Choose a sandwich acrylic frame when the print will stay in place, and consider a slot-in acrylic frame when staff need to change it regularly. Both custom frame types use two clear panels and metal standoffs. Their main difference is how you reach the paper, not whether the display appears to float away from the wall.
The custom acrylic frame page lets you choose the construction and outside frame dimensions. The broader Wall Frames & Holders range also contains ready-size holders and other mounting methods. Check which product you are configuring before entering a size.
Compare how the print is changed
A sandwich frame holds the insert between two acrylic sheets. Changing it means opening the front panel at the standoffs. This suits a display that stays in place for a while, such as an office certificate or a long-running information poster.
A slot-in frame, also called a pocket frame in the custom range, has a top opening and thumb notch. The insert slides in and out without removing the standoffs. That access is useful for price lists, menus and notices that staff update frequently.
| Decision | Sandwich frame | Custom slot-in frame |
|---|---|---|
| How do I replace the print? | Open the front panel at the standoffs | Slide the paper through the top slot |
| What should I check at the wall? | Access to the front fittings | Clear space above the slot and access to the paper |
| What does the size field describe? | Outside frame width and height | Outside frame width and height |
| Is the insert included automatically? | Printed inserts are quoted separately | Printed inserts are quoted separately |
A slot does not make a holder weather-sealed. Plan these paper displays for the intended indoor setting, and discuss any exposed or damp location before ordering. The wall, frame weight and fittings need to work together.
Enter the outside frame size, not just the paper size
The custom two-panel frames allow a 20mm border around every side of the insert. Add 40mm to the insert width and 40mm to its height to obtain the outside frame size. The border keeps the fittings on the acrylic rather than on the paper.
| Insert, portrait | Paper size | Outside custom frame size |
|---|---|---|
| A5 | 148 × 210mm | 188 × 250mm |
| A4 | 210 × 297mm | 250 × 337mm |
| A3 | 297 × 420mm | 337 × 460mm |
For a landscape version, swap the width and height together. For a nonstandard insert, measure the actual trimmed paper rather than its file name. A print described casually as “about A4” may not have the dimensions the frame needs.
This calculation is for the custom frame range. A ready-size wall pocket may ask you to select the paper size and orientation instead. Do not add a border to a ready-size holder's A4 selection unless its own instructions ask you to do so.
Choose the available thickness build for the size
The custom range offers several front-and-back thickness combinations. A label such as 5mm + 3mm describes the two panels, not a single sheet. Read the selected product description to identify the back and front thicknesses.
Larger panels can need a different build from a small certificate frame. The configurator applies the size limits for each construction. If your dimensions exceed the selected build's limit, compare another offered build rather than assuming a small frame can simply be enlarged with no other change.
Thickness also affects weight. Agree on the mounting surface and appropriate wall fixings before ordering a large panel. The display image does not establish that adhesive, a particular anchor or the existing wall holes will carry it. This guide is a buying and sizing aid, not a wall-fixing specification.
Leave room to use the frame after installation
For a pocket frame, check the space above the display. A low shelf, cabinet or ceiling detail can make a perfectly sized slot difficult to use. Imagine the full sheet being lifted out, not just a hand reaching the notch.
For a sandwich frame, leave access to the fittings and room to handle the front panel. Place the display where a person can change the insert without leaning across furniture or putting the panel at risk. Ask the installer to confirm the proposed position and fixing method.
Order the holder and print as separate specifications
Record the insert dimensions, frame dimensions, orientation and construction together. Then check whether the chosen listing includes only the frame or a selected print option. Custom frame inserts are quoted separately; the artwork in a gallery photograph is not an included printed poster.
If you need a new insert, configure a poster print at the actual paper dimensions. The larger outside frame dimensions do not become the poster dimensions. Check that headings, logos and important information remain visible within the clear display area.
Use the artwork preparation guide for the print file. Review the exact artwork proof before approving printing. Buying the frame, paying for the order or uploading a file does not approve the insert artwork automatically. Allow separate time for artwork approval, production and delivery.
FAQ
Is a floating frame the same as an acrylic sandwich frame?
“Floating” describes the appearance and is used for different products. In the custom range, the sandwich frame uses two panels and metal standoffs. Other wall holders may use a different construction or mounting base, so compare the actual product description.
Can an acrylic sandwich frame be made to a custom size?
Yes. Enter the outside width and height on the custom acrylic frame page and choose a build that accepts those dimensions. For this range, allow a 20mm border on each side of the insert.
Do I have to remove the standoffs to change a slot-in insert?
The custom pocket frame is designed for the paper to slide through the top opening without removing the standoffs. Leave space above that opening so the insert can be lifted out and replaced.
Does ordering an A4 custom frame mean entering 210 × 297mm?
Those are the A4 insert dimensions. In the custom two-panel range, its outside frame is 250 × 337mm. A ready-size holder that asks for A4 paper is a different selection process; follow that holder's own size guide.
Make the final choice
Choose the changing method first, measure the insert, calculate the custom outside size where required, and check the available construction and mounting. Keeping those decisions separate helps you order a frame that fits both the paper and the way staff will use it.