How to Center a Picture Mat

Photographs remind us of good times and fun times throughout our life, so much that we want to frame them forever using a picture mat. An important process for framing a photograph on a mat is centering the picture mat for the photograph, as outlined in the following steps.

Things You'll Need

• Ruler
• Pencil
• Mat

Instructions

1. Decide which picture you want to mount on the mat.

2. Choose the color of your mat. A neutral color is highly recommended, but if there is one color that stands out in the photo or a color that would be perfect in the room where you are displaying the photo, you can consider special colors.

3. Avoid measuring the center equal. It is more effective to have the bottom mat border wider than your top border. A visual weight is present, which makes the bottom border appear smaller. Compensate by optical illusion and permit the image to rise up a bit, one to two inches.

4. Keep the sides equal, but matching the top or bottom is not important. The overall dimensions for print and mat are: 8x10: 14x17; 11x14: 16x20; 16x20: 22x28.
   Keep in mind that the top should be 45 percent of total vertical mat dimension while the bottom should be 55 percent of total vertical mat dimension. Adjust or change the dimensions as you see fit. After all, it's the look you want.

Tips & Warnings

• For aesthetic purposes, the dimensions of the matting relates to the print and the content of the image. Of course, all is based on a personal preference, so that you go with whatever looks just right.

• Have fun centering a picture mat. Be creative. You don't always have to follow the rules. For example, off-center the mat for an artistic effect.