How to Frame Art Prints

Measure the size of the print. Take note of the colors in the print and the room it will be placed in. When choosing the frame and mat (if wanted), it should harmonize with the surrounding colors. A print with many colors is best partnered with a solid frame and mat, such as black and white. A more simple print can be accented with a cream or tan mat and frame.

Pick out the type of frame, including the material it will be made out of, such as wood, metal or plastic. For more upscale rooms, wood such as mahogany or walnut is a good choice for wood. For more everyday use, pine, cedar or poplar are good choices for wood or solid paint colors on plastic, wood or metal.

Decide if the frame is going to be a main piece of the print or if you want it to be barely noticeable and fade into the background. A thick frame, such as 2 or 3 inches, can make a piece stand out, while a small frame, such as 1/4 to 1/2 inch, can fade into the background, making the actual print the center of focus. All frames should be set up with a solid, clear piece of glass made for art prints. The only time the glass would be omitted is if the picture is the original painted canvas.

Pick out the mat shape and color if it is going to be used. A mat can set off a print, making it the center of attention. It also upgrades a picture, making a normal piece look more finished and defined. The mat should accent the picture, not stand out or clash against the picture. For instance, a black and white picture may clash with a cream mat but harmonize better with black, white or gray.

Decide on the size of the mat. It can be anywhere from 1/2 inch to 6 inches wide. If the picture is a large picture, then use a smaller mat, normally 1 to 2 inches wide. When a picture is small, but you want to display it in a large frame, a large mat should accompany it.

Set up the picture with the mat to make sure the colors look good together along with the frame color. They should all work well together. If one stands out or clashes, it can make the whole piece look unorganized and be an eyesore.

Use a mat cutter to cut the mat to size for the picture. These have a long metal ruler with a sliding piece that holds the razor blade at a 45-degree angle. The metal ruler prevents the blade from slipping, so the cut will be straight. The angle the razor blade is at makes the mat have a more polished look. If a mat cutter is not available, a normal razor blade or box cutter can be used with the metal ruler, cutting it at a straight angle.