Framed Florine Stettheimer Prints Without Glass Cover Explained

Glare is a fair complaint, and glass is not the only way to frame a print. Here is what plexiglass-free framing actually involves, what it protects against, and where the tradeoffs land.

Auvrique Editorial · Fine Art Editions

The short answer

Yes, a framed print can be bought without a glass or acrylic cover. Most framers default to plexiglass because it blocks dust, fingerprints and UV light, but glass-free framing is a standard request, not a custom exception. Expect a matte or bare print surface, slightly lower cost, and noticeably less reflection in lit rooms.

Why framers reach for plexiglass first

A cover sheet exists for one reason. It keeps dust, moisture and curious fingers off the print surface. Plexiglass has largely replaced glass in commercial framing because it weighs less, does not shatter, and filters a meaningful share of UV light, which matters for any print hung near a window. The cost of that protection is reflection. In a room with overhead lighting or a bright opposite wall, an acrylic sheet can turn a flat colour field into a mirror.

Stettheimer's work makes this worse than usual. Her palette runs bright and saturated, with flat areas of pink, gold and blue that sit close to the surface. Under a glossy cover those flat areas catch light first and reflect it hardest. A matte or glass-free presentation suits that kind of painting better than it would suit a dark, tonal work, where the cover adds depth rather than glare.

What glass-free framing actually means

Removing the cover does not mean removing the frame. A glass-free framed print is still mounted on a backing board and held in a moulding, so the edges and corners stay protected. What changes is the print face, which is left open to the air. Some framers offer a matte laminate or a textured spray finish as a middle option, which reduces glare further while adding a thin sacrificial layer.

The honest drawback is maintenance. An uncovered print will collect dust and can mark permanently if touched, so it needs a soft dry dusting now and then and a spot away from steam and direct sun. For anyone weighing formats, a canvas edition such as buy the canvas edition avoids the problem entirely, since canvas has no cover to begin with. Framed posters like the framed poster format usually ship with a cover by default, so ask before ordering.

Cover options compared

Plexiglass gives the strongest protection against dust, impact and UV fading.
Anti-glare acrylic cuts reflection noticeably but adds cost and a slight softness.
Glass-free framing removes glare completely and lowers the price a little.
An uncovered print needs regular dry dusting and careful placement.

Choosing the right option for your room

Start with the wall, not the frame. A print hung opposite a window or under spotlights will fight any glossy surface, so glass-free or anti-glare makes sense there. A dim hallway or a wall lit only by ambient light gets little glare benefit from removing the cover, and keeps more protection instead. Placement decides this more than taste does.

Since Auvrique does not currently carry Florine Stettheimer editions, the practical route is checking the framing specifications of whichever seller you use, and asking directly whether the cover can be omitted. For related reading on this artist, see best Stettheimer prints for living rooms or matte finish availability for Stettheimer prints. Size questions are covered in choosing a canvas size for your wall.

Glare is a placement problem before it is a framing problem. Move the print and the acrylic stops mattering.

Option	Glare	Protection
Standard plexiglass	Noticeable in lit rooms	High, blocks dust and UV
Anti-glare acrylic	Reduced	High, slight surface softness
No cover	None	Low, open print face

Cover options at a glance

Key takeaways

Glass-free framed prints are a standard request, not a special order.
Plexiglass exists to block dust and UV, and its cost is reflection.
Stettheimer's flat, bright colour areas show glare more than dark paintings do.
Canvas editions sidestep the issue because they carry no cover at all.

Related questions

Does removing the glass make a framed print cheaper?

Usually by a modest amount, since acrylic sheet and its cutting add to the framing cost. The frame, mount and backing board remain the larger share of the price. Treat the saving as a bonus rather than the reason to go glass-free.

Will an uncovered print fade faster?

It can. A cover sheet filters part of the UV spectrum, so a bare print hung in direct sunlight will fade sooner. Hang it on a wall that never takes direct sun and the difference in practice is small for a reproduction.

Is anti-glare acrylic worth the extra cost?

In a bright room, often yes. It keeps nearly all of the dust and UV protection while cutting most of the reflection. In a dim room the benefit is hard to see, and plain plexiglass or no cover does the same job for less.

From the Auvrique collection

Made to order · Every size