Picture Framing and Matting

illustrations by Allison Bye

Custom framing is not cheap—and there’s a reason for that. It takes skill and often specialized tools to build a custom picture frame. Read on for a quick guide to the components of the project. Depending on your skill level and shop setup, you might be able to make your own frames. Or, perhaps repurposing vintage finds is more your speed—we cover that, too.

MATERIALS

For the frame: Use scrap wood or search out old frames at Goodwill, garage sales or antique stores. Both can be refinished according to your tastes, and cut to the size needed. Tip: If you’re putting together a gallery wall and need a lot of frames at once, our favorite way to do it is to purchase antique frames, which are often made of higher-quality materials, then cut the mat and glass to fit, and assemble it all together.

For the mat: Buy pre-cut mat board from an art supply or craft store. To cut it, purchase a mat-cutting tool and a proper surface to cut on. The mat-cutting tool gives the mat window angled edges for a more finished look. Choose an acid-free, archival mat if what is to be framed needs to be preserved. There are also online retailers, like www.matboardandmore.com, where you can order custom mats.

For the glass or plexiglass: Try online retailers, local frame shops or art and craft supply stores.

DIMENSIONS

When cutting material for the actual frame, know that the corresponding sides will need to be the exact same length, in order to get the frame to line up and be square, and not have gaps where the corners meet. The overall frame dimensions should take into account the size of the image and the surrounding mat, if using, and the rabbet (see below).

Dimensions

WHAT’S A RABBET?

A rabbet is found on the back of a frame, and provides a lip—usually about a ¼ of an inch deep—to insert the glass, mat, photo and backing material. The rabbet keeps all the materials in place and flush with the back of the frame, and it creates a viewing window that is slightly smaller than the actual dimensions of the image or mat. A rabbet is cut into the frame using a router.

Rabbet

A TALE OF TWO JOINTS

When making a frame from wood, there are two different corner joints to consider. A miter joint means the pieces are cut at a 45-degree angle at either end. This requires precision and a miter saw to execute. A butt joint is simpler, and has the two pieces abut one another.

The corners can then be attached using a variety of methods, from wood glue and brad nails, to pocket screws, dowels and biscuits. The latter three require specialized equipment or jigs.

Two joints

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