A practical guide to picture framing - eMyTextBooks

A practical guide to picture framing

Sequence of operations necessary for making a straightforward glazed frame with a mount

1. Decide on the colour, window size and area of the mount. (A pale colour makes the picture look larger; a dark colour makes the picture look smaller).
2. Cut the mount to size.
3. Cut the window in the mount.
4. Decide on a suitable frame and the length of moulding required.
5. Sand and stain the moulding. (only necessary on raw wood or DIY mouldings).
6. Cut the frame to size and join it; wax or French Polish the finished frame (not necessary for ready-finished mouldings).
7. Cut the glass to rebate size and clean it thoroughly.
8. Cut a hardboard back to the rebate size and put the glass, mount and back into the rebate.
9. Pin the back in place and dust seal it with gummed paper strip.
10. Attach picture hooks and wire.

Measuring for Mounts

Calculating the Mount Size (to be cut from a sheet of mount board).

1. Decide how much of the picture you want to show (add to, or take away from the art size) = WINDOW SIZE.
2. Decide how much mount you want around the window (margins).
   • Top and both sides are the same.
   • For bottom margin allow extra 20% to compensate for the optical illusion which makes the bottom border seem narrower than it actually is.
   • Standard margin sizes:
     • Top and sides 50mm, bottom 65mm.
     • Top and sides 65mm, bottom 75mm.
     • Top and sides 75mm, bottom 90mm.
   • Allow for width of frame rebate by adding that amount to each margin width = MARGIN WIDTH.
3. Therefore MOUNT HEIGHT = rebate allowance + top margin + window height + bottom margin + rebate allowance.
4. Therefore MOUNT WIDTH = rebate allowance + right margin + window width + left margin + rebate allowance.
5. Therefore MOUNT SIZE = MOUNT HEIGHT * MOUNT WIDTH

References

1. "The complete guide to Picture Framing" by Jenny Rodwell and George Short (Black Cat)
2. "Picture framing made easy" by Penelope Stokes (Blandford Press) ISBN 0-7137-1851-X
3. "Picture Framing. A practical guide to all aspects of the art and the craft" by Pete Bingham (Merehurst) ISBN 185-391-1615