Choose a framed ketubah if you want it ready to hang as soon as you get home from the wedding, at a modest added cost. Choose unframed if you plan to work with a custom framer for special matting, glass or a frame to match existing decor. Either way, the ketubah is signed on the bare print, before it goes behind glass.
Framing is one of the last decisions couples make when ordering a ketubah, and one of the most practical. Here is how the two options compare, so you can decide with confidence.
Why framing matters for a ketubah
A ketubah is not just wedding stationery. It is a document and a work of art that you will likely display for decades. A frame protects the paper from dust, moisture and handling, and it turns the print into a finished piece for your wall. The question is not really whether to frame your ketubah, but when and how.
Option 1: Framed ketubah
Many ketubah shops ship unframed only, leaving you to find a framer after the wedding. At Ketubah Atelier, you can order your ketubah framed and ready to hang, in Black, White, Silver or Gold. Framing adds $13.75 to $22.55 depending on size. Browse our framed ketubahs.
Advantages
- Ready to hang. No post-wedding errand. Many couples hang their ketubah the week they get home.
- Affordable. Adding a frame at checkout is typically far less expensive and faster than a separate custom framing order.
- Display at the wedding. A framed ketubah can be placed on an easel near the chuppah or at the reception after signing, so guests can admire it.
- Protection in transit. After signing, a framed ketubah is easier to carry home safely.
Things to consider
- Signing logistics. Signatures go on the paper itself, so you will need to remove the print from the frame for signing and put it back afterward. Plan a clean, flat table and a few extra minutes.
- Limited frame styles. If you want a very specific moulding, mat color or specialty glass, a custom framer offers more choice.
Option 2: Unframed ketubah
An unframed ketubah arrives as a flat print, shipped flat in rigid, thick cardboard. Prints start at $108.90.
Advantages
- Easy signing. The print is ready for pens, with no frame to open.
- Full creative control. Choose any frame, mat or glazing you like, including UV-filtering glass or acrylic.
- Lower upfront cost. Ideal if you already have a framer you love or want to spread costs out.
Things to consider
- Another errand. After the wedding, life gets busy. Many unframed ketubahs sit in a closet longer than planned.
- Handling risk. Until it is framed, the print needs careful storage, flat and away from moisture.
- Custom framing costs. Professional framing can add significantly to the total.
Framed vs. unframed at a glance
| Framed | Unframed | |
|---|---|---|
| Ready to hang | Yes | No, needs framing |
| Added cost | $13.75 to $22.55 | None now; custom framing later |
| Frame choices | Black, White, Silver, Gold | Unlimited, through your framer |
| Signing day | Remove print from frame to sign | Sign directly |
| Display at wedding | Easy, on an easel | Possible, less protected |
| Best for | Convenience and value | Custom framing plans |
Choosing a frame color
If you go framed, choose the finish that suits both the design and your home.
Black
Crisp and modern. Black frames sharpen contrast and suit modern ketubahs and bold designs like the Burgundy Tree of Life Ketubah.
White
Light and airy. White frames let soft palettes breathe and pair beautifully with watercolor ketubahs such as the Twin Olive Trees Ketubah.
Silver
Cool and elegant. Silver complements blue and gray tones, for example the Jerusalem Blue Skyline Ketubah.
Gold
Warm and classic. Gold highlights metallic accents and suits traditional designs, including many Jerusalem and Tree of Life ketubahs.
How to sign a framed ketubah
- Before the signing, carefully open the back of the frame and remove the print. Do this at home or with your ketubah keeper, not in a rush at the venue.
- Lay the print on a clean, flat, dry surface.
- Sign with an archival pen. We recommend a black, fine-point Sakura Pigma Micron.
- Let the ink dry completely, then return the print to the frame.
For more on signing day, read The Ketubah Signing: Who Signs, When, and What to Expect.
Caring for your ketubah after the wedding
- Hang it away from direct sunlight to keep the colors vivid. Our pigment inks and archival paper are made to last, and indirect light helps them last longest.
- Avoid humid spots such as bathrooms or directly above a kitchen stove.
- If unframed, store it flat in its original packaging until you frame it.
Our recommendation
For most couples, a framed ketubah is the simplest, best-value choice: it arrives finished, it is ready for display at the wedding, and it goes straight onto your wall afterward. Choose unframed if you already have a custom framer or a very specific look in mind.
Shop framed ketubahs
Every ketubah is printed as a museum-quality giclée on 340 gsm archival watercolor paper with pigment inks, personalized for free, and proofed within 24 hours. Shop framed ketubahs or browse all designs.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to frame a ketubah?
With Ketubah Atelier, framing adds $13.75 to $22.55 depending on size, and your ketubah arrives ready to hang in Black, White, Silver or Gold.
Can you sign a ketubah that is already framed?
Signatures go directly on the paper, so remove the print from the frame before signing, then return it once the ink is completely dry.
Is glass or acrylic better for a ketubah?
Both protect the print. If you frame unframed prints yourself, ask your framer about UV-filtering options, especially for walls that get bright light.
Will my framed ketubah arrive safely?
Yes. Every order ships flat in rigid, thick cardboard to protect it. If it arrives damaged, contact us within 7 days of delivery with a photo and we will replace it free.