Tips on Framing - page 1

For many of us, the cost of having framing done by others, is more costly than the original cost of the artwork or prints. Sectional frames are going up in price, but are still the least expensive way to frame. There are several things about framing in glass that ought to be considered. 1) Use matte board. 2) Allow a nice distance from the frame to the matte window. 3) Buy your glass from a hardware store or other home or commercial glass shop. The only exception here is that you may get a good deal on frame and glass combination sets at art store special sales. There is more, but I'll cover that at each step.

Tip 1 - Size 1

As a general rule, I would not frame anything with less than a 3 inch matte margin around the artwork, no matter how small the artwork is. This is where many people make an error. And, if you are framing larger like artwork of 24 x 30 inches you should have 6 inch margin all the way around. The trouble with that is that it gives a matte size of 36 x 42 inches, and standard matte board size is 32 x 40 inches. So, we must keep that in mind. Tip 1. Subtract 1/2 inch from the length and width of your artwork. This allows for 1/4 inch overlap behind the matte window. Write those numbers on a notepad. Then double your matte margin inches that you have decided on, and add that to the length and width numbers on your notepad. This becomes the general minimum size of your finished frame. Almost.

Tip 2 - Size 2

Tip 2. Beginning with the length and width of the previous step/tip, this may or may not be exactly whole inches numbers. So, round these numbers up to the nearest whole inch. This should be the size of sectionals to buy.

Tip 3 - Size 3

Tip 3. When looking at sectional lengths, there may not be the exact length and width available. Purchase the closest size "longer" not shorter. They come in pair's so that you only need one package for width and one package for length. There are black, gold, silver, bronze and different faces of the edge. You decide what you want. This now, is your finished frame size. It has to be now because you've bought these sectional sizes.

Tip 4 - Cutting the matte board

Choose your matte board color and type of matted finish and buy it. It will be 32 x 40 inches. Some may be intimidated by this, but it is not difficult. You do need three things: matte knife, aluminum yard stick, plywood board [large enough to cut on]. Tip 4. Measure the length and width of the finished frame size. Do not worry about the dimensions fitting your sectionals. Those lengths are the lengths that will fit what you cut. You do not have draw a line on the matte, just mark two marks, at top and bottom of matte. This is where you will place your aluminum ruler. You do need to use enough pressure on the ruler so it does not move. This tip is, do not try to go through the matte board in one cut. Use enough knife pressure, as you draw towards yourself, to score the matte. Keep the ruler in place and score two or three times until you are through. Repeat this step for the other dimension, length or width. [If all of this is the 1st time, Practice first on the edge of the matte, by cutting through and making a thin strip which you can toss.]