How to Frame a Picture/Printable version

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How to Frame a Picture

The current, editable version of this book is available in Wikibooks, the open-content textbooks collection, at
https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_Frame_a_Picture

Permission is granted to copy, distribute, and/or modify this document under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License.

Equipment required

Equipment suggested for picture framing[edit | edit source]

  • Sharp pencil (2B recommended, as it will leave clear sharp lines)
  • Notebook (for recording colours for matboard, frame types and measurements - and for calculating costs)
  • Retractable tape measure
  • Metal ruler
  • Sharp knife
Retractable snap-off bladed knife works well.

Frame cutting and assembly[edit | edit source]

  • Mitre saw, or guillotine
  • Bounding tape thing
  • Corner tacking gun, with tacks

Glass cutting[edit | edit source]

  • Oil filled glass cutter
  • Cotton gloves

Mat cutting[edit | edit source]

  • Square and rightangle ruler based cutter
Note: a ruler and a knife just doesn't cut it ;)

Advanced stuff[edit | edit source]

Sample mat board collection[edit | edit source]

Storage[edit | edit source]

Mat board[edit | edit source]

The spare mat board is easy to store in an old map drawer cabinet. These can be often be picked up at ex-government furniture stores.

Glass[edit | edit source]

Frame material[edit | edit source]

Standing against the wall, or up in the rafters.


Material required

When selecting a frame, decide on the colour, window size and area of the mount. (A pale colour makes the picture look larger; a dark colour makes the picture look smaller). Normally, a frame is sold in a long strip which needs to be cut to size.

You will also need:

  • Glass
  • Matt board
  • Foam core
  • Sealing tape
  • Wood glue
  • Pins for securing the backing to the frame
  • Eyelets
  • Nylon cord


Choosing colours and styles

When choosing the appropriate surround for artwork, it is helpful to keep in mind several variables:

  • Do you need to crop the picture?
  • Is the piece destined for a single location?
  • What materials do you have on hand?
  • Will you need to re-use the frame?

And finally, and probably most importantly:

  • Will your partner agree with your choice?


Choosing a frame[edit | edit source]

Choosing a matt style[edit | edit source]


Calculate the sizes

  • Keep a workbook of notes and measurements, so that you can track back specifics
  • Extra space at bottom of frame, unless frame re-use needed.
  • Always measure off the frame

Diagram showing coloured areas for art (red), matting (green), and frame (blue).

Matt width - 5cm.

The calculations are in centimeters.

Width Height
Artwork <ArtWidth> <ArtHeight>
Inner edge (red) <ArtWidth> - 1 <ArtHeight> - 1 Need overlap to keep picture in place
Matt size (green) <ArtWidth>-1 + (2*<MattWidth>) <ArtHeight>-1 + (2*<MattHeight>) +1 extra matt at bottom to stop optical illusion of frame leaning forward
Frame size (blue) <ArtWidth>-1+(2*<MattWidth>) +(2*<FrameWidth>) <ArtHeight>-1+(2*<MattHeight>)+1 +(2*<FrameHeight>)

Which means that ...

you need this much frame prior to cutting: left + right + top + bottom

2*(<ArtWidth>-1+(2*<MattWidth>)+(2*<FrameWidth>))+ 2 * (<ArtHeight>-1+(2*<MattHeight>)+1+(2*<FrameHeight>)) = (2*<ArtWidth>)-2+(4*<MattWidth>)+(4*<FrameWidth>)+ (2*<ArtHeight>)+(4*<MattHeight>)+(4*<FrameHeight>)

Measuring for Mounts[edit | edit source]

Someone should merge this section into the above.

Calculating the Mount Size (to be cut from a sheet of mount board).

  1. Decide how much of the picture you want to show (add to, or take away from the art size) = WINDOW SIZE.
  2. Decide how much mount you want around the window (margins).
    • Top and both sides are the same.
    • For bottom margin allow extra 20% to compensate for the optical illusion which makes the bottom border seem narrower than it actually is.
    • Standard margin sizes:
      • Top and sides 50mm, bottom 65mm.
      • Top and sides 65mm, bottom 75mm.
      • Top and sides 75mm, bottom 90mm.
    • Allow for width of frame rebate by adding that amount to each margin width = MARGIN WIDTH.
  3. Therefore MOUNT HEIGHT = rebate allowance + top margin + window height + bottom margin + rebate allowance.
  4. Therefore MOUNT WIDTH = rebate allowance + right margin + window width + left margin + rebate allowance.
  5. Therefore MOUNT SIZE = MOUNT HEIGHT * MOUNT WIDTH


Creating a frame

Check[edit | edit source]

  • Sanity check measurements

Cut[edit | edit source]

  • Make clean cuts, taking care to approach the line.
  • Undercut the edge to ensure tight fit on corner.

[Include profile shot of cutout of frame edge]

Assemble[edit | edit source]

  • Use masking tape to temporarily hold frame in place.

Check[edit | edit source]

Place the frame over the artwork to check that it's the right shape and size.

Glue[edit | edit source]

  • Add glue to edges
  • Tape
  • Use band to hold frame in place
  • When tightening, check that the frame comes below the middle line of the frame, to ensure a tight edge on the face.

Pin[edit | edit source]

  • Check for staples length pushing though the frame, especially for routed edges.

Check[edit | edit source]

  • Glue on the front face


Fitting glass

The glass should be cut 1/8" smaller than the frame itself, however this should be achieved not by adjusting the size of the glass but by making the dimensions of the frame 1/8" larger than the objects to be placed in it.


Adding matt-board

  • Measure
  • Cut inner border

[insert diagram of matt lifting]


Ideas for double matt[edit | edit source]


Final assembly

  • Clean glass
  • Assemble pieces
  • Check the look of the front
  • Pin down the backing

For each side:

  • Lay down tape
  • Push it into corners and around the pins
  • Add eyehooks
  • Secure the hanging cord


Tips for pastel drawings

Tips for pastel drawings[edit | edit source]

  • Ensure that the drawing is well bonded to the backing with ?sealant?
  • Leave a gap at the bottom of the frame, between the paper and the matt, to allow for dust to settle inside the matt.