Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
An 11×17 print is an awkward size to frame well — too big for a cheap tabletop frame, too small to skip the mat. The good news is that a matted frame solves it: the wide paper border makes a mid-size poster look like something hanging in a gallery instead of taped to a wall. The catch worth knowing up front is glazing. Real glass looks richest but adds weight and needs careful handling, while plexiglass is lighter and safer to ship but reads a little flatter. Everything below is chosen on that trade-off first, and finish second.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind KitchPrep. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
You’ll see which frames actually fit an 11×17 print without trimming it, and where each one cuts corners. Read on for the honest breakdown of every 11×17 matted frame worth your wall space.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best 11X17 Matted Frame
Almost every frame in this size is described the same way: solid wood, tempered glass, easy to hang. The differences that actually matter show up in three places — what the mat opening measures, what the glazing is made of, and how the back is built. Get those three right and the frame disappears into the artwork, which is the whole point.
Check the mat opening, not the frame size
A frame sold as “13×19 matted to 11×17” is doing two jobs at once. The outer frame holds a 13 x 19 poster, and the included mat narrows the visible area down to an 11 x 17 print. That mat opening is cut slightly smaller than the photo itself — often 10.5 x 16.5 inches — so the print sits against the mat edge instead of falling through. If you plan to swap artwork later, remember you can pull the mat out and use the full outer size.
Decide how much weight you want on the wall
Glass gives you the deepest, clearest view of a print, and it does not flex the way plexiglass can. The trade-off is mass: larger glass frames are noticeably heavier to lift and hang. Plexiglass panels are lighter and far less likely to arrive shattered, but they sit in the “fine, not spectacular” range for clarity. Both are legitimate choices — just match them to where the frame is going.
Look at how the back actually attaches
The back is where budget frames cut corners quietly. Turn buttons and rotating clips let you load a print in seconds with no tools. Sawtooth hangers and multidirectional hooks let you hang the same frame vertically or horizontally without drilling. And the hardware itself matters: a hook that is screwed into the wood frame holds far better than one pushed into a cardboard backing.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Frame Material | Glazing | Set Size | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homeforia 13×19 Mortise&Tenon Oak★ Best Overall | Framing something you plan to keep for years | Oak Wood | Tempered Glass | 1 | Amazon |
| Acovy 13×19 AluminumSlim Modern Pick | Slim modern metal look on a budget | Aluminum | HD Tempered Glass | 1 | Amazon |
| CCDCC 12×18 Wood Set of 2Pair Value | Diamond art and matching pair walls | MDF Wood | Tempered Glass | 2 | Amazon |
| MCS Studio Gallery 14×20 | Big lightweight gallery walls | Engineered Wood | Plexiglass | 1 | Amazon |
| The Display Guys 12×18 | Acid-free mat with real glass | Engineered Wood | 2mm Tempered Glass | 1 | Amazon |
| Golden State Art 13×19 | Solid wood and real glass, gift-ready | Wood | Real Glass | 1 | Amazon |
| Chrspk 13×19 Oak 3 Pack | Three poster frames in one order | Engineered Wood | Protective Front (not glass) | 3 | Amazon |
| VCK 12×18 Black 2 Pack | UV-resistant glass over artwork | FSC-Certified MDF Wood | Tempered Glass | 2 | Amazon |
| Creative Picture Frames 11×17 Diploma | Degrees, certificates, and credentials | Wood | Full Strength Glass | 1 | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Homeforia 13×19 Mortise&Tenon Natural Oak Picture Frame, 11×17 Mat, Glass
Our pick — over 4.5★ from 500+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
Solid oak corners join the old way — and it shows the moment you lift it
If you are framing one thing you intend to keep, this is the one to buy. It is a single 19-inch by 13-inch oak frame with tempered glass (heat-treated glass that resists shattering), and it takes an 11 x 17 print with the included white mat or a full 13 x 19 photo with the mat pulled out. Owners describe the mortise-and-tenon joinery as among the best they’ve seen at this size, and the frame arrives fully assembled with the hanging hardware already in the box.
What wins people over is the build itself — the quality of the oak and the corner joints are the two things buyers bring up again and again, and it reads as a piece of furniture rather than a frame. Shoppers who took it to a custom framing counter for comparison found the same job quoted at a higher price with a four- to six-week wait. There is also a lightness the spec sheet doesn’t capture: the solid oak gives it a warm texture that a painted MDF finish simply cannot fake, and the rounded raised edge is a detail people notice on the wall.
Yes, it is the priciest single frame here, and delivery can be slow if you need it this week. If you want three matching frames for a gallery wall, the Chrspk 13×19 Oak 3 Pack covers more wall, though its front panel is a protective sheet rather than glass. For one standout piece, though, the oak is the reason to pay.
What buyers keep coming back to
- Mortise and tenon joinery — corners that feel engineered, not glued
- Tempered glass stays clear instead of clouding up the way cheap plastic does
- Two display sizes in one frame: 11 x 17 with the mat, 13 x 19 without
- Ships assembled, with the wall mounting kit already included
- Reads as gallery-grade against a wall full of store-bought frames
Where it asks for patience
- The most expensive single frame on this list
- Shipping is slower than the budget options — order ahead of the occasion
- Only one frame in the box, so a gallery wall gets costly fast
Buy it if: you have one keepsake — a wedding print, an original, a family document — that deserves a frame you’ll still be happy with in a decade.
skip it if: you’re filling a wall with several frames at once and the Oak 3 Pack gets you there in one order.
2. Acovy 13×19 Picture Frame, Aluminum Photo Frame Matted to 11×17, 13 x 19 Poster Frame with High Definition Tempered Glass, Metal Frame for Wall, Wall Hook Included
A thin bronze metal edge that makes the artwork do all the talking
A flat aluminum profile in a burnished metallic finish, sized 19 inches by 13 inches, with a removable 11 x 17 mat and a high-definition tempered glass front. The back board is FSC-certified engineered wood, which is the certification that the timber inside it came from responsibly managed forests. A wall hook is included, and because the profile is so flat and thin, it sits almost flush against the wall.
The practical payoff of aluminum shows up at two moments. First at install — the metal is easy to handle and light to hold in place while you mark your holes. Second a year later, when wood frames near a sunny window have absorbed the humidity and this one hasn’t swelled or warped. The back uses easy clips, so you can change the print without tools, and the mounting screws come with it.
Be straight with yourself about the hardware, though. The recurring complaint here is the wall hook: one reviewer noted the wire hanger was pushed into the backing rather than screwed into the frame, and the picture came down. If yours hangs somewhere busy or above anything you care about, replace the hanger with one that goes into the frame itself.
The honest trade-off: the flat aluminum profile and HD tempered glass give it a clean modern look that wood frames can’t match, and the easy-to-open clips make swapping prints a ten-second job.
Before you hang it: budget a few minutes to swap the supplied hanger for one screwed into the frame — it’s the single upgrade that prevents the fall that shows up in longer-term owner feedback.
Reach for this if: your space leans modern and you want a thin bronze line around the art rather than a chunky wood border.
Look elsewhere if: you’d rather not think about hardware — the Golden State Art frame ships with its hangers already solid.
3. 12×18 Picture Frame Set of 2, 12 x 18 Wood Poster Frames with Mat for 11×17, Wooden Photo Frames with Tempered Glass Cover for Wall Display, Rustic Brown
Two frames in one box — and the favorites of the diamond-art crowd
Two rustic-brown MDF wood frames, each 18 inches by 12 inches, each holding an 11 x 17 photo with the mat in place or a 12 x 18 print once you lift the mat out. Tempered glass covers both. The loading system is the friendly part: 360-degree rotating buckles flip open so you drop the art in and swing them shut, no screwdriver involved, and metal hooks on the back panel let either frame hang vertically or horizontally.
Where this pair earns its spot is the hobbyist crowd. Buyers framing diamond art and round puzzles — projects with stiff, uneven edges — report these hold them flat and crisp. The packaging deserves a mention too: both frames ship shrink-wrapped with corner protectors inside a heavy corrugated box, which is why so many arrive without a crack.
Two things to know before you buy. First, the brown finish is a polished wood tone, and the durability of that finish is unproven over several years — treat the frames like furniture rather than mountain gear. Second, the build quality across the two frames is consistent, but a few owners have had a frame arrive loose at the corner, so inspect both on arrival. Neither is a deal-breaker at this price for a pair.
Why two in one box wins: if you’re hanging matching prints side by side, buying a single set beats hunting down a matching second frame — and the diamond-art fit is exactly what this size was made for.
One thing to expect: a polished brown finish that shows a fingerprint or two during assembly; a quick wipe before it goes on the wall sorts that out.
Best for: matching pairs of prints, diamond art pieces, and puzzle projects that need a stiff backing to sit flat.
Not the one for: a single statement piece on a dark wall — the Homeforia oak frame carries more visual weight there.
4. MCS Studio Gallery Poster Frame, 14×20 Matted to 11×17, Black Woodgrain
The one that goes up in two minutes and never strains a nail
A larger outer frame at 20 inches by 14 inches that drops down to 11 x 17 with the included mat. The build is MDF with a black woodgrain finish, and the front is shatter-resistant plexiglass rather than glass — which is exactly why it weighs so little and hangs so easily. Turn buttons open the back, the print slides in, and pre-attached sawtooth hangers let you go vertical or horizontal the moment it’s loaded.
Lightness is the whole pitch. A big glass frame needs a solid anchor and a little nerve; this one goes up on a single nail and stays put. The mat is also cut 0.5 inches tighter than the photo to hold the print steady, so nothing shifts down the wall over time. For dorm rooms, rentals, and anyone who has ever pulled a screw anchor out of a plaster wall, that is a real advantage.
Where it gives ground is the front panel. Plexiglass is safer and lighter, but it never quite matches the optical purity of real glass, and it can pick up fine surface marks where you wipe it. If your print is a prized original, the material here is the compromise — and if you want glass instead, the Display Guys frame gets you there for a similar outlay.
The case for plexiglass: a big frame you can carry with one hand and hang in a rental without a single wall anchor is worth more to a lot of buyers than perfect glass clarity.
The honest limit: if your piece is irreplaceable, the plastic front is a step down from glass — and the mat holds the print snug rather than loose, so measure before you cut anything custom.
Pick this if: you’re hanging a poster in a room you rent, or in any spot where a heavy glass frame would be a hassle.
Look past it when: the print is an original you expect to keep for decades — glass is the better home for it.
5. The Display Guys – Minimalist Wooden Picture Frame w. Tempered Glass – 12×18 matted to 11×17 – Wall Hanging – Black
The only mat here cut from acid-free board, with a 45-degree beveled opening
This 18-inch by 12-inch black MDF frame takes an 11 x 17 print with its mat or a 12 x 18 print without. The detail worth slowing down for is the mat board: it’s 4-ply and acid-free — that means the paper carries no acid that can leach out and yellow a print over the years — and each mat opening is cut at a 45-degree bevel, which is the angled edge that gives a framed piece its shadow line and depth. The glazing is 2mm tempered glass, measured at 2 millimeters thick, chosen for clarity and shatter resistance.
Tempered glass at 2mm thickness sits in the balance for large wall frames: thin enough not to dominate the print visually, but heat-treated so it resists breaking and shattering. The frame ships pre-assembled with sawtooth mounts already on the back for vertical or horizontal hanging.
The recurring nitpick is the single-loop hanging bracket. The mount changed from two eyelets with a wire to a single bendable loop, which makes it harder to line up a row of frames evenly on the wall. If you’re building a strict grid, plan to add your own hardware or accept a little eyeballing — that’s the seam where this frame is the most exposed.
Reasons to pick this over the rest
- 4-ply acid-free mat with a 45-degree bevel — the most proper mat on the list
- 2mm tempered glass, shatter-resistant and distortion-free
- Pre-assembled and pre-mounted with sawtooth hangers
- Mat lifts out cleanly if you want a full 12 x 18 display
- Holds up over repeated print changes, which repeat buyers rely on
The honest complications
- The single-loop hanger is fussier than the wire style it replaced
- Mat opening is the standard 10.5 x 16.5 inches, so oversized prints will need trimming
- Only one frame, so a matched pair means ordering twice
The verdict: the acid-free mat — unique among these picks — is what protects a print over decades, and for anyone hanging an original, that alone justifies the choice.
The caveat that matters: the bendable single-loop mount is genuinely harder to align than a wire, so if you’re hanging a matched set of frames, plan for it.
6. Golden State Art 13×19 Picture Frame – Matted for 11×17 Photo, Black
Real wood and real glass — the pair that gives it a heavy, quality feel
This is a 12.5-inch by 18.5-inch solid wood frame that holds an 11 x 17 photo with the mat or a 13 x 19 poster without. The mat opening is 10.5 x 16.5 inches, sized to hold the print snugly without cropping the visible area. It uses a real glass front rather than acrylic or plexiglass, and the included hardware supports vertical or horizontal wall mounting.
Weight is the giveaway here. A wood frame behind real glass has heft, and owners who have bought cheap MDF-and-acrylic frames before notice the difference the moment they lift it. The black border against the white mat lands as a crisp modern look, which is why it keeps showing up as a gift. Assembly is genuinely quick: the backer sits firm with tool-free glides, and the whole thing goes together in minutes — handy if you’re framing a print the day a gift is due.
Two honest caveats. The mat margins are uneven on some units, so don’t plan a perfectly centered layout without checking them first. And no hanging wire is included — you get the bracket hardware but supply your own wire if that’s your mount. Neither keeps this off the shortlist; both are worth knowing on delivery day.
Why solid wood matters: unlike the engineered-wood frames around it, this one uses real wood and real glass — the combination that makes it feel like a frame that should have cost more.
Before you hang: bring your own wire if you like to hang with wire, and dry-fit the mat first — the cut can run slightly off-center on some pieces.
The pick for: anyone who wants the weight and honesty of real wood and real glass, at a mid-range price with a gift-ready look.
Think twice if: you’re hanging from a single nail in drywall — the weight of wood and glass calls for a proper anchor.
7. 13×19 Poster Frame, Natural Oak Wood Frame with 11×17 Mat, 3 Pack
Three matching frames in one order — the fastest route to a finished wall
Tap the Oak 3 Pack if the goal is a wall, not a wall’s worth of shopping. You get three 13 x 19 engineered-wood frames in a natural oak finish, each with a mat down to 11 x 17, plus a clear protective front panel rather than glass. Built-in multidirectional hooks handle portrait or landscape, and swivel tabs open the back so a poster swap takes seconds.
The coordinated set is the point. Matching three frames one at a time is the chore that keeps a gallery wall on the to-do list for months — this ships as a set, so the spacing is your only real decision. The wood detailing reads warm and natural against the prints, and the paper corner protection plus bubble bag and thickened carton are why they land clean.
Two trade-offs worth naming. The front is a protective panel, not real glass, so the clarity is a step below the tempered-glass picks above. And the mounting hardware has a known weak spot: the triangular hooks sit in the cardboard backing rather than the wood, and they can pull out over time. For anything hung above a shelf or bed, it’s worth swapping in hooks screwed into the wood frame.
Where the set wins
- Three matched frames in one order — no hunting for a second and third
- Natural oak finish reads far richer than the price suggests
- Swivel tabs open fast for swapping art or posters
- Multidirectional hooks hang any frame vertical or horizontal
- Packaged with corner protection and a reinforced carton
Worth knowing upfront
- Front panel is not glass — the clarity won’t match a tempered-glass frame
- The triangular hooks sit in the backing, not the wood, and can pull free over time
- You’ll likely want to add your own hardware for heavy or high-hung pieces
Go with this for: movie posters, game art, and family photos lined up three across — the set makes a finished gallery wall a one-order job.
Don’t choose it for: a single showpiece under bright light, where the non-glass front will show — the tempered-glass picks above are the better fit there.
8. VCK 12×18 Frame 2 Pack, Black Wood, 11×17 Mat, Glass, for Poster Prints
Glass that actually blocks UV — the detail that saves a print from fading
Two black 12 x 18 frames built from FSC-certified MDF, each 19.3 inches by 13.3 inches overall, each holding an 11 x 17 print with the mat or a full 12 x 18 without it. The standout is the glazing: museum-grade tempered glass that reduces glare and blocks UV rays — the invisible light that fades dyes in artwork and photos over time. Both frames include a hanging kit for vertical or horizontal mounting, and the 360-degree metal clips swap a print with no tools.
Pair that glazing with the MDF backing — a rigid panel rather than flimsy cardboard — and this is the setup that gives a print the best chance of looking the same in a decade as it does today. The included mat is acid-free, and it’s a slightly thinner, whiter board than some competitors ship, which reads clean against a colorful print.
The one caution: if you plan to add your own thicker mat, closing those metal slider clips takes extra pressure, and the glass can crack if you push hard on the wrong spot. The workaround owners use is a rounded pen end and gentle pressure. Stick with the provided mat and there’s no issue. It’s the kind of small, manageable trade-off that comes with this level of protection.
The standout spec: museum-grade tempered glass with UV blocking — rare at this price point and worth having over anything with a long display life in mind.
One thing to know: the clips are tuned for the included mat, so if you swap in something thicker, add a pen end and a little patience to close them cleanly.
Reach for this when: the prints deserve real protection — UV-blocking glass and MDF backing are the two upgrades that keep color intact over time.
Less ideal if: you’re framing casual photos on a tight budget — the CCDCC pair offers two frames at a lower entry point.
9. Creative Picture Frames 11×17 Mahogany Gold Rim Diploma Frame with Black Mat Glass and Installed Wall Hangers | Frame Holds 14×18 Media without Mat
A mahogany and gold frame built for one specific piece of paper
This is a diploma frame first and a picture frame second, and it’s the only one on the list with a black mat opening cut to 10.5 x 15.5 inches for an 11 x 17 document — the mat runs slightly smaller than the paper so the diploma mounts clean without cropping text. Without the mat, the 14 x 18 media fits. The build is mahogany with a 1.25-inch-wide gold-inlay border, full strength glass, acid-free white-face black-core mat, white chipboard back, and installed hardware plus a wire kit.
What earns it a place is presentation. The glossy mahogany with gold inlay and the crisp black mat turn a plain diploma into something that looks like it came off the wall of a professional office. Owners compare the mahogany-and-gold finish to doctor’s-office quality. It’s also a common graduation and milestone gift for exactly that reason.
One thing to check before you commit: this is a 14 x 18 frame when the mat is out, and existing 13 x 17 plans won’t fit. If your document or art is 13 x 17, look at a 13 x 18 or a 13 x 19 frame instead. For anything at 11 x 17 or 14 x 18, the fit is exact.
Why the finish is the selling point: a mahogany border with a gold-inlay face and 1.25-inch width reads as a presentation piece rather than a utility frame — that’s what makes it the right call for a diploma.
Size check before you buy: the mat opening is 10.5 x 15.5 inches for an 11 x 17 document, and the frame is 14 x 18 with the mat out — confirm your paper fits before ordering.
Buy for: diplomas, framed certificates, and any 11 x 17 document that deserves a mahogany-and-gold presentation frame.
Pass on this for: framed artwork in 13 x 17 — the 14 x 18 mat-out size is the wrong fit for that paper.
Understanding the Specs
Mat Opening vs Frame Size
A frame sold as “matted to 11×17” means the outer frame is larger than the photo, and the mat narrows the visible area down to 11 x 17. The mat cut opening is normally slightly smaller than the photo — commonly 10.5 x 16.5 inches — so the print rests against the mat edge instead of falling through. That’s why a frame can be described as 13 x 19 while displaying an 11 x 17 print. Read both numbers before ordering; the outer frame dimension is what needs to fit your wall and hanging slots, while the mat opening is what needs to fit your paper.
Glazing: Real Glass vs Plexiglass vs Tempered Glass
Glazing is the clear panel in front of the print, and it comes in a few flavors. Real glass offers the best optical clarity but weighs more and ships at higher risk. Plexiglass — a clear plastic panel — is lighter and safer to ship, though its clarity reads a touch flatter. Tempered glass is heat-treated so it resists breaking and shatters into duller pieces if it does, which is why many large frames use it. Museum-grade tempered glass adds UV blocking that shields a print from fading. Each is a legitimate choice; match the glazing to how much you value the piece inside.
FAQ
Will an 11×17 print fit a frame described as 13×19 matted to 11×17?
Can I remove the mat and display a full 13×19 poster instead?
Is tempered glass really that different from plexiglass in a frame this size?
What does the mat do besides add a border?
Will the mat jiggle or leave a visible gap around my photo?
Does heavier glass mean I need a stronger wall anchor?
Are these frames acid-free, and why should I care?
Can I hang these frames horizontally or only vertically?
Will any of these frames ship cracked?
Do the included mounting hooks actually hold?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most buyers, the 11×17 matted frame winner is the Homeforia 13×19 Mortise&Tenon Oak — solid oak, real tempered glass, and joinery that holds up against custom framing at a fraction of the off-the-shelf cost. Its 4.9-star rating across 500+ reviewers is the highest on this list. If you want real protection for the artwork, reach for the VCK 12×18 2 Pack and its UV-blocking tempered glass. And if you’re framing a diploma or certificate that deserves mahogany and gold, the Creative Picture Frames model is the one built for it.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of September 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
As an Amazon Associate, KitchPrep earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.
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