you use glazing, keep it away from the paint surface, as advised in the Canadian Conservation Institute's painting-care guidance.
Store and display the finished work
Keep a loose painted canvas flat and protected from contact with other objects. Do not tightly roll or fold a painted project for everyday storage. Handle a stretched canvas by its support, and choose hanging fixings suitable for its weight and your wall. There is no verified fixed lifetime for these kits; light, moisture, handling and storage conditions affect the finished work.
For room placement, use our home decor theme guide. For a present, the gift guide helps match the recipient's interest and preferred setup.
Review the finish options on the custom paint-by-numbers kit, browse all paint-by-numbers designs, or read the photo guidance on the custom paint-by-numbers page.