Dubai’s guide to framing & fine art printing
Frame it once. Frame it properly.
— notes from the framers’ benchIndependent-minded answers on picture framing, giclée and art printing in Dubai — which glass, which paper, what it costs, and who does it best.
Walnut moulding · 60mm acid-free mount · museum glass
Quick answers
The four questions every framer hears first.
How much does picture framing cost in Dubai?
It depends on size, moulding, mount and glazing. The biggest price jumps come from glass choice (museum glass costs several times standard glass) and from oversized pieces that need acrylic or extra-deep mouldings. Send a photo and size to a studio for a same-day estimate.
What is fine art (giclée) printing?
Giclée is high-resolution inkjet printing with archival pigment inks on acid-free cotton or alpha-cellulose paper such as Hahnemühle Photo Rag. Made and displayed properly, it’s rated to last many decades without visible fading.
Which glass should I choose?
For originals and anything valuable: UV-filtering glazing, ideally anti-reflective museum glass. For large pieces, kids’ rooms or shipping: anti-reflective acrylic. Standard glass is fine for low-value posters away from sunlight.
How do I protect framed art in Dubai’s climate?
Keep it out of direct sun and away from AC vents, choose UV glazing, use acid-free mounts and spacers so the art never touches the glass, and seal the back against dust and humidity.
Anatomy of a frame
Five layers decide whether art survives Dubai.
- MouldingWood, aluminium or gold leaf. Depth matters: box mouldings hold spacers, canvas and objects.
- GlazingStandard glass, conservation (99% UV), museum (anti-reflective + UV) or acrylic for large pieces.
- MountAcid-free, lignin-free board keeps the art off the glass and stops the “burn line” cheap board leaves.
- ArtworkHinged with reversible Japanese tissue — never glued, never taped with office tape.
- Backing & sealArchival backing plus a taped dust seal: the humidity barrier most frames skip.
2026 rankings
Best picture framing in Dubai.
Scored on six published criteria: materials, range, access, heritage, specialism and trade terms.
Full list of 9 studios →Published by Al Warda Gallery, Lumber Frames & Rafi Frames · How we score
- 01
Al Warda Gallery
Best overall — three branches, framing and fine art printing since 1997Jumeirah Centre (Jumeirah Beach Road) · Safestway (Sheikh Zayed Road) · Karama Shopping Complex
9.6/10 - 02
Lumber Frames
Best for collectors & artists — museum framing with archival print studioShop 25, 1st Floor, Jumeirah Centre, Jumeirah Beach Road
9.4/10 - 03
Rafi Frames (Dubai Frames)
Best for fast, walk-in framing — open 7 days until 10pmKarama Shopping Complex, 33 B St, Karama (opposite Al Ansari Exchange)
9.1/10
See the difference
Clear glass versus museum glass.
Drag across the frame. Standard glass bounces the room back at you; anti-reflective museum glass reflects under 1% of light, so the art reads as if nothing is in front of it.
Guides
Everything we know, written down.
Picture framing, explained
Frame types, glazing, mounts, conservation standards and Dubai-specific care.
Fine art & giclée printing
Papers, inks, file preparation, colour management, editions and certificates.
Canvas, metal, acrylic & UV printing
Which print process suits which room, budget and image.
Frame visualiser
Try mouldings, mounts, glass and wall colours before you visit a studio.
Journal
Fresh from the bench.
Framing · 26 Sep 2026
How to frame a football jersey in Dubai (without ruining it)
Shadow box depth, stitching vs pins, UV glass and humidity — how framers mount signed shirts and kits so they last.
Framing · 26 Sep 2026
Museum glass vs conservation glass vs acrylic — which is worth it?
A plain-English comparison of picture framing glazing: UV protection, reflection, weight, safety and when each makes sense in a Dubai home.
Printing · 26 Sep 2026
Giclée, canvas or metal? Choosing a print for a Dubai home
How the main print processes compare on detail, colour, durability and price — and which suits each room in a UAE villa or apartment.
Printing · 26 Sep 2026
How to prepare a file for fine art printing — a checklist
Resolution, colour space, file format, borders and proofing — everything to check before sending an image to a giclée printer.
FAQ
Common questions
Where can I get a picture framed in Dubai the same week?
Most custom framing in Dubai takes 2–7 working days. Al Warda Gallery quotes 2–5 working days for most orders; Rafi Frames in Karama is open 7 days a week, 9:30am–10pm, for walk-in drop-off. Rush jobs depend on moulding stock.
Can a framer print my photo or artwork too?
Yes — studios such as Lumber Frames and Al Warda Gallery print giclée on archival papers and frame it in the same order, which avoids colour and sizing mistakes between two vendors.
Do Dubai framers collect and install?
Many do. Al Warda, Lumber Frames and Rafi Frames offer pick-up/drop-off or on-site installation for homes, offices and hotels across the UAE.
How do I frame a football jersey?
Use a shadow box deep enough to keep the fabric off the glass, mount the shirt on acid-free board with stitching (never glue), and choose UV glazing so colours don’t fade. See our jersey framing guide.
What paper is best for fine art prints?
Matte 100% cotton rag (e.g. Hahnemühle Photo Rag 308) for paintings and illustration; baryta or semi-gloss fibre (e.g. Canson Platine Fibre Rag) for photography that needs deep blacks. See the fine art printing guide.
Ready to frame something that matters?
— talk to a framerSend a photo of the piece and rough size on WhatsApp. You’ll get options, not a sales pitch.