How To Make A Picture Matte

Add elegance and protection when framing photos or artwork by adding a frame mat in a complementary color.

How to make a picture matte.

This helps to make the texture of the image more pronounced and makes the paper ideal for highly detailed photos such as shots of buildings. This blue was spray painted it worked well on the mat boards. Then you tape your art photo to the back of the mat making sure your piece is centered in the mat as you want it. Here the image is cut apart each section mounted on 1 4 foam board and individual mats cut around each section.

Attach mat to artwork. You may need a second piece of tape at the top of the art and mat. The only problem i have with this method is that i live in a high humidity area. Instead match it to the photo itself.

Take a small piece of artist s tape and press it on your jeans or shirt first adding lint to the tape will remove most of the stickiness and prevent it from ripping your mat or paper when removed then put the tape on the mat and image to hold them in place. Which of course ruined the photo. Flip the matted picture over and tape across the back edges. I used masking tape for this.

If an image has a strong element that is receding such as the river sweeping off into the distance in sisley s road to hampton court a darker mat perhaps one that ties into the dark green of the trees along the bank in the background helps to enhance it. Something with a medium tack works well and you can always switch out the art. Choose a colored mat to complement the picture you want to frame. Turn the page picture side up and hold the pre cut mat over the page to decide where you want the image in the opening.

Once you ve lined up both mats and made sure the picture is centered take small strips of artist s tape and lightly stick the mat halves together. 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. Do not let the exposed tape touch the mat until you have decided placement. Choose one of our acid free pre cut mats or customize an uncut matboard.

Place the picture against the backing mat and then center the window frame mat over it. Avoid picking a mat color based on the room where the picture will be hung. Often used by professionals matte photo paper is free of shine resulting in more muted colors.