# Frames: give square images an artistic edge

URL: https://helpcenter.readypixl.com/articles/frames
Markdown: https://helpcenter.readypixl.com/articles/frames.md
Section: Pipelines
Summary: Cuts your image's edges into an artistic frame shape (a circle, rough edges, ornate shapes) so you don't upload a plain square. Built-in frame library plus upload-your-own.

Frames gives every image in your batch an **artistic edge** so you're not uploading a plain, boring square. It doesn't draw a border on top — it **deletes pixels** around the edges in the shape of a frame (a circle, rough brush edges, ornate shapes), the same on every image.

The shape comes from a separate image (the **frame mask**) that you pick from the built-in library (**See all** shows every frame) or upload yourself. Great for images where you don't need to remove the background but still want them to look designed on a shirt.

## Why this step matters

A framed edge makes a full-bleed image look finished instead of like a pasted rectangle:

- **Designs** made from scenes or photos where removing the background isn't the goal
- **Vintage / artistic looks** — rough or circular edges
- **Batches** where every image should get the same shape

Doing this by hand on every image in a batch = tedious. Frames does it consistently across the whole batch in one step.

## How to use it

1. Add Frames to your pipeline.
2. Pick a frame from the built-in library (or **See all**), or upload your own frame image.
3. (Optional) Adjust **Rotation**, **Flip**, and **Alpha Threshold** — rotate the frame to move the rough edge to a different side.
4. (Optional) **Add a second frame** — e.g. a circle plus a rough edge — and the effects layer. Pair it with **Distress** for a worn look.

## The settings

| Setting | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| **Frame Mask** | The frame shape. Wherever the mask is solid, your image is cut away; where it's transparent, your image stays. Built-in frames included; uploading your own is supported (a PNG with a transparent center works best). |
| **Rotation** | Rotates the frame mask. Useful when the frame's natural direction doesn't match your design. |
| **Flip** | Mirrors the frame horizontally / vertically / both. |
| **Alpha Threshold** (0–255, default 80) | Wherever the frame mask is at least this solid, your image is cut away. **Lower = more intense** (more of the edges get cut); **higher = more subtle**. |

## How to make your own frame

A custom frame image is just a PNG with:

- **A transparent (see-through) center** — that part of your image is kept
- **Solid areas around the edge** (any color) — those parts of your image are cut away

Save as PNG, upload it as your frame mask, and ReadyPixl scales it to fit each image in your batch.

## Common uses

- **Circle crop for every image** — the plain circle frame turns a batch of squares into round designs.
- **Rough, brushed edges** on full-scene AI images for a vintage look.
- **Ornate frame shapes** for antique-themed designs.
- **Custom hand-drawn edges** uploaded as PNG, batch-applied for a unique look across your shop.

Frames removes pixels; it never adds a colored border. For a colored outline, use **Outline / Stroke**; for a colored margin, use **Padding** or **Canvas Fill**.

## Tips

- **Best on images that keep their background** (scenes, full-bleed AI art) — that's where a plain square looks boring.
- **Run BEFORE Reposition** so the framed design gets placed on the canvas as a unit.
- **Rotate the frame** to put its roughest edge on the side you want, and **stack two frames** (e.g. circle + rough edge) for a layered effect.
- **For very tall or very wide images**, the frame stretches to fit. If that distorts a circular frame into an oval, consider using a frame that already has the right proportions.
- **Save the pipeline as a preset** once you've picked your frame. Every batch loads the same frame in one click.

## Things Frames doesn't do

- **It doesn't generate frames for you.** Use built-in frames or upload your own. There's no AI-generates-a-frame button.
- **It doesn't change the image's overall size.** The frame fits within your existing canvas. To increase the canvas size around the design, use Reposition first with extra padding.
- **It doesn't add color, text or other elements.** For text, use Watermark Text. For a logo overlay, use Watermark Image.

## What to read next

- **[Reposition](reposition)** — for setting the canvas size that Frames sits inside
- **[Clipping Mask](clipping-mask)** — related shape-cutting tool
- **[Distress](distress)** — pairs well with Frames for a worn look