Matting Artwork: Size, Board, Frame & Hanging

Matting artwork requires carefully considering the artwork’s size, mat board’s material and color, frame’s dimensions, and the hanging environment; this process enhances the visual appeal and protects the art by creating a buffer against the glazing, ensuring the piece remains pristine while elegantly integrating it into its display setting.

Elevating Your Artwork: The Magic of Matting and Framing

Ever wondered how to make your artwork truly shine? It’s not just about the art itself, but how you present it! Think of matting and framing as the unsung heroes of the art world – they’re the dynamic duo that not only makes your piece look its absolute best but also guards it against the ravages of time.

The Dynamic Duo: Beauty and Brawn

Matting and framing are more than just pretty borders; they’re a power couple working in perfect harmony. Matting provides a crucial buffer zone, keeping your precious artwork from directly touching the glass or acrylic of the frame – a bit like a bodyguard for your masterpiece! Framing then adds that final touch of elegance and protection, completing the presentation.

A World of Styles Awaits

From sleek and modern to ornate and classic, the world of matting and framing is vast and exciting. The options are truly endless! Want a minimalist look? Go for a simple white mat and a thin metal frame. Feeling more adventurous? Try a double mat with contrasting colors and a bold wooden frame. It’s all about finding the style that best complements your artwork and your personal taste.

Protecting Your Legacy

Perhaps the most important role of matting and framing is preservation. Using archival-quality materials can prevent your artwork from fading, yellowing, or becoming brittle over time. Think of it as giving your art a little time capsule, ensuring it can be enjoyed for generations to come.

DIY or Pro? Finding the Right Fit

So, should you tackle matting and framing yourself, or leave it to the professionals? Well, that depends! DIY framing can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it requires some skill and the right tools. Professional framing, on the other hand, offers expertise and precision, ensuring your artwork is perfectly presented and protected. The best choice depends on your budget, your skill level, and the value of your artwork.

Unveiling the Arsenal: A Material Guide for Matting and Framing Like a Pro!

Think of matting and framing as building a tiny fortress around your beloved artwork, a shield against the ravages of time (and clumsy fingers). But before you grab your hammer and nails (metaphorically speaking, please!), let’s explore the essential materials that will make up your masterpiece’s protective armor. We will delve into the heart of framing!

Artwork: The Star of the Show

First and foremost, consider what you’re framing. Is it a delicate watercolor painting, a vibrant photograph, a cherished print, or even a textured textile? Each medium has its own unique needs. For instance, watercolors and delicate papers are especially susceptible to acid damage, making archival quality materials absolutely crucial.

• Photos: Are they glossy, matte, vintage? Glossy photos can sometimes stick to glass, so consider spacers or archival sleeves.
• Prints: Are they limited edition, valuable? Extra care is needed!
• Paintings: Oil paintings on canvas often don’t need glazing, while works on paper definitely do.
• Textiles: These need special mounting to prevent sagging or distortion.

Before you even think about matting or framing, give your artwork a thorough checkup. Look for any signs of damage – tears, creases, fading, or existing stains. Addressing these issues before framing will ensure that you’re not sealing in any pre-existing problems.

Mat Board: Giving Your Art Room to Breathe

Think of the mat board as a VIP zone around your artwork, providing both visual breathing room and crucial physical protection.

• Acid-Free vs. Non-Acid-Free: This is non-negotiable. Always choose acid-free mat boards to prevent yellowing and degradation of your artwork over time. Think of acid as the enemy!
• Thickness (Ply): Mat boards come in different thicknesses, or plies. A thicker ply creates a more substantial, luxurious look and offers better protection. Think of it as adding another layer of security!
• Color and Texture: The mat board’s color and texture should complement, not compete with, your artwork. A neutral color (white, off-white, gray) is often a safe bet, but don’t be afraid to experiment with subtle colors that enhance the artwork’s palette.

Window/Opening: A Perfectly Tailored View

The window is simply the cut-out in the mat board through which your art is viewed. Accuracy is paramount here to give a professional look!

• Sizing: Determining the right window size is key! You want to reveal enough of the artwork to showcase its beauty while ensuring it’s securely held behind the mat.
• Measurements: Measure twice, cut once! This old adage is especially true when cutting mat boards. Precise measurements are essential for a clean, professional-looking window.

Borders/Margins: The Stage for Your Star

The margins are the visible area of the mat board surrounding the artwork. These impact the entire balance of the framed piece.

• Margin Ratios: Equal margins are a classic choice, but a slightly wider bottom margin is a common trick used by framers to create a sense of visual stability.
• Protection: Margins create space to protect the art from pressing against the glazing and reduce moisture.

Backing Board: The Unsung Hero

This board sits behind your artwork, providing support and preventing warping. It’s the strong, silent type.

• Acid-Free: Again, acid-free is the name of the game! Opt for acid-free foam core or archival cardboard.
• Support: The backing board provides a stable foundation for your artwork, preventing it from bending or sagging over time.

Glazing: Shielding the Treasure

The glazing (glass or acrylic) acts as a protective shield, guarding your artwork from dust, dirt, and harmful UV rays.

• Glass vs. Acrylic:
  • Glass: Offers superior clarity and is more scratch-resistant, but is heavier and can shatter.
  • Acrylic: Lightweight and shatter-resistant, making it a good choice for large frames or homes with children, but can scratch more easily and may have slight distortion.
• UV Protection: UV-protective glazing is a must for preserving artwork from fading, especially if it’s displayed in a brightly lit room.

Frame: The Crowning Touch

The frame is the final flourish, the element that ties everything together and complements both the artwork and the surrounding décor.

• Materials: Frames come in a variety of materials, including wood, metal, and plastic. Wood frames offer a classic, warm look, while metal frames provide a sleek, modern aesthetic.
• Styles: From ornate, traditional frames to minimalist, modern designs, the style of the frame should harmonize with the artwork and your personal taste.

Adhesive: A Gentle Bond

When mounting your artwork, choose your adhesive wisely! Avoid harsh glues or tapes that can damage the paper.

• Archival: Opt for archival tapes and corners specifically designed for mounting artwork. These adhesives are acid-free and won’t yellow or degrade over time.

Tools of the Trade: The Right Instruments for the Job

While we’ll delve deeper into tools later, here’s a quick peek at some essentials:

• Mat Cutter: For creating clean, precise cuts in mat board.
• Ruler/T-Square: For accurate measurements and straight lines.
• Pencil: For marking measurements (use a soft lead to avoid damaging the mat board).

With these materials in your arsenal, you’re well on your way to creating beautifully matted and framed artwork that will be enjoyed for generations to come!

Essential Concepts: Archival Quality, Bevels, and More

Matting and framing isn’t just slapping some cardboard and glass around your beloved artwork; it’s an art form in itself! To truly elevate your presentation and ensure your masterpiece lasts, let’s dive into some essential concepts that separate the amateurs from the pros.

Archival Quality: The Key to Longevity

Imagine carefully preserving a precious family photo, only to find it yellowed and brittle in a few years. Nightmare scenario, right? That’s where archival quality comes in! We’re talking about using acid-free materials like mat boards, backing boards, and mounting tapes. Why? Because acids lurking in cheaper materials can slowly eat away at your artwork, causing discoloration and deterioration. Think of it as providing your art with a healthy, acid-free diet!

Archival Mounting Techniques

Beyond the materials, how you attach your artwork matters, too. Archival mounting prioritizes methods that don’t damage the art. Avoid permanent glues or aggressive tapes that can’t be reversed. Instead, opt for archival-quality photo corners, linen tape hinges (applied to the backing board), or even acid-free paper or Japanese paper hinges with wheat paste (for delicate pieces).

Bevel: Adding a Professional Touch

Ever noticed how professionally framed artwork has that snazzy angled cut on the inside edge of the mat? That’s a bevel, my friend, and it’s a game-changer! It’s creates a subtle shadow line that draws the eye inward and adds a touch of sophistication.

Creating a Clean, Professional-Looking Bevel Edge

The secret to a great bevel is a sharp blade and a steady hand (or a quality mat cutter!). Precision is key. You want a clean, consistent angle all the way around. With the right tool, you can achieve those pristine bevels.

Double Mat: Depth and Interest

Want to take your framing game to the next level? Enter the double mat! It’s simply using two layers of mat board, one on top of the other, with a sliver of the bottom mat peeking out.

Selecting Complementary Colors for a Double Mat

The key is choosing colors that complement both the artwork and each other. A classic combo is a neutral top mat with a pop of color underneath. You can use two contrasting colors to make artwork stand out.

Mounting: Securing Your Art

Now, how do you actually get your artwork to stay put? As we touched on earlier, the mounting technique depends on the type of artwork and its value. For valuable pieces, reversibility is crucial. You want to be able to remove the artwork without causing any damage.

Different Mounting Techniques

Photo corners are great for photos and prints. Linen tape hinges work well for heavier pieces. Avoid gluing artwork directly to the backing board, especially for valuable items!

Conservation: Protecting Your Investment

So, you’ve got your artwork beautifully matted and framed. Now what? Well, it’s time to think about conservation. Your artwork might now be framed but that does not make it immune to outside factors. Think of it as providing ongoing care to keep your piece in tip-top shape.

Minimizing Potential Damage

Light, humidity, and temperature are the big baddies. UV light causes fading, so consider UV-protective glazing and avoid direct sunlight. Humidity can lead to mold and mildew, so keep your artwork in a dry, stable environment. Extremes in temperature can also damage artwork, so avoid hanging it near heat sources or in uninsulated areas.

The Matting and Framing Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Alright, ready to roll up your sleeves and get your hands a little crafty? Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of matting and framing your artwork. This is where the magic happens, transforming a simple piece into a gallery-worthy display. Don’t worry, we’ll take it slow and steady.

Measuring the Artwork: Precision is Key

Okay, folks, this isn’t a ‘close enough’ situation! Accuracy is your best friend here. Grab a ruler (a metal one is your friend), and measure your artwork’s height and width with laser-like focus. Jot these measurements down. Twice! We want to avoid any ‘oops, I cut it too small’ moments later on. These measurements are the foundation for everything else, so don’t skimp on the details. Consider the entire visible artwork area. If the artwork isn’t perfectly rectangular, measure the widest and tallest points to ensure everything is included.

Cutting the Mat Board: Achieving Perfect Lines

Time to put on your ‘architect’ hat. This is where the magic happens.

• Gear Up: You’ll need a mat cutter (a Logan or similar brand is great), a reliable ruler or T-square (the longer, the better for straight lines), a sharp blade (replace them often!), and of course, your mat board. Safety first! Always use a cutting mat.
• Sizing It Up: Figure out how wide you want your mat border to be around the artwork. Standard widths range from 2 to 4 inches, but it’s really up to your artistic eye. Take the artwork measurements, add the desired border width twice (top and bottom, left and right), and that’s your final mat board size.
• Window to the Soul: Calculating the window opening is simple. Just use your initial artwork measurements, but subtract 1/8″ to 1/4″ from each side. This ensures the mat board slightly overlaps the artwork, holding it securely in place and preventing it from slipping behind the opening.
• Cutting Time!: Place the mat board on your cutting mat. Align your ruler or T-square precisely along your measured lines. Using your mat cutter, apply firm, consistent pressure, and score through the mat board in a single, smooth motion. Remember that slow and steady win this race.
• The Bevel: Ah, the professional touch! Most mat cutters have an adjustable blade for bevel cuts. Adjust the blade to 45 degrees, position your mat board, and carefully cut the bevel edge along the inside of your window opening. A clean, crisp bevel makes all the difference.

Assembling the Components: Putting It All Together

Almost there! Now for the grand finale.

• Mounting the Art: Place your artwork face down on a clean surface. Using archival tape or mounting corners (these are acid-free and won’t damage your art), carefully attach the artwork to the acid-free backing board. Make sure it’s centered and straight. Only use archival adhesives. Regular tape will damage your artwork over time, and nobody wants that.
• The Glazing Sandwich: Gently clean your glazing (glass or acrylic) with a lint-free cloth. Place it on top of the matted artwork, ensuring it’s properly aligned. The order is backing board, artwork, mat board, and glazing from bottom to top.
• Frame It Up: Carefully slide the entire assembly into your chosen frame. Some frames have flexible tabs that you bend to secure the backing, while others use small nails or screws. Make sure everything is snug and secure.
• Finishing Touches: Seal the back of the frame with archival tape to prevent dust and insects from entering. Attach your hanging hardware (D-rings and wire) according to the frame’s instructions. And voilà! You’ve got a beautifully matted and framed masterpiece, ready to grace your walls. Be sure to pick the right hardware for the frame.

*Extra tip: A framer’s point driver makes securing the backing board to your frame a breeze. If you frame often, it is a solid investment. *

Okay, now stand back and admire your handiwork! You’ve successfully navigated the matting and framing process. Time to celebrate with a well-deserved beverage!

Design Considerations: Creating a Visually Appealing Presentation

• So, you’ve got your art, your materials, and your DIY spirit ready to go. But before you start cutting and gluing, let’s talk about making your framed piece look like it belongs in a gallery, not just stuck on your fridge with a magnet. We’re diving into design – the secret sauce that elevates a simple frame into a stunning presentation.

Design Principles: Harmony and Balance

• Ever walked into a room and felt like something was just off? Chances are, the design principles were out of whack. In matting and framing, harmony and balance are your best friends.
  • Proportion is all about the relationship between the size of your artwork, the mat, and the frame. Think Goldilocks: not too much mat, not too little, but just right. A wider mat can give a small piece of art more presence, while a thin mat can make a large piece feel more intimate.
  • Balance comes in two flavors: symmetrical and asymmetrical. Symmetrical designs (equal margins on all sides) feel formal and classic. Asymmetrical designs (like a wider bottom margin) are more modern and can create a sense of movement.
  • Don’t forget symmetry; a central piece of artwork helps focus. The frame helps to contain and give emphasis to the artwork.

Color and Texture: Enhancing the Art

• Here’s where things get really fun. Color and texture can make or break a framing job. The goal is to enhance, not distract.

  • If your artwork is bursting with color, consider a neutral mat and frame. Think soft white, creamy beige, or even a subtle gray. Let the art do the talking!
  • But if your piece is more monochromatic, a pop of color in the mat can add some oomph. Just be careful not to clash – grab some color swatches and hold them up to your artwork before committing.
  • And don’t underestimate the power of texture. A linen mat can add a touch of elegance, while a rustic wood frame can give your piece a warm, earthy vibe.

• Ultimately, the best design choices are the ones that make your artwork shine. Don’t be afraid to experiment, break the rules (a little!), and trust your eye. After all, it’s your masterpiece!

Special Considerations: Elevating Your Framing Game

Okay, so you’re getting serious about framing. You’ve mastered the basics (or at least skimmed the previous sections, no judgment!), and now you’re ready to tackle some of the trickier stuff. Let’s dive into museum standards, the DIY dilemma, and the magic of custom framing. It’s like leveling up in a video game, but instead of slaying dragons, you’re slaying bad framing jobs.

Museum Standards: Treat Your Art Like a Priceless Artifact

Think of your artwork as a VIP, a celebrity, a historical treasure. (Okay, maybe not everything, but you get the idea!) Museum standards are all about giving your art the white-glove treatment to ensure it lasts for generations.

• Archival Materials: The Foundation of Preservation
  • We’re talking 100% acid-free everything. Mat boards, backing boards, even the adhesive. Acid is the enemy, slowly eating away at your precious artwork like a tiny, invisible monster. Using acid-free materials prevents yellowing, brittleness, and other nasty degradation issues. Think of it as a spa day for your art.
• UV Protection: Sunscreen for Your Masterpiece
  • Sunlight is great for picnics, not so great for artwork. UV rays are sneaky little devils that can cause fading and discoloration. Invest in UV-protective glazing (glass or acrylic) to shield your art from harmful rays. It’s like SPF 50 for your favorite print.
• Proper Sealing: Keeping the Bad Stuff Out
  • Dust, pollutants, and even insects can wreak havoc on artwork over time. Proper sealing helps create a microclimate within the frame, protecting your art from environmental nasties. Think of it as a protective bubble for your art.

DIY vs. Professional Framing: The Ultimate Showdown

Ah, the age-old question: Should you tackle the framing yourself, or hand it over to a pro? It’s a battle of cost versus quality, skill versus speed. Let’s break it down:

• DIY Framing: The Pros
  • Cost-Effective: This is the big one. DIY framing can save you a significant amount of money, especially if you have multiple pieces to frame.
  • Creative Control: You get to call all the shots, from mat color to frame style. It’s your vision, brought to life.
  • Sense of Accomplishment: There’s something deeply satisfying about framing your own artwork. It’s like saying, “I made this… and I framed it!”
• DIY Framing: The Cons
  • Skill Required: Cutting mats and glass requires precision and a steady hand. Mistakes can be costly (and frustrating).
  • Time Commitment: Framing can be time-consuming, especially if you’re a perfectionist (like most artists!).
  • Quality Limitations: Achieving truly professional results requires specialized equipment and expertise.
• Professional Framing: The Pros
  • Expertise and Experience: Professional framers know their stuff. They can advise you on the best materials and techniques for your artwork.
  • High-Quality Results: With the right tools and skills, professional framers can deliver flawless results.
  • Convenience: Simply drop off your artwork and let the pros handle the rest. It’s a great option for busy people.
• Professional Framing: The Cons
  • Higher Cost: Professional framing can be significantly more expensive than DIY framing.
  • Less Creative Control: You’ll need to trust the framer to execute your vision.

Custom Framing: The Perfect Fit for Your Art

Sometimes, off-the-shelf frames just don’t cut it. That’s where custom framing comes in. It’s like getting a tailored suit for your artwork, ensuring a perfect fit and a stunning presentation.

• Unique Artwork Deserves Unique Framing: If you have an oddly sized piece, a valuable artwork, or simply a specific vision in mind, custom framing is the way to go.
• Working with a Professional Framer:
  • Consultation: Discuss your artwork, your style preferences, and your budget with the framer.
  • Material Selection: Choose from a wide range of frame materials, mat board colors, and glazing options.
  • Design Collaboration: Work with the framer to create a custom design that complements your artwork and your décor.
  • Precise Execution: The framer will then create a frame that is specifically tailored to your artwork, ensuring a perfect fit and a professional finish.
• The Investment is Worth It: Custom framing can be more expensive, but the results are often well worth the investment, especially for valuable or sentimental pieces.

So, there you have it – a deeper dive into the world of special framing considerations. Whether you’re aiming for museum-quality preservation, weighing the DIY option, or exploring the world of custom frames, the key is to make informed decisions that protect and enhance your artwork for years to come.

So, there you have it! Matting your own artwork might seem a little daunting at first, but with a little practice (and maybe a few extra mats!), you’ll be showcasing your creations like a pro in no time. Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with it – happy matting!