How to Frame a Picture/Printable version
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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
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).
- Decide how much of the picture you want to show (add to, or take away from the art size) = WINDOW SIZE.
- 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.
- Therefore MOUNT HEIGHT = rebate allowance + top margin + window height + bottom margin + rebate allowance.
- Therefore MOUNT WIDTH = rebate allowance + right margin + window width + left margin + rebate allowance.
- 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.
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.