How to Mat a Picture for Framing

Presentation is crucial when submitting artwork to a gallery or educational institution. For this reason, many art programs require photographers to mat their pictures before submitting them in a portfolio. Even if submission guidelines don't require matting, many professional and aspiring photographers opt to use mat board to present, protect and archive their work. Mat board is a common art supply found in most art, photography and frame stores.

Instructions

1

Measure the rabbet (the inset edge on the back) of the picture frame or trace the picture frame backing on a piece of mat board. Use a mat cutter and mat guide or a straight edge and utility knife to cut two or three pieces of mat board to fit the rabbet size. One will be the back mat, and the other two will be the inner and outer frames.

2

Center the picture on the back mat. Use a pencil to mark the position of the corners. Never write on the actual artwork; only write on the mat board.

3

Take measurements for the frame: measure in from each edge of the back mat and continue measuring past the edge of the artwork 1/4 inch or more on each side. If you'd like a larger frame, measure in more than 1/4 inch. Some photographers make the frame a little wider on the bottom edge.

4

Measure and mark a second piece of mat board to make the inner frame. Cut a window out of the mat board with a mat guide and bevel cutter or utility knife and straight edge. A bevel cutter is preferable, since it will cut the mat board at a slight angle and frames the photo more nicely.

5

Measure and mark a third piece of mat board to make an optional outer frame. Each side of the outer mat should be at least 1/4 inch longer than the sides of the inner frame. Cut the mat board with a mat guide and bevel cutter or utility knife and straight edge.

6

Place the inner mat over the picture on the back mat, and center the outer frame over the inner frame. If you cut the frames with a bevel cutter, place the frames with the angled-side up. If satisfied with the presentation, move to the next step. If unsatisfied, trim the frames for a better fit or start over with a new piece of mat board.

7

Attach two photo corners to the back mat where you marked the top corner positions earlier. Slide the top two corners of the picture into the photo corners. Slide the bottom two corners of the picture into two more photo corners, and press them down on the back mat to hold them in place.

8

Attach the top edge of the inner mat frame to the back mat with two linen tape "hinges." Don't let the tape touch the artwork.

9

Place the outer mat frame into the picture frame. Place the inner frame, picture and back mat into the picture frame together. Replace the frame backing. Your matted picture is now ready for presentation.

---

Presentation is crucial when submitting artwork to a gallery or educational institution. For this reason, many art programs require photographers to mat their pictures before submitting them in a portfolio. Even if submission guidelines don't require matting, many professional and aspiring photographers opt to use mat board to present, protect and archive their work. Mat board is a common art supply found in most art, photography and frame stores.

Instructions

1

Measure the rabbet (the inset edge on the back) of the picture frame or trace the picture frame backing on a piece of mat board. Use a mat cutter and mat guide or a straight edge and utility knife to cut two or three pieces of mat board to fit the rabbet size. One will be the back mat, and the other two will be the inner and outer frames.

2

Center the picture on the back mat. Use a pencil to mark the position of the corners. Never write on the actual artwork; only write on the mat board.

3

Take measurements for the frame: measure in from each edge of the back mat and continue measuring past the edge of the artwork 1/4 inch or more on each side. If you'd like a larger frame, measure in more than 1/4 inch. Some photographers make the frame a little wider on the bottom edge.

4

Measure and mark a second piece of mat board to make the inner frame. Cut a window out of the mat board with a mat guide and bevel cutter or utility knife and straight edge. A bevel cutter is preferable, since it will cut the mat board at a slight angle and frames the photo more nicely.

5

Measure and mark a third piece of mat board to make an optional outer frame. Each side of the outer mat should be at least 1/4 inch longer than the sides of the inner frame. Cut the mat board with a mat guide and bevel cutter or utility knife and straight edge.

6

Place the inner mat over the picture on the back mat, and center the outer frame over the inner frame. If you cut the frames with a bevel cutter, place the frames with the angled-side up. If satisfied with the presentation, move to the next step. If unsatisfied, trim the frames for a better fit or start over with a new piece of mat board.

7

Attach two photo corners to the back mat where you marked the top corner positions earlier. Slide the top two corners of the picture into the photo corners. Slide the bottom two corners of the picture into two more photo corners, and press them down on the back mat to hold them in place.

8

Attach the top edge of the inner mat frame to the back mat with two linen tape "hinges." Don't let the tape touch the artwork.

9

Place the outer mat frame into the picture frame. Place the inner frame, picture and back mat into the picture frame together. Replace the frame backing. Your matted picture is now ready for presentation.

---

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