What Framing And Matting Supplies Do I Need To Frame My Picture?

It is a simple matter to frame a piece of artwork, but it can be a little intimidating to the novice. Nevertheless, you can go online and learn how easy and fun it is to master this skill, and learn about all of the different framing and matting supplies as well as framing kits that are available, with the benefit of showing off your fabulous fine art in style.

A couple of preliminaries are in order before you begin looking for framing and matting supplies. You will want to take a ruler or measuring tape and measure the exact size of your artwork. These measurements will be necessary for selecting the correctly sized frame, mount and mat board, as well as glazing. You will also need to determine the value of the piece and whether you will wish to frame it to archival standards in order to preserve the artwork.

With this done, you can now move on to the actual nuts and bolts of framing and matting supplies that you will need. You will need some type of frame, which may or may not come with glazing, which is the glass or acrylic that is used to protect the art. A mount board is needed to provide a sturdy flat surface on which the artwork will rest. Mat board is used to help secure the art within the frame. If you wish to hang your artwork, you will need some type of hanging kit as well.

Framing supplies revolve around the frame itself and the glazing. Frames come in wood and metal styles, and which you use is up to your personal preference. Typically, photographs are framed in metal frames while paintings and other types of artwork are framed in wood frames.

In addition to the frame, other framing supplies you will want include some kind of glazing. Glazing comes in glass and acrylic, and both have their benefits. Glass is very sturdy and scratch resistant, but it often has a greenish or blueish tint to it that may not be appropriate with your specific artwork. Acrylic glazing is very lightweight, glare free and is also available infused with materials to protect your fine art from damage due to exposure to ultraviolet light and pollutants.

Matting supplies are also important in the process. Matting supplies include the mat board, mount board, as well as some means to attach the art to the mount. This usually involves framing supplies such as picture corners and hinging tape.

The final framing supplies that you might need are a wire and hanger. However, these framing and matting supplies are optional.

If this still seems like a lot to remember, make it easy on yourself and order framing kits instead. Framing kits are available for wood or metal frames, and come with all the parts you will need to ensure success when you frame your artwork.

Anne Harvester is an avid fan of arts and crafts such as matting supplies or framing kits. Anne believes a framing supplies are just as important as the picture itself since it's a safeguard for something you value.