How To Make A Matting For A Picture Frame

Once you ve assembled your frame i recommend caulking the seams for a more polished finish.

How to make a matting for a picture frame.

First you need the dimensions of the picture you want to frame then the width of the mat you want around the picture and lastly the width you want your frame to be. Make sure the screws you use are not longer than your wood. Add elegance and protection when framing photos or artwork by adding a frame mat in a complementary color. Here the image is cut apart each section mounted on 1 4 foam board and individual mats cut around each section.

First measure the size your mat will be which is typically the size of the glass in the frame and the size frame you buy 8 10 11 14 etc. Cut the mat size using your exacto knife. Arrange the mats concentrically around the picture. If you want to create a more complex layered look cut multiple window frame mats each approximately 5 to 1 smaller than the previous one.

2 if you already have the artwork you re going to use write down a quick description on each cut out sheet of paper so that you make sure you don t have too much of one thing too close together. And with that said i do collect photography prints and frames and have spent plenty a dime on professionally made or store bought mats but all too regularly find myself dealing with two issues. When using layered mats you can alternate various colors or designs making the space around the picture deeper and more ornate. The standard mat isn t the same size as the frame i want to put it in.

For example when doing a mixture of art prints and photos you want to make sure that they are spread out appropriately and not all the photos on one. In order to assemble your diy picture frame use the corner brackets at 90 degree angles and screw them in. Beginning with a turquoise mat add 1 2 foam board on top and end with the addition of a white mat on top of the foam board. Choose one of our acid free pre cut mats or customize an uncut matboard.

You don t want those poking through. This do it yourself video explains all the steps of cutting a professional looking mat for your artwork. 1 cut out some sheets of wrapping paper to the size of each of your frames or use the sheets from within the frames if you have them. You can score the mat and cut again if that s easier for you sometimes the mat boards are thick.