How to Mat & Frame a Photograph

Matting and framing your photos transforms them from snapshots to art pieces.

Framing and matting a photograph is a fantastic way to add a sleek, professional look to your artwork. Having a photograph custom framed, however, can be quite pricey. To save money, yet maintain professional quality, try cutting your own mat. With the right tools and a bit of practice, you'll be able to custom frame all of your favorite photographs.

Things You'll Need

• Ruler
• Pencil
• Utility Knife
• Masking Tape
• Photograph
• Matting Board
• Frame

Instructions

Matting your Photo

1. Cut your mat board to fit your frame. Take the measurements of the interior of the frame and draw these dimensions onto the back of the mat board. Place the mat board on a cutting board, use a straight edge to guide your craft knife as you cut carefully cut along the lines.

2. Measure the length and width of your photograph.

3. Determine the amount of the photograph you would like to show through the mat window. The mat can crop the photograph by slightly covering it, or the mat can leave a blank border around the photograph. Thus, if your photograph is 4 by 6 inches, the dimensions of your window might be 3.5 by 5.5 inches for a crop or 4.5 by 6.5 inches for a blank border.

4. Draw your determined dimensions onto the back of the mat board and cut the window.

Framing Your Matted Photo

1. With the mat laying face down, center your photograph in the window and secure the edges to the mat with artists' or masking tape. If you've cut a window for a blank border around your photo, you will need to secure your photograph onto stiff colored, acid free paper cut slightly larger than the photo and tape that to the mat.

2. Place the matted photo into your frame.

3. Replace and secure the back of the frame, and you're ready to display.

Tips & Warnings

• 1. Consider buying a mat cutter, which will allow you to add a beveled edge to your mats.

• 2. When making cuts using craft knives, you can place a kitchen cutting board or thick cardboard underneath the work to prevent damaging table or counter surfaces.

• Always cut away from your body with a craft knife.