How to Mount a Painting to a Mat Board for Framing
Protect paintings that are not on canvas, such as watercolors or acrylics on paper, and make them presentable by "floating" them in picture frames. Floating is the process of mounting a work of art to a mat board for framing without using a framing mat board with a cut opening on top. Not using a cover mat allows the artwork to look more open and for the natural edges of the paper to be visible. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Metal ruler
- Archival, acid-free, gummed framing tape
- Scissors
- Bone folder
- Artist's paintbrush
Instructions
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1
Center the painting on the mat board. Check the measurements of the spaces between the edges of the painting and the edges of the mat board with a metal ruler to ensure they are even and equal. Lightly mark the top corners of the painting with a pencil.
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2
Turn the painting over. Measure 1/3 of the way in from each side and 1/2 inch down from the top and make two marks to indicate placements of the mounting tape.
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3
Cut four 2-inch long pieces of gummed framing tape. Fold two pieces in half with the adhesive sides facing out. Create a sharp crease by running the side of a bone folder along the fold.
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4
Activate the adhesive only on one side of each fold on the folded pieces of tape by wetting them with water using a paintbrush. Stick the tape to the mat board, fold side up, and lined up with the penciled tape-placement marks.
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Activate the adhesive on the unfolded pieces of tape. Stick the tape pieces over the adhered halves of the folded pieces, tucked just under the creases, to create T-shaped hinges.
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Wet the other halves of the folded pieces of tape. Line up the painting's top corners with the previously marked corner points on the mat board. Apply pressure at the points of the painting where the tape lies underneath.
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Tips & Warnings
Frame the floated painting in a frame that has spacers around the edge to prevent the painting from touching the glazing material. This will keep the painting from sticking and will keep condensation that forms on the inside of the glazing from absorbing into the painting.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images
