The Cheapest Way to Hang a Golden Gate Bridge Print
The cheapest way is usually a paper print in a simple frame. Paper costs the least, and a basic frame keeps the total down. That combination is usually less than metal or canvas, and it still looks like real art on the wall.
Spring flowers line the California hillside overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. From here, I snap this stunning photograph of the Golden Gate Bridge, perfect for any wall in a home or a office.
Additional Information:
Please allow 5-10 days for printing and shipping.
I have the ability to print custom sizes and material (like wood, gatorboard, etc.). If this interests you, please reach out to dj@dalton-johnson.com for a free quote with the size and material you desire.
My Golden Gate Bridge print starts at $26.95, and the price climbs with size and material. If you are trying to keep the total low, here is how I would go about it.
Start with paper. It shows the detail and the color well, and I choose the paper for every order myself, so you do not need to think about it. The catch is that paper needs a frame. Without one, it can look unfinished. With one, it looks polished.
Choose a simple frame. You do not need anything expensive. The photograph has plenty of color, with a blue sky, blue water, yellow flowers, and a red bridge. A plain black, white, or light wood frame keeps the focus on the picture, and it costs less than something ornate.
Pick a standard size. The print comes in 8x10, 8x12, 11x14, 12x18, 16x24, 20x30, and 24x36. Many of those match common frame sizes, which means you can often find an affordable frame off the shelf instead of paying for custom framing.
Start smaller if you need to. A smaller print costs less, and so does the frame. An 8x10 or an 11x14 can look good on a shelf, a desk, or a small wall. You can always add a larger piece later.
Compare it with the other materials. Metal is usually the most expensive. It is stunning, durable, and has high UV protection, but the price is higher. Canvas is usually the middle option, and on larger sizes it can cost more, partly because it has to be built and shipped. So if the goal is the lowest price, paper wins.
Do not skip the frame to save money. It is tempting, but paper without a frame can look janky. A basic frame is a small cost that makes the whole piece look finished. That is the best value in the whole equation.
Keep the frame out of direct sun. A budget setup should still last. Harsh sunlight is hard on any print, including paper. A wall with soft, steady light is the right home for it.
If you plan to give it as a gift, allow time. The print ships in about 5 to 10 days, and you will want to have the frame ready. Ordering the frame while you wait is a good way to avoid a delay.
Think about where you will put it, because placement can save money too. A smaller print on the right wall often reads better than a large one squeezed into the wrong spot. A short hallway, a space beside a desk, or the wall over a bookshelf can each carry an 11x14 or a 12x18 nicely, and you avoid paying for a size the room cannot use. The bridge is a wide subject, so a horizontal frame on a horizontal wall feels natural.
Order once and order right. Measure the frame you plan to buy, confirm the print size, and decide on paper before you check out. Reordering costs far more than any frame ever will. If you are unsure whether a size will fit, tape a piece of paper cut to that size on the wall first. It is free, and it is the cheapest insurance in the whole process.
I live in South Lake Tahoe, and the walls at home hold Lake Tahoe photographs and hand painted local art. A print you love in a simple frame will beat a costly one you feel nothing about.
Go check out all the prints by Dalton Johnson.
About the Author
Dalton Johnson is a photographer, writer, and filmmaker who tells stories about real people pushing themselves in the outdoors, from the High Sierra to the far reaches of every continent. He has shot and written for brands, tourism boards, and editorial outlets, including Nike, Patagonia, Four Seasons, PBS, GoPro, and Ford, with more than 160 campaigns and hundreds of published articles to his name. Off assignment, he bikepacks, trail runs, swims open water, chases big waves, and rock climbs.
