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.
Finding a frame that actually fits a 13×17 print without sloppy gaps or glass that shatters on first bump can feel like a treasure hunt. This guide sorts through the real-world options, from multi-packs for gallery walls to single handmade pieces, so you can match the right frame to your art—and your walls.
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.
Whether you are framing diamond art, a diploma, or a poster, these are the best 13×17 picture frame options that balance safety, looks, and durability for your space.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best 13×17 Picture Frame
Before you click buy, a few decisions separate a frame you will love from one that becomes a return. The biggest one is the front material—glass versus plastic—because it changes both the look and the safety of the frame.
Match the Front to the Room
Real glass gives a clean, premium reflection that makes art look gallery-ready, but it can break. Tempered glass is tougher than standard glass. Acrylic and plexiglass are lighter and shatter-resistant, so they are the safer pick for kids’ rooms and high-traffic areas.
Mind the Frame Width and Depth
Frames are sold by the photo size, but the actual outer dimensions are larger. The frame opening is commonly 0.5 inches smaller than the photo to hold it in place. The depth matters most for thick items like canvases or needlepoint, which need a deeper rabbet to fit.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Front Material | Frame Material | Pack Size | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JCJMY 13×17 Set of 6★ Best Overall | Diamond art & gallery walls | Plexiglass | Plastic | 6 | Amazon |
| skyDrama Black Wood GrainBest Value | Lightweight, low-cost framing | HD Cover | Solid Wood | 2 | Amazon |
| Americanflat Engineered WoodTop Performer | Posters & art prints | Plexiglass | Engineered Wood | 1 | Amazon |
| ArtToFrames Soft Black | A true glass-front look | Glass | Engineered Wood | 1 | Amazon |
| CustomPictureFrames Mid Century | UV protection for art | Acrylic | Wood | 1 | Amazon |
| Heimlove Aluminum | A sleek metal look | Tempered Glass | Aluminum | 1 | Amazon |
| WallsThatSpeak Rustic Pine | A rustic, wood-tone look | Acrylic | Engineered Wood | 1 | Amazon |
| Craig Frames Aged Gold | Ornate, antique styling | Acrylic | Plastic | 1 | Amazon |
In-Depth Reviews
1. JCJMY 13×17 Black Picture Frame Set of 6
Our pick — over 4.5★ from 850+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The six-pack that turns a whole wall into a coordinated gallery without the gallery price tag.
If you are framing a series of diamond art pieces or building a clean photo wall, this set gives you six 13×17 frames at once — a smart move since a single frame elsewhere can cost nearly as much. The shatter-resistant plexiglass front keeps things safe around kids, and the rotating tabs on the back make swapping in new prints a quick job instead of a battle.
Owners consistently point to the quality as the standout trait — it is the top thing people praise here by a wide margin. Buyers report the frames look more expensive than their price suggests, which is exactly what you want when you are hanging six of them side by side. You get two hooks on the back of each, so you can hang any frame vertically or horizontally to fit your layout.
There is one honest trade-off: the frame material is plastic, so it will not have the heft of real wood. A few owners felt the material was thinner than expected, but for lightweight, kid-safe, budget-friendly display it is hard to argue with the math of six frames for the cost of roughly two elsewhere.
Why Owners Choose This Set
- Six frames in one box — ideal for a full gallery wall
- Plexiglass front means no shattered-glass worry with kids
- Rotating tabs make photo swaps fast and simple
What to Know Before You Buy
- Plastic build, so it lacks the weight of solid wood
- Remember to peel the protective film off the plexiglass first
Reach for it if: you want to fill a wall with matching frames or frame a diamond art collection in one order.
Look elsewhere if: you need the substantial feel of genuine timber on a single hero piece.
2. skyDrama Solid Wood 13×17 Picture Frame, 2 Packs
Two featherweight real-wood frames that hang with double-sided tape, not just nails.
This pair stands out for its sheer lightness — a real advantage when you are hesitant to put more holes in your walls. Owners mention hanging these with double-sided tape on wood paneling and having it hold perfectly. You can also stand them on a table, giving you two display options in one frame.
The wood here is genuine but slim, and you should go in with clear eyes: customers note the profile is thin and the front is a clear plastic cover rather than glass. For a small needlepoint project or a quick gift, that trade-off is acceptable — the frames deliver exactly the light, simple, inexpensive look a lot of crafters want. They even work well for framing embroidery by stretching the piece around the back.
Quality wins people over on the strength of the price, though a frustrated few found the thinness too flimsy for their taste. If you want a substantial, weighty frame, this is not that. If you want two light, functional, wood-front frames that will not wreck your walls, this pair delivers.
The Upside
- True solid wood construction at a very low cost
- Light enough to hang with tape, protecting your walls
- Can be hung or set on a table
The Trade-Off
- Profile is thin and light, not a chunky statement frame
- Front is plastic, not glass
Pick this up if: you need a cheap, light frame for a small craft project or a rental wall you cannot drill into.
Think twice if: a hefty wooden presence is the whole point of your purchase.
3. Americanflat 13×17 Picture Frame – Engineered Wood – Black
The crowd-favorite poster frame with a wide molding that dresses up art prints fast.
This is the frame with serious pedigree — the review count here dwarfs every other pick on this list, and reviewers point out it looks just like glass thanks to the polished plexiglass. The wide molding is crafted from engineered wood (MDF), a dense, smooth board that gives the frame a clean, structured silhouette around oversized prints or posters.
There is no wrestling with fiddly hardware. Owners describe putting the print in as easy and hanging it on the wall as just as simple, with hanging hardware that supports both vertical and horizontal placement. The included mat gives art prints a polished, gallery-style border right from the start.
With this many owners, a few honest gripes surface: some found chips in the corner paint, and durability complaints exist at the edges of the conversation. For the price of a single frame, it is the proven, reliable choice that buyers keep coming back to for uncommon sizes — the thing everyone raves about is how the wide black molding makes standard prints look intentional.
What Wins People Over
- Huge base of happy owners vouching for the quality
- Wide MDF molding gives posters a refined, gallery look
- Easy loading and easy hanging, vertical or horizontal
- Included mat frames art prints beautifully
Watch Out For
- Some units arrive with corner paint chips
- Plexiglass front, not real glass
Best suited to: art prints and posters where a wide, classic black border improve the piece.
skip it if: you need real glass or a frame deep enough for thick canvases.
4. ArtToFrames 13×17 Inch Black Picture Frame with Glass
A made-to-order USA frame with real glass and a soft black finish that looks pricier than it is.
If you want a genuine glass front without stepping up to boutique pricing, this is the pick. It ships with glass, a corrugated backing, and a sawtooth hanger, and it is made to order in the USA. The finished frame measures 15×19 inches around a 13×17 photo, with a 1.25-inch wide molding that frames your art with presence.
Owners describe the quality as sturdy and well-built, with clean mitered corners — the thing that wins people over is how the soft black finish looks far more expensive than the price suggests. It has enough depth to handle dimensional pieces like a textured relief map print without flattening it, which is a rarity at this level.
The recurring gripe is assembly: there are no instructions included, so first-timers may fumble a little putting the back on. A few also note the hanging hardware feels mixed in quality. For a sturdy, true-glass frame that fits perfectly and displays art beautifully, this is the value-for-money champion of the single-frame options.
Why It Stands Out
- Real glass front for a clean, premium reflection
- Deep rabbet fits dimensional art like relief maps
- Sturdy build with clean, mitered corners
Before You Buy
- No instructions included for assembly
- Sawtooth hanger quality gets mixed feedback
Choose this if: real glass and a sturdy made-in-USA frame matter more to you than shatter-proofing.
Pass it by if: you need a child-safe plastic front or an easy screw-free hanging system.
5. Black Real Wood 13×17 Picture Frame – Mid Century Style
A real wood frame with UV-blocking acrylic shields art from sun damage..
This one is for the art you actually care about protecting long-term. It comes complete with a UV-resistant acrylic front that blocks UV rays that fade prints., plus an acid-free foam board backing prevents yellowing and long-term damage.. That combination makes it a smart home for diplomas, certificates, family photos, or a treasured old movie poster.
The real wood frame measures 14.5×18.5 inches overall with a 0.75-inch molding, and it is custom made to order in the USA. Buyers describe it as good quality, well-packaged, and nice-looking, and it comes with hanging hardware so you can display it vertically or horizontally. The odd 13×17 size fits cross-stitch projects well, which crafters appreciate.
The honest caveat here is weight and feel: a few owners found the wood more plywood-like than premium and the backing thin, with metal clips that take some effort to move. If archival protection is your priority and the mid-century style fits your room, the UV acrylic and acid-free backing justify the pick.
The Archival Advantage
- UV-resistant acrylic blocks fading rays to preserve your art’s colors.
- Acid-free backing prevents yellowing and damage over time.
- Real wood with a polished, mid-century finish
Keep In Mind
- Slim foam backing and stiff metal clips get mixed reviews
- Real wood, but some find the build more basic than premium
Worth it for: valuable prints and documents you want to shield from fading and acid damage.
Not for: anyone expecting a heavy, heirloom-grade wooden frame at this weight.
6. Heimlove 13×17 Metal Picture Frame – Black Aluminum
A slim black aluminum frame with real tempered glass that frames a portrait with sharp, modern precision.
For a framer that feels solid in the hand, this aluminum option delivers. It pairs a high-end matte black aluminum body with real tempered glass — the safety upgrade over standard glass that still gives you the crisp, clean reflection of true glass. Buyers describe the construction as solid and well-made, and it made the perfect accent for an old college portrait.
The packaging earns special mention: each frame is shrink-wrapped with corner protectors inside a custom corrugated box, so it arrives spotless. Owners say it is easy to mount on the wall and easy to install the art, with adjustable clips on the back panel that make fitting the print simple.
There is one clear limitation: the frame is not quite deep enough for thick foam-core backing, so pastel artists had to bend the clips with pliers to make it work. If you are framing standard prints and posters, this is a top-grade metal frame at a fair price — the thing everyone raves about is the combination of real glass and solid metal at this price point.
The Metal Advantage
- Real tempered glass — safer than standard, still crisp
- Solid aluminum body with a matte black finish
- Exceptional protective packaging for shipping
The Limit
- Not deep enough for thick foam-core backing without bending clips
- Some note the size runs slightly bigger than stated
Grab this one for: sleek, modern displays of prints, posters, and art where real glass matters.
pass on it if: you plan to frame thick canvases or foam-core-mounted pastels.
7. WallsThatSpeak 13×17 Brown Picture Frame – Rustic Pine
A timeworn rustic pine frame with a dark walnut underlay that makes vintage posters feel right at home.
This frame is built around looks. The wrapped MDF body carries a timeworn rustic pine finish over a dark walnut underlay, giving it the appearance of reclaimed barn wood. Owners mention it looks especially good paired with vintage travel posters, and the eco-friendly composite wood provides that solid-wood aesthetic at a lower cost.
It hangs vertically or horizontally, and the rigid plexiglass front is durable and shatterproof — a practical choice for busy rooms. The description is honest that this is manufactured wood with a wood-tone wrap, not solid timber, which keeps the price reasonable while still delivering on style.
The main gripes: the screws for the included sawtooth hanger are hard to start, and the material feels a bit pricey for what it physically is. If you want an authentic lumber look without the lumber cost, and you are framing puzzles or posters, this delivers the rustic character your wall is after.
The Style Payoff
- Rustic pine over walnut underlay looks like reclaimed wood
- Rigid, shatterproof plexiglass front is kid-safe
- Eco-friendly composite wood at a budget-friendly cost
The Reality Check
- Screws for the hanger are hard to start
- It is wood-tone wrap over MDF, not solid timber
Buy it for: rustic, vintage-style decor where the wood-tone aesthetic is the star.
Pass if: you want genuine solid wood or an easy screw-in hanger.
8. Craig Frames Arqadia Gothic, 13×17 Picture Frame – Aged Gold
An ornate aged-gold Gothic frame with a 3.25-inch molding that makes art look like an antique oil painting.
When your art deserves a grand, old-world frame, this is the statement piece. The Gothic style carries an ornate antique gold and bronze laminate wrap finish over a wide 3.25-inch molding, and owners say the effect is striking — shoppers say it looks like an antique oil painting frame, and it pairs beautifully with needlepoint and oil paintings alike.
It is not as heavy as it looks. The molding is made of polystyrene, a lightweight plastic that keeps the frame manageable on the wall, and it arrives remarkably well-packaged in an oversized box with protective inserts. The viewable area is 12.5×16.5 inches around your 13×17 print, and it is designed for wall hanging only, in portrait or landscape.
The trade-offs are real: the material is plastic with a wood-like finish, not actual timber, and the sawtooth hanger ships uninstalled — some owners found screwing it in more fiddly than expected. If you want maximal ornamental drama at a lighter weight and a friendlier price than a true antique, this delivers the impressive look your piece deserves.
The Grand Effect
- Ornate aged-gold Gothic styling looks like an antique frame
- Wide 3.25-inch molding gives art real presence
- Lightweight plastic build is easy to hang
Know This First
- Plastic base with laminate wrap, not real carved wood
- Sawtooth hanger must be screwed in yourself
Ideal for: oil paintings, needlepoint, or any piece that calls for dramatic, old-world ornament.
Not ideal for: anyone expecting real wood or a ready-to-hang frame straight from the box.
Understanding the Specs
Plexiglass vs. Tempered Glass vs. Acrylic
The front cover is the most important safety and clarity decision. Plexiglass and acrylic are shatter-resistant plastics — lighter and safer around kids, but they can scratch and may look slightly less crisp than glass. Tempered glass is real glass that has been heat-treated to resist breaking, so it shatters into small, less-dangerous pieces instead of sharp shards. Standard glass gives the clearest, most premium reflection but breaks into dangerous shards if dropped.
Why 13×17 Frames Hold 12.5×16.5 Art
A “13×17” frame’s viewable opening is 0.5 inches less per side. — so your photo sits over the lip and stays held in place. That is a design feature, not a defect. The outer dimensions are larger still, so check the frame’s finished size if you are planning a precise wall layout.
Frame Depth for Thick Art
The rabbet depth is the space between the lip and the back of the frame — the maximum thickness of art the frame can hold. Standard paper prints fit any frame, but canvas panels, needlepoint, or foam-core-mounted pieces need a deeper rabbet. If the art is thicker than the frame’s depth, the back will not close properly.
Weight and Wall Impact
Frame material drives both the look and how you hang it. A plastic or aluminum frame can be light enough to hang with double-sided tape, protecting your walls from extra nail holes. A real wood or MDF frame has more presence but needs proper wall anchors. Consider what your wall can take before you commit to a heavy statement frame.
FAQ
Will a 13×17 frame hold my 13×17 print exactly?
Is plexiglass or real glass better for a picture frame?
Can I frame a canvas or needlepoint in a standard 13×17 frame?
Why does my frame arrive with film on the front?
Should I buy a multi-pack of 13×17 frames or singles?
Are lightweight frames strong enough to hold my art?
What is the difference between frame size and photo size?
What does “made to order in the USA” mean for my frame?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
The clear winner for most people is the JCJMY six-pack — it is the crowd favorite by a wide margin, delivering quality and value at a scale that fills an entire wall in one order. If you want a proven single frame from a brand with tens of thousands of happy owners, the Americanflat is the reliable choice for posters and prints. And for a true glass-front statement piece, the ArtToFrames gives you a sturdy, made-in-USA build that looks far more expensive than it is.
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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