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 for a 20×22 print can feel like a scavenger hunt, because big-box stores almost always stop at 18×24. That odd in-between size is exactly why this guide exists — it sorts through the frames that actually make that dimension, focusing on which ones hold your art securely and look good doing it. A quick note before the picks: because this size is niche, the options here are matched by the nearest same-type size, so always double-check the finished dimensions before you click.
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 want a 20 x 22 poster frame that looks great on your wall without overpaying. The key choices are frame depth, material, and hanging hardware, and the picks below cover the best 20×22 poster frame options for different budgets and art styles.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best 20 X 22 Poster Frame
When you are shopping for an unusual size like 20×22, the frame’s width and depth matter more than the color. You need to know how much of your poster the lip covers, and how much room sits behind it for your artwork.
Match the finished size, not just the photo size
A frame that fits a 20×22 photo can measure 22×24 inches on the outside. That extra footprint is the frame moulding itself (the border of wood around your image). Measure your wall space before ordering, and always look for the “actual frame size” in the listing, not just the photo size.
Check the rabbet for thick art
The rabbet is the channel inside the frame that holds your art in place. If you are framing a canvas, a textured print, or a poster with a mat, you need a deeper rabbet so the art sits flush without bowing the front. A shallow frame will flatten or damage dimensional pieces.
Weigh acrylic against glass
Large frames are heavy, and glass makes them heavier. Acrylic fronts (a clear plastic sheet, also called plexiglass) are lighter and shatterproof, which matters for big wall pieces and homes with kids. The trade-off is that acrylic can scratch more easily than glass.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Frame Width | Item Weight | Finished Size | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ArtToFrames 1.25″ Antique Black★ Best Overall | Premium feel and sturdy build | 1.2500 inches | 3.4 pounds | 22″L x 24″W | Amazon |
| ArtToFrames 1.25″ Soft BlackBest Value | Reliable value with deep rabbet | 1.2500 inches | 3.8 pounds | 22″L x 24″W | Amazon |
| WallsThatSpeak 20×22 Black | Eco-friendly composite, budget pick | 1.25 inches | — | — | Amazon |
| CustomPictureFrames.com Noir | Handcrafted pieces with UV acrylic | 0.75 inches | — | 21.5″L x 23.5″W | Amazon |
In-Depth Reviews
1. ArtToFrames 1.25″ Antique Black
Our pick — over 4.5★ from 350+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The antique black frame that feels like real furniture, not a poster afterthought.
Choose this frame when you want your 20×22 print to look professionally framed. The solid wood build feels heavy and sturdy — buyers report “It’s not plasticy feeling or light” — and the antique black finish adds vintage character that made one print “the focal point of the room.” The border measures 1.2500 inches wide, giving it enough visual weight to anchor a large poster without overwhelming it.
Under the hood, the 0.5000 inch rabbet is the deepest of the ArtToFrames options here, which means it can hold thicker art like a canvas or a matted print without pressure. The finished size is 22″L x 24″W, and it ships with acrylic, corrugated backing, and the wire, nails, and hooks for wall mounting. The one honest trade-off: the included hanging hardware is the weak link for a frame this size, so plan to use your own heavier wire and nail.
Quality is the thing owners praise most — over a hundred call it out — and appearance runs a close second. A few note that the build quality can vary, and the hanging kit is the most common complaint, but the consensus is that this frame looks and feels far more expensive than its mid-range price suggests.
What Owners Love
- Sturdy real wood with a vintage antique finish
- Deep 0.5000 inch rabbet fits thicker art
- Fits 20×22 photos with a 22″L x 24″W finished size
Consider This
- Included wire is too short to tie securely
- Nail feels too small for the frame’s weight
Reach for it if: you want a gallery-grade look with a deep frame that can handle canvas or matted art.
Look elsewhere if: you want a ready-to-hang kit with no hardware upgrades.
2. ArtToFrames 1.25″ Soft Black
The dependable soft black frame that handles textured and dimensional art without flattening it.
This frame earns its value badge by balancing a reasonable price with genuinely useful depth. The 0.4375 inch rabbet is only slightly shallower than the Antique Black pick, and it ships at 3.8 pounds — the heaviest of the ArtToFrames trio — which gives it a sturdy, planted feel on the wall. It fits 20×22 inch photos with a finished size of 22″L x 24″W.
Owners specifically praise it for textured relief map prints and deep dimensional art, noting the clean mitered corners, easy assembly, and that it hangs flat without warping. The soft black finish is understated enough to disappear and let the artwork star. One recurring caveat: the hanging hardware is the weak point here too. Owners mention the wire runs too short to tie securely and the nail is undersized for the frame’s weight — pick up a sturdier kit.
Assembly gets mixed feedback, mostly because the frame arrives with no instructions, but nothing about the process is complicated. One owner framed an old movie poster and called the fit “perfect.” For an odd size, this is the reliable workhorse that gets the job done without fuss.
Built to Handle
- Deep enough for textured and raised-relief prints
- Sturdy engineered wood with clean mitered corners
- Reasonable price for a hard-to-find size
The Catch
- Arrives with no assembly instructions
- Hanging wire and nail are undersized
Get this if: you need a sturdy, budget-friendly frame for dimensional art and odd sizes.
Think twice if: you expect a premium hanging kit right from the start.
3. ArtToFrames 0.75″ Black
The eco-friendly composite frame that looks expensive without the hardwood price tag.
When budget is the priority but you still want a sharp-looking frame, this is the balance. It is made from BonanzaWood, a composite material from Framerica that mimics the finish and look of solid wood at a fraction of the price. The frame sits 0.75 inches off the wall and has a 1.25 inch top surface, giving it a clean, substantial profile that owners say “looks very expensive.”
It comes with a rigid plexiglass front that is durable and shatterproof, plus a cardboard backer and an uninstalled sawtooth hanger, so you can hang it vertically or horizontally. The sawtooth hanger is a smart touch for a frame this size — it distributes weight across the wall better than a single nail. Buyers repeatedly mention how easy it is to assemble and how well it fits odd-sized prints.
There is a note of caution: an occasional unit arrives with corner gaps or flimsy cardboard backing, and the mounting hardware is not the strongest. But the appearance feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with multiple owners calling it sturdy and expensive-looking. For a budget frame that punches above its weight visually, this is the pick.
Why It Works
- Eco-friendly composite looks like real wood
- Shatterproof plexiglass front
- Sawtooth hanger allows vertical or horizontal display
Watch Out For
- Cardboard backer feels flimsy
- An occasional unit has corner gaps
Grab this if: you want an affordable frame that looks like it cost twice as much.
Pass if: you need a heavy-duty backer for frequent handling.
4. CustomPictureFrames.com Noir Classique
The handcrafted black frame with UV protection that treats your art like a museum piece.
This is the premium option for when your 20×22 art deserves the full treatment. It is handcrafted from real black wood and custom-made to order in the USA, with an overall finished size of 21.5″L x 23.5″W. The frame moulding is a slim 0.75 inches wide with a 0.5 inch rabbet depth, which means it can hold slightly thicker pieces while keeping a clean, low-profile border.
what separates it is the UV-resistant acrylic front and acid-free foam board backing. The UV coating helps protect your print from fading in bright rooms, and the acid-free backing prevents long-term yellowing or damage to the art. Owners repeatedly note it “looks more expensive than expected” and fits perfectly. It is a go-to for framing cross-stitch projects, sentimental t-shirts, and odd-shaped artwork that needs a custom home.
The honest caveat: this is the priciest frame in the lineup, and some buyers feel the plywood construction and metal back clips are not quite worth the premium. But that UV protection and the made-to-order quality are real differentiators. For a treasured piece you plan to keep for years, the extra cost buys genuine confidence.
The Premium Perks
- UV-resistant acrylic protects art from fading
- Acid-free foam board backing prevents damage
- Handcrafted and custom-made in the USA
Weigh The Cost
- Higher price than other 20×22 options
- Metal back clips can be fiddly
Splurge on this if: you are framing a sentimental or valuable piece that needs UV protection.
Save your money if: you just need a basic frame for a temporary poster.
Understanding the Specs
Rabbet Depth vs Lip
The rabbet is the hidden channel behind the lip that holds your art. A deeper rabbet — like the 0.5000 inches on the Antique Black frame — means you can frame canvas or matted prints. The lip is the front edge that overlaps your art; a larger lip covers more of the poster’s edge, so account for that when trimming.
Acrylic vs Glass Fronts
Acrylic (plexiglass) is lighter and shatterproof, which is why most large frames use it, but it can scratch. Glass is clearer and scratch-resistant but heavy and breakable. For a 20×22 wall frame above a couch or in a hallway, acrylic’s safety advantage usually wins.
Hanging Hardware
Big frames need big hardware. Many ArtToFrames units ship with wire and nails that are undersized for their own weight, so plan to supply a sturdier wire and a properly rated wall anchor. The sawtooth hanger on the WallsThatSpeak frame distributes weight better than a single nail.
Finished Frame Size
The finished size is the outside measurement, not the photo opening. A frame that fits a 20×22 photo will measure anywhere from 21″L x 23″W to 22.5″L x 24.5″W depending on the moulding width. Measure your wall space against the finished size before you order.
FAQ
Will a 20×22 frame fit my 20×22 poster exactly?
Can I frame a canvas in a 20×22 frame?
Why is the hanging hardware so poor on some frames?
Is acrylic as good as glass for a poster frame?
What is the difference between frame width and rabbet depth?
Is MDF as good as real wood for a picture frame?
Can I hang a 20×22 frame vertically and horizontally?
Will a 0.75 inch frame look too thin for a 20×22 poster?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most people, the 20 x 22 poster frame winner is the ArtToFrames Antique Black because it pairs real wood, a deep rabbet, and a vintage finish that makes any print look gallery-ready. If you want a dependable budget-friendly option that handles textured art, grab the Soft Black. And for a treasured piece that needs UV protection and a handcrafted feel, the Noir Classique is the one to reach for.
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 August 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.
Related Guides
