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Good picture framing does more than make artwork look finished: it helps protect the work, makes it easier to display and shapes how it is seen. For prints, photographs, drawings and similar works on paper, the essential rules are to keep the art off the glazing, choose materials that suit the medium, mount it with as little direct attachment as practical, and fit the whole package without bending or crushing it.
What to consider before framing
Start with the object, not the frame. Identify the medium and condition, and note whether the surface is powdery or friable, the sheet is warped or fragile, or edges and inscriptions need to remain visible. Consider the work’s dimensions, value, how often it will be displayed and how much border you want to show. The Library of Congress recommends deciding on the support, thickness, mounting method and aesthetic treatment before making a mat (Library of Congress matting guidance).
DIY framing may be reasonable for a stable, ordinary print. A valuable, fragile, distorted or unusual object deserves professional advice. Works on parchment, vellum, papyrus, palm leaves or birch bark can require specialized handling; framing guidance for paper should not be assumed to apply to textiles, paintings or three-dimensional objects. The Canadian Conservation Institute describes framing as a way to protect a work, display it more easily and enhance its appearance (CCI Notes 11/9: Framing Works of Art on Paper).
Measure the artwork and frame
Measure the work and plan the window
Measure the artwork in several places in both directions; sheets are not always perfectly square or uniform. Decide what the mat window should reveal: the image alone, a blank border, the full sheet, text or inscriptions. Consider whether the mat window will overlap the paper edge or leave it visible. Make a mock layout and check the window position against the work before mounting anything.
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- For 8 x 10" Pictures: Photo mats 11x14 for 8x10 inch; outer size 11 x 14 inch, inner size 7.5 x 9.5 inch; our picture frame mats are suitable for 8 x 10 inch pictures
- Acid Free: Thanks to acid free and white core, these picture frame mats will stay bright white as overtime; they will not become yellow or damage you photos or artwork
- Bevel Cut: The inner cut of picture frame mat has a 45° bevel, and the cut is clean; the core bevel cut increases the depth and white space of your artwork
- Wide Application: Great decoration for framing all your pictures, photos, prints, watercolors and artworks; the white picture mats go well with artworks
- Picture Mats Package: You will receive 10 pack white picture frame mats, 4-ply thick, not warped or curved; these photo frame mats give pictures extra tweak and make them look professional
Check the frame’s rabbet
The rabbet is the recessed channel at the back of the frame that holds the glazing and the rest of the package. Measure its width and depth, then account for the combined thickness of glazing, mat, backing and any spacers. CCI gives about 2 cm as a combined depth for a mat, backing board and glazing in its paper-framing guidance; this is a reference, not a universal specification, because component thicknesses vary. The package should fit securely without force. If it bows the mat or compresses the artwork, use a deeper frame or change the package.
Choose matting and backing materials
For preservation framing, the Library of Congress describes mat board made from 100% cotton rag or chemically purified, lignin-free wood pulp, with a neutral or slightly alkaline pH; its recommended package generally uses board at least 4-ply thick. It also recommends suitable acid-free, lignin-free backing or appropriate corrugated plastic, and a moisture barrier where needed (Library of Congress matting guidance). These are collection-care recommendations, not a guarantee that one material suits every object.
Rank #2
- Package Includes: Somime backing boards come with 10pcs uncut mat boards and a sufficient quantity can meet your daily use and replacement demands. They can be used as a part of a frame and mat for extra protection from deterioration. And the whole set is well packaged in a box to prevent shipping damage.
- Durable Support Boards: Somime backing boards are made of a thick and durable cardboard material that won't bend or break easily. Internal 4-ply thickness(about 1/16 inch) sheets ensure stability. You can combine it with photo mats and clear bags for a better display of your artwork and prints.
- Optional Size: Somime photo mat boards measure 11x14, suitable for 11x14 frames. These backing boards can be cut into your desired size and shape to decorate for birthday parties, family gatherings, and weddings. What's more, various sizes are available.
- Acid-free Quality: Acid-free matte boards can save your precious memories with photos, perfect for framing photographs and artworks with double-sided tape. A flat and smooth surface is also suitable for small object classification and keeping them in a bag for storage.
- Multiple Uses: Somime backer board can be used as a photo backing, picture frame, drafting, or display board, which is great for crafts that require strong back support. White cardboard on both sides can be made for signatures, unique patterns, and other DIY projects for decoration.
Photographs need particular material compatibility. The Library of Congress recommends a Photographic Activity Test (PAT) for materials that come into direct contact with a photograph (Library of Congress care of photographs). Do not rely on labels such as “museum board,” “conservation board” or “archival” by themselves. MoMA cautions that such labels do not prove the highest quality, and that alkaline-buffered board may not suit photographs while wood-pulp boards can contribute to matburn (MoMA conservation guidance on works on paper).
Keep the artwork safely mounted
Use a method appropriate to the work that avoids unnecessary attachment to its surface. Depending on the object, options include photo corners, polyethylene straps, mounting strips, edge strips or channels, polyester half-moons and polyester sheeting. For some works on paper, Japanese tissue hinges with refined wheat-starch paste may be suitable (Library of Congress matting guidance; Library of Congress preservation tools).
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Rank #3
- Package Includes: Somime backing boards come with 10pcs uncut mat boards and a sufficient quantity can meet your daily use and replacement demands. They can be used as a part of a frame and mat for extra protection from deterioration. And the whole set is well packaged in a box to prevent shipping damage
- Durable Backing Boards: Somime backing boards are made of thick and durable cardboard material that won't bend or break easily. Internal 4-ply thickness sheets ensure stability. You can combine it with photo mats and clear bags for a better display of your artwork and prints
- Optional Size: Somime photo mat boards measure 18x24, suitable for 18x24 frames. These backing boards can be cut into your desired size and shape to decorate for birthday parties, family gatherings, and weddings. What's more, various sizes are available in this listing
- Acid-free Quality: Acid-free matte boards can well save your precious memories with photos, perfect for framing photographs and artworks with double-sided tape. A flat and smooth surface is also suitable for small object classification and keeping them in a bag for storage
- Multiple Uses: Somime backer board can be used as a photo backing, picture frame, drafting, or display board, which is great for crafts that require strong back support. White cardboard on both sides with can be made for signatures, unique patterns, and other DIY projects for decoration
Adhesives are not interchangeable. MoMA advises against pressure-sensitive and pre-gummed tapes for hinging works on paper. Never assume that tape described as “archival” is safe to attach directly to art. Keep tape used to join parts of the mat package away from the artwork, and use photographic materials that meet compatibility requirements when framing a photograph.
Choose glazing: glass or acrylic
Use a window mat or suitable spacers to keep glazing from touching the artwork. Contact can damage the surface, and a mat also gives the work breathing room within the frame. Choose glazing for the object’s size, surface and handling needs:
Rank #4
- Package Contents: Pack of 10 11x14 mixed color mat boards/matboards for various crafting and framing projects
- Size: Each matboard measures 11x14 inches and works perfectly as picture frame backing board to keep photos in good condition during daily display
- Durable Matt Boards: Standard 4-ply thickness (about 1/16 inch) cardboard ensure stability, providing strong back support for various crafts
- Assorted Colors: This pack includes 10 matboards in a range of vibrant colors, as shown in the images. The combination of various colors adds a creative element to your art
- Customizable and Uncut: The mat boards come uncut, allowing you the freedom to trim them to your desired size and shape. This flexibility enables you to create unique and personalized projects
| Option | Advantages | Trade-offs and considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Glass | More rigid than acrylic and less prone to scratching. | Heavier and more brittle; handle carefully, particularly in larger frames. |
| Acrylic | Lighter and less brittle than glass. | Scratches more easily and may bow in larger sizes. Static can be a concern for powdery media. |
| Anti-static acrylic | Designed to reduce static concerns for media such as pastel, charcoal or graphite. | Still needs to be kept clear of the artwork; choose it for the medium and package, not as a substitute for a spacer. |
UV-filtering glass or acrylic reduces ultraviolet exposure, but it does not stop all light damage: visible light also harms paper. Limit display exposure, and consider displaying a reproduction while keeping a valuable original stored safely. See the Library of Congress paper-care guidance and CCI’s matting guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Assemble the frame without forcing the package
- Inspect and identify the work. If it is fragile, friable, valuable, distorted or made from an unusual support, get professional advice before mounting.
- Measure and plan. Check the sheet in several places, decide what the window should reveal and select a suitable mounting method.
- Cut and test the package. Cut the mat and backing to fit the frame. Position the work on the back mat, mark its placement and check the window alignment before attaching it. A Florida Department of State procedure also recommends checking the fit before attaching the art (Florida Department of State matting and framing procedure).
- Mount the work. Use an appropriate corner, strip or hinge method. Keep adhesives and package-joining tape away from the image and do not force the work into alignment.
- Close the frame. Arrange glazing, mat package and backing so the art remains separated from the glazing. Secure the package with appropriate frame pins, brads or hardware rather than tape. A wooden frame may need a barrier layer to limit acid migration from the wood. Attach hanging wire or hardware to the frame itself, not just to the backing.
Avoid sandwiching a work directly between glazing and a board with exposed edges. CCI notes that this arrangement gives little protection from dust and atmospheric pollution and places unnecessary pressure on the object. The finished components should fit snugly but not tightly.
Best Value
- Note: This photo mat is black on one side and white on the other side. The white one may be on the outermost layer when you receive it! After opening it, you will find the other side is black!
- 11x14 Black Picture Mats for 8 x 10 Photos: 15 pack black picture mats, the outer frame size of the photo frame mat is 11*14 inch / 279*335 mm, and the inner frame size is 7.5*9.5 inch / 191*241 mm, black picture mats 11*14, suitable for 8*10 photos.
- 1.2 mm Thickness: With a thickness of 1.2mm, the photo frame mat is thicker and stronger than its counterparts on the market, and the core beveled pad provides a sturdy border around your photo or artwork, your photos will be protected for a long time.
- Photo Frame Decoration: It can display your favorite photos watercolor and crafts, it not only prevents them from coming into direct contact with the photo frame, plays a good protective role, but also adds beauty to the photos, it is an ideal choice for you to decorate photo frames and photos.
- Widely Usage: Photo mats are very suitable for decorative art photos, landscape photos, pet photos, life photos, watercolor, etc., adding a three-dimensional effect, more commemorative, you can hang them in schools, offices, exhibition rooms, galleries, etc.
Hang the framed work thoughtfully
- Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from intense light where possible.
- Avoid fireplaces, radiators and air vents, which can expose the work to heat or moving air.
- Choose a location away from damp, unstable conditions and likely water exposure.
- Limit the time a light-sensitive original is on display; glazing with UV filtering does not remove the risk from visible light.
Tools for a DIY mat
Library of Congress matting guidance lists tools such as a mat cutter, cutting mat, ruler, scalpel or scissors, bone or Teflon folder, weights, brushes and blotter among supplies used in matting and hinging. If you are new to cutting windows, practice on scrap board and follow the cutter maker’s directions. A clean, accurate cut matters, but a tool cannot make an unsuitable material or mounting method safe.
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