How to Mat and Frame a Paper Collage
Whether you've created a paper collage out of decorative paper scraps, meaningful vacation memorabilia or tidbits trimmed from old greeting cards and love notes, frame the artwork for display in your home. Accentuate the collage with a photo mat---a border cut from card stock or mat board to complement the artwork---before placing it inside the frame. Use the proper selection and sizing techniques to showcase the matted and framed collage on a wall, shelf or nightstand. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Paper collage
- Ruler
- Picture frame
- Pencil
- Mat board, card stock or patterned paper
- Paper trimmer or craft knife
- Pen, paintbrush and paint or rubber stamps and ink
- Photo tabs or tape
- Screwdriver
Instructions
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Measure the height and width of the paper collage with a ruler. Use the ruler to check the size of the space where you plan to showcase the collage to determine the size of the frame you can use.
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2
Calculate the dimensions of the mat by measuring the height and width inside the frame with a ruler. Use a pencil to mark cutting guidelines on a piece of mat board, card stock or patterned paper that complements the collage. Cut the mat to size with a paper trimmer or craft knife.
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Create the "window" in the mat to reveal the decorative paper collage by placing the card stock or mat board face down on the work surface and positioning the artwork in the desired spot on top of the mat. Lightly trace the collage with a pencil. Use a paper trimmer or craft knife to cut along the pencil-drawn guidelines.
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Leave the mat "as is" or embellish it to personalize the project. Add your signature in the bottom-right corner, use a dry paintbrush to create an artistic swish of colorful paint across the bottom or use alphabet rubber stamps to add a dedication or caption directly under the collage.
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Affix the paper collage behind the mat with photo tabs sold at scrap booking and craft stores or with snippets of tape.
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Remove the particle board backing from the frame by using a screwdriver to lift or push the metal tabs aside along the frame. Place the matted collage inside the frame, reposition the backing and return the metal tabs to their original positions.
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Tips & Warnings
Choose a frame for the artwork that coordinates with the colors and tone of the collage and the style of the surrounding room decor. Select a plain wood frame rather than an ornate design to keep the focus on the collage.
If you'd rather not measure and cut the mat board to create an opening to display the paper collage project, simply affix the artwork on top of the mat with double-stick tape.
When you plan to create, mat and frame multiple projects, consider buying a mat cutting tool to use in conjunction with a craft knife and T-square ruler. The tool will create "beveled" mat edges cut at an angle to show the white core of the mat board and give the framed paper collage a professional look.
