Tray Frame vs Floating Frame: Which Is Right for Your Canvas?

If you have a canvas to frame, you have two main options: a tray frame or a floating frame. Both are designed specifically for canvas, but they look quite different and suit different situations. At Harten, we build both styles daily in our Manchester workshop. This guide explains how each one works, what the differences are, and how to decide which is right for your piece.

What Is a Tray Frame?

A tray frame (sometimes called a shadow box frame for canvas) is an L-shaped moulding that wraps around the outside of a canvas. The canvas sits inside the frame like a picture sitting in a tray. The front face of the canvas is flush with, or slightly below, the front edge of the frame.

The defining visual feature of a tray frame is the narrow shadow gap between the canvas edge and the inner wall of the frame. This gap is typically 3mm to 5mm wide. It creates a clean separation between the artwork and the frame, giving the piece a crisp, finished look without the frame touching the canvas at the front.

Construction is straightforward. The moulding has a rebate deep enough to house the canvas stretcher bars. The canvas is held in place from behind using spring clips or offset clips, which press the stretcher bar against the back of the frame. This keeps the canvas centred and creates that consistent shadow gap all the way around.

Tray frames work well with standard-depth canvases (roughly 18mm to 40mm). The frame adds a border around the artwork, much like a traditional frame does for a flat print, but the canvas surface remains visible right to the edges. There is no mount or glazing. The painting is open to the air, which suits oil and acrylic work that does not need glass protection.

What Is a Floating Frame?

A floating frame creates the illusion that the canvas is suspended within the frame, with a visible gap on all sides including the front. The canvas appears to hover inside the moulding rather than sit within it.

This effect is achieved by mounting the canvas from behind so that it sits slightly forward of the frame backing. The gap between the canvas edge and the frame is visible from the front and, depending on the design, along the sides and even around the back edge of the canvas. The result is a sense of depth and separation that makes the canvas look like it is floating in space.

Floating frames typically use a deeper moulding than tray frames. The extra depth is needed to accommodate the mounting hardware and the visible space around the canvas. Some floating frames have a pronounced step between the outer edge and the inner shelf where the canvas sits, which adds to the three-dimensional effect.

The visual impact of a floating frame is more dramatic. It draws attention to the canvas as an object, not just the painted surface. Gallery-wrapped canvases with painted edges look particularly good in floating frames because the side edges become part of the presentation.

Tray Frame vs Floating Frame: Key Differences

Here is a direct comparison of the two styles across the factors that matter most when choosing a canvas frame.

• Visual effect: A tray frame gives a contained, bordered look with a subtle shadow gap. A floating frame gives a dramatic, suspended effect where the canvas appears to hover within the moulding.

• Construction: Tray frames use L-shaped moulding with the canvas sitting inside and secured from behind. Floating frames use deeper moulding with the canvas mounted forward so the gap is visible from the front.

• Canvas depth compatibility: Tray frames suit standard canvases (18mm to 40mm depth). Floating frames accommodate a wider range including deep-edge canvases (up to 45mm or more), because the mounting system can adjust for depth.

• Canvas edges: In a tray frame, the sides of the canvas are mostly hidden inside the frame. In a floating frame, the canvas edges are fully visible, so gallery-wrapped canvases with painted edges look best.

• Cost: Tray frames are generally the more affordable option. The moulding is simpler and the fitting process is quicker. Floating frames cost more due to deeper mouldings and more involved construction. For a typical 60cm x 80cm canvas, expect a floating frame to be roughly 20% to 30% more than an equivalent tray frame.

• Best suited for: Tray frames work well for standard-depth canvases where you want a neat, bordered finish. Floating frames suit gallery-wrapped or deep-edge canvases where the suspended look adds impact, particularly for contemporary artwork.

Which Works Best for Your Canvas?

The right choice depends on three things: your canvas, your space, and your preference.

Start with the canvas itself. Check the depth of your stretcher bars. Standard canvases at 18mm to 20mm depth are easy to fit in either frame type, but a tray frame is the simpler option. Deep-edge canvases at 38mm or more look better in floating frames because the extra depth gives the floating effect more presence.

Look at the canvas edges. If your canvas has painted or gallery-wrapped edges, a floating frame shows them off. If the edges are raw, stapled, or folded over, a tray frame hides them neatly.

Think about the setting. Floating frames have a contemporary, gallery feel. They suit modern interiors and minimal rooms where you want the artwork to be a focal point. Tray frames have a cleaner, more traditional finish. They blend into a wider range of rooms without drawing attention to the frame itself.

Consider the artwork style. Abstract or contemporary canvases often look striking in floating frames. Landscapes, portraits, and more traditional subjects tend to sit comfortably in tray frames. But these are guidelines, not rules. We have seen abstract work look superb in simple oak tray frames and traditional landscapes transform in floating frames.

Can You Switch Between Them?

Yes, but it is not always a straight swap. If your canvas is currently in a tray frame and you want to move it to a floating frame (or the other way around), you will need a new frame. The moulding profiles are different and the mounting systems are not interchangeable.

The canvas itself does not change. We remove it from the old frame, check the stretcher bars and tension, and fit it into the new frame. If you are reframing because the original frame was the wrong size or style, this is a good opportunity to have the canvas restretched if the tension has slackened over time.

One thing to bear in mind: if your canvas was originally stretched to fit a specific tray frame, the outer dimensions might not match a standard floating frame moulding. A bespoke framer can make either style to any size, so this is only a concern if you are buying off-the-shelf frames.

If you are not sure which style would suit your canvas, bring it in. We can show you samples of both frame types against your piece so you can see the difference before committing. For more on what custom framing costs, see our guide to custom framing prices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a tray frame and a floating frame?

A tray frame wraps around the outside of the canvas with a small shadow gap, giving a bordered finish. A floating frame mounts the canvas so it appears suspended within the frame, with a visible gap around all sides. The visual effect is different: tray frames look contained and neat, while floating frames create a more dramatic, gallery-style presentation.

Which is the best frame for a canvas painting?

It depends on your canvas and your taste. Tray frames suit standard-depth canvases and give a clean, traditional finish. Floating frames suit deep-edge and gallery-wrapped canvases and create a contemporary, suspended look. Both protect and present the artwork well. If you have painted edges you want to show off, a floating frame is usually the better choice.

Can you put a canvas painting in a floating frame?

Yes. Floating frames are designed specifically for canvas artwork. The canvas is mounted from behind so it appears to float within the frame. It works for any canvas size, though the canvas needs to be properly stretched on a rigid stretcher bar frame. Loose or rolled canvas would need to be stretched first before fitting into a floating frame.

Are floating frames more expensive than tray frames?

Generally, yes. Floating frames use deeper mouldings and require more precise construction to achieve the suspended effect. Expect to pay roughly 20% to 30% more for a floating frame compared to a tray frame of similar size and finish. The exact difference depends on the moulding material and the size of the canvas.

Do I need glazing with a tray frame or floating frame?

Canvas framing rarely uses glazing. Oil and acrylic paint on canvas is durable and does not need glass or acrylic protection in the way that works on paper do. Both tray frames and floating frames are designed as open frames without glazing. If your canvas needs protection from dust or handling in a high-traffic area, a sealed display case is a better solution than adding glass to either frame type.

At Harten, we have been framing canvases for over 50 years. Whether you choose a tray frame or a floating frame, we make every frame to measure in our Manchester workshop. Bring your canvas in and we will help you decide which style brings out the best in your artwork.