How to Print and Display Vintage Art Prints in Your Home
Vintage art prints are a charming way to add character and warmth to your home. They are now very accessible thanks to the Public Domain, and the ability to download and print for free! In this guide, I will share where to find free vintage art, how to download & print, and creative ideas on displaying them in your home.
Where to Find Free Vintage Art Prints
There are several Public Domain Resources that you can peruse and make art selections from to download and print original vintage art. You can choose however many you want of all vintage artwork! All you need to do is type in your keyword + the type of media it is. Such as “ocean watercolor” or “wildflower painting”.
- The Met Museum
- National Gallery of Art
- Smithsonian Open Access
- New York Public Library Digital Collections
- Raw Pixel (Public Domain Section)
- Getty Museum Collection
- Picryl
- YCBA
- Art Institute Chicago
Choosing the right vintage prints for your home or project can sometimes be a challenge. It’s helpful to have a picture in mind before you start. Even if it’s just a vague idea, here are some questions to ask yourself while choosing vintage art prints:
- What type of media? (watercolor, painting, abstract, landscape)
- Where do I want the art print to be located in my home?
- What are the colors that would coordinate in the space it will be located?
- Will this piece of art of vintage wall art be framed by itself or in a collage?
There are also several wonderful Etsy shops that have print public domain art that you can purchase ready to frame.
Landscape Art Prints
(click photos to head to source)
How to Prepare Vintage Art for Printing
Once you have made the selections you like, all you have to do is download each from the specific website. You are free to download as many as you like from each site, and even mix and match from different sites to create collages for your home.
Then you will be prompted from each website upon downloading to select the size you would like. You will need to ensure that your resolution is high enough for printing. If you need to change size or resolution, Canva is a great website for this. It allows you to be able to edit and enhance your images without losing quality.
Floral Art Prints
(click photos to head to source)
Printing Vintage Art
You have a few options for printing your artwork that you have downloaded.
- Printing Your Artwork at Home:
- Recommended printer types: inkjet printer, laser printer
- Best paper choices: matte photo paper, linen, cardstock, or textured paper.
- Printer settings for high-quality results.
- Using a Professional Printer:
- Benefits of printing at Staples, Office Depot, FedEx, or online services like Shutterfly.
- Understanding paper finishes to get the desired finish (glossy, matte, canvas prints) will help ensure quality.
- Printing on Canvas:
- Services that print directly on canvas for an authentic art feel.
Animals in Art Prints
(click photos to head to source)
How to Frame and Display Your Vintage Art
The finishing touches for your vintage art prints are adding them to a frame and figuring out how to display them.
Choosing the Perfect Frame for Your Vintage Art Print:
The best places to find affordable frames are thrift stores, Amazon, Target, Home Goods, and more. Here are some beautiful frames for inspiration:
- Vintage Gold & Silver Metal Picture Frames for Collage
- Matted Black Gallery Frame
- Brass Matted Antique Ornate Arch Table Frame
- Vintage Picture Frame with Mat
- Gold Picture Frame for Wall and Tabletop
- Solid Wood Rustic Walnut Picture Frame
Creative Display Ideas for Vintage Art Prints:
- Gallery Wall to mix different sizes and styles for an eclectic look. You can use similar frames or different styles to complete the look.
- Leaning Art Against the Wall for an effortless style on mantels and shelves.
- Hanging Without Frames by using clipboards, wooden hangers, or washi tape for a more casual display of your art.
- Layering Your Vintage Art with Modern Pieces for a contrasted and layered look in your home.
Extra Tips for an Authentic Vintage Look
If you are wanting a more authentic, antique look for your vintage art prints, you can try some different techniques after printing.
The first is to tea or coffee stain your print to create an aged, vintage feel you might find in an old photograph. You can also sand or fray the edges of your photo to make it appear aged. You can then add it to an old, vintage frame to complete the look of authentic antique art.
Printing vintage art prints is so simple and cost effective. I love that it can literally take a few minutes to download and print or send them to a printer. They can add so much charm to your home decor. I hope that you take time to peruse these art prints from the Public Domain because the options are seriously endless as far as styles and display methods go!
I hope this resource blesses you and your family this year!
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