A Complete Guide to Custom Framing with Matting
Custom framing with matting combines a frame tailored to your artwork with a custom-cut border that surrounds the image. The mat helps keep works on paper away from the glass or acrylic while giving the artwork space inside the frame. The right approach depends on the piece, its condition, and how you want to display it.
Find the right frame and mat for your artwork
You have a photograph or print you want to hang, but you can’t decide whether you should add a mat or choose a standard frame. Understanding the differences between custom and ready-made frames will help you decide.
Custom art framing starts with the artwork's size and condition. This guide explains how framing and matting work together, when each makes sense, and what to consider before visiting a professional framer.
Table of contents
Find the right frame and mat for your artwork
What are custom framing and matting?
How do custom framing and matting work together?
When do you need custom matting?
How to choose the right frame and mat
How do you measure artwork for framing and matting?
Framing examples for different artwork
Why do proper framing and matting matter?
Which framing materials should you choose?
How much does custom framing with matting cost?
Common framing and matting mistakes to avoid
What do conservation experts recommend?
What should you expect at a framing appointment?
Protect your artwork with Framing Establishment
What are custom framing and matting?
Custom framing creates a frame that fits your artwork's dimensions, with molding and protective materials that suit the piece. Unlike ready-made frames, it accommodates unusual sizes.
Custom matting adds a border around the artwork using a cut matboard. Custom picture matting and framing often go together, but you might only need a new mat to fit a smaller photo inside an existing frame.
How do custom framing and matting work together?
The frame holds everything together, while the backing supports the artwork. A mat creates space between the image and the glass or acrylic, helping prevent moisture-related damage.
Custom framing with matting also gives the artwork a defined border. A framer ensures each component fits properly and provides the right support and protection.
When do you need custom matting?
Matting helps with fit and protection, and adds a border when you want one. Common examples include:
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Unusual photo sizes: A custom mat helps a small or nonstandard print fit a larger frame.
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Original works on paper: Proper matting keeps drawings and watercolors away from glazing.
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Photo groupings: A mat with multiple openings holds related images in a single frame.
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Frames you already own: Replacing a mat may give an existing frame a new purpose.
Not every piece needs a window mat. Stretched canvases often need a different approach, and some photographs look better without a visible border. For paper artwork without a mat, spacers help maintain separation from glazing.
How to choose the right frame and mat
For custom picture matting and framing, start with the artwork rather than the room. The piece itself should guide your choices.
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Assess the piece. Look for delicate surfaces, signatures near the edge, or other details that may affect framing.
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Compare frame profiles. Hold narrow and wide moldings next to the artwork to see which one gives it the right balance.
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Decide on matting. Think about how much space the artwork needs around the edges and how wide you want the finished border to feel.
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Choose the mat style. A single mat creates a simpler look, while a double mat adds another layer of detail. This guide to choosing the right mat board for your art explains what to consider before making that choice.
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Review protection. Ask which glazing and mounting methods make sense for the artwork and how you plan to display it.
How do you measure artwork for framing and matting?
When choosing a frame, focus on the artwork's size rather than the frame's outer dimensions. If you're adding a mat, its outer edges should fit the frame, while the opening should suit the artwork.
For example, an 8x10 photo in an 11x14 frame needs an 11x14 mat with a slightly smaller opening to overlap the photo's edges. The mat's border width also affects the overall look.
Always measure your artwork first. Our guide to photo frame dimensions explains common sizes and measurements.
Framing examples for different artwork
Different artwork calls for different approaches:
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Family photograph: Place a smaller print inside a larger frame with a neutral mat.
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Original watercolor: Choose suitable conservation matting and mounting that protects the paper.
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Canvas painting: Look at custom frames or float frames without traditional window mats.
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Signed print: Keep the signature visible through the mat opening or explore float mounting.
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Vintage photograph: Have a framer assess its condition before selecting materials.
Custom art framing should reflect the piece's materials and what you want to preserve.
Why do proper framing and matting matter?
Good framing helps protect the artwork while supporting the way you want to display it. A mat creates space around the image, and a suitable backing keeps it supported. Proportions matter too. A wide mat draws attention toward a small photograph, while a narrow one gives a large print a tighter border. The best combination suits the artwork's condition and your space.
Which framing materials should you choose?
For an irreplaceable photograph or original artwork, look closely at the materials inside the frame. The Library of Congress's guidelines for matting and framing explain why stable materials and proper spacing matter when protecting works on paper. Keep these considerations in mind when choosing your framing materials:
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Matboard: Conservation-quality boards use stable materials that help limit staining and deterioration. Acid-free labels alone don't tell you everything about a board's suitability.
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Backing: A stable backing board supports the piece without introducing damaging materials.
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Glazing: UV-filtering glass or acrylic reduces ultraviolet exposure, although visible light still contributes to fading.
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Mounting: Suitable corner supports or reversible hinges avoid the problems that permanent adhesives may create.
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Spacers: These hold artwork away from glazing when the design doesn't include a window mat.
For fragile or valuable pieces, ask your framer about conservation framing and which materials best suit your artwork.
How much does custom framing with matting cost?
Your frame's size and molding affect the price, as do the matboard and glazing choices.
You might add a mat to an existing frame or choose a ready-made frame for a standard print. Delicate originals may warrant a complete custom assembly. Ask which choices protect the artwork and which affect its appearance.
Common framing and matting mistakes to avoid
Before placing an order, watch for these mistakes:
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Guessing measurements: Measure the artwork rather than relying on a product description.
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Covering important details: Check the mat opening against signatures and image edges.
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Choosing unsuitable adhesives: Ask about mounting before attaching valuable paper artwork.
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Skipping the space behind glass: Use a mat or appropriate spacers for works on paper.
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Hanging art in direct sunlight: Even protective glazing doesn't stop all light damage.
What do conservation experts recommend?
For valuable works on paper, proper matting and mounting help protect the artwork from damage over time. Choose stable materials and appropriate mounting techniques that follow conservation framing practices. If you have a particularly fragile or light-sensitive original, consider keeping it in protective storage and displaying a reproduction instead.
What should you expect at a framing appointment?
Bring the artwork and any frame you hope to reuse. A framer will check the piece's condition, then help you compare frame samples and mat options. Explain where you'll hang it and whether preservation matters. Ask about materials and the estimate before approving the project. You don't need to decide everything beforehand.
Frequently asked questions
Will a framing shop cut a mat for a frame I already own?
Many shops cut custom mats. Bring the artwork and frame so the framer can check the fit.
How much of my artwork will a mat cover?
A window mat usually overlaps the edges slightly. To keep the entire sheet or signature visible, ask about float mounting.
What if my photograph already has a white border?
You may not need another visible border. Compare a frame without matting against a matted option to see which proportions suit the photograph.
Should the mat match the artwork or the frame?
Start with the artwork. Choose a color that complements the image, then check how that mat looks alongside the frame's finish.
What's the difference between a mat and a frame spacer?
A mat creates a visible border around an image. A spacer maintains the distance between the artwork and the glazing without adding a border.
Is custom framing worthwhile for inexpensive prints?
It depends on your goals. A standard frame may suit a replaceable print, while custom art framing offers greater flexibility.
What should I bring to a custom framing appointment?
Bring the artwork itself when practical, along with any frame you'd like to reuse. A photo of your wall may help with style decisions.
How long does professional custom framing take?
Timelines vary with the materials and complexity of the project. Ask the framing team for an estimate based on your particular piece and deadline.
Protect your artwork with Framing Establishment
Whether you're framing a family photograph or an original piece of art, choosing the right materials helps keep it in good condition. A professional framer will consider the artwork's size and condition, then help you choose a frame and mat that suit the piece and where you plan to display it.
Framing Establishment offers personalized guidance throughout the custom picture matting and framing process. If you're ready to frame something special or have questions about your options, contact Framing Establishment to discuss your project with our team.