Curated Recommendations
Tools &
Supplies
The tools, supplies, and equipment we recommend for art — from hanging and framing to lighting, shipping, and storage. Every pick is research-based: specs, ratings, and owner reviews.
We get asked all the time what products we recommend for hanging, framing, protecting, and displaying art. This page is our honest answer. Every item here was chosen from manufacturer specs, the weight and hardware ratings each maker publishes, current prices, and what verified buyers report over time. Nothing on this page is sponsored. We earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, which helps support the gallery at no extra cost to you.
Hanging & Display
Everything you need to hang art properly — from museum wire to French cleats. These are the systems we recommend for most walls.
OOK Professional Picture Hanging Kit
$15–25Rated up to 100 lbs, and enough for nearly every standard installation.
View on Amazon →French Cleat Heavy-Duty Mounting System
$20–40For large or heavy pieces. Distributes weight evenly and makes leveling easy.
View on Amazon →Laser Level with Tape Measure
$25–50Precision matters. A cheap laser level saves hours of eyeballing.
View on Amazon →Museum-Quality D-Rings & Wire
$10–20Stainless steel D-rings with braided wire. The same hardware museums use.
View on Amazon →Framing & Matting
Professional framing supplies for conservation-grade results, the ones we recommend to collectors.
Logan Mat Cutter
$50–120Clean beveled cuts every time. The standard mat cutter for clean custom mats at home.
View on Amazon →Acid-Free Mat Board (Pack of 25)
$30–60Conservation-grade. Never use regular mat board on anything you want to keep.
View on Amazon →UV-Filtering Museum Glass
$40–150Blocks 99% of UV rays. Essential for protecting works on paper.
View on Amazon →Lineco Frame Sealing Tape
$8–15Archival backing tape. Seals the frame to keep out dust and moisture.
View on Amazon →Lighting
Proper lighting changes everything. These are the fixtures and bulbs we recommend for home collectors, chosen on CRI and color temperature.
WAC Lighting LED Picture Light (16")
$80–200Gallery-quality light without the gallery price. Warm white, minimal glare.
View on Amazon →Track Lighting Kit (4 Adjustable Heads)
$60–150Flexible, directional. Perfect for gallery walls at home.
View on Amazon →LED Art Light Wireless (Battery-Powered)
$30–80No wiring needed. Rechargeable, warm-tone, attaches with magnets. Great for rentals.
View on Amazon →Shipping & Packing
Shipping art safely comes down to materials. These are the ones we recommend so nothing arrives damaged.
Glassine Paper Roll (24" × 100')
$15–30First layer of protection. Acid-free, prevents surface sticking.
View on Amazon →Corner Protectors for Framed Art
$10–25Foam corners. We go through hundreds of these a month.
View on Amazon →Double-Wall Corrugated Art Shipping Box
$8–20Always double-wall. Single-wall boxes fail in transit.
View on Amazon →Fragile + Do Not Stack Label Kit
$8–12Obvious but critical. These bright orange labels actually reduce damage rates.
View on Amazon →Storage & Archival
Art you're not displaying needs proper storage. These products prevent yellowing, foxing, and moisture damage.
Acid-Free Tissue Paper (500 Sheets)
$20–40Interleave between unframed works. Prevents surface contact and acid transfer.
View on Amazon →Art Storage Rack (Adjustable Dividers)
$80–200Vertical storage for framed pieces. Adjustable dividers prevent leaning and pressure.
View on Amazon →Silica Gel Desiccant Packs (Reusable)
$10–20Moisture is the enemy. Drop these in storage areas and forget about them.
View on Amazon →Art Books
Books for collectors, enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to understand art better. Picks from our team.
The Art of Looking by Lance Esplund
$12–18Best book on actually seeing art. Changes how you walk through a gallery.
View on Amazon →Ways of Seeing by John Berger
$10–15Classic. Short, provocative, and still relevant 50 years later.
View on Amazon →The $12 Million Stuffed Shark by Don Thompson
$12–18How the art market actually works. Fascinating and entertaining.
View on Amazon →Art = by Obrist & Bice Curiger
$25–50Gorgeous coffee table book. The kind of book that makes people pick it up.
View on Amazon →Need help with
your collection?
Whether you need an in-home appraisal, help with framing and installation, or advice on displaying your art — we're here.
Affiliate Disclosure: Austin Gallery is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. When you purchase through links on this page, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products our research supports.