6 Things You Should Know About Framing

A frame changes how you see a picture, but choosing one involves more than finding a colour you like. The size, mount, glazing and way the artwork is held all affect the finished result.

These six points explain the choices worth understanding before you order. If you are ready to take measurements and put those choices together, our step-by-step framing guide covers the process.

The picture size and the outside frame size are different

The size you use to order a frame normally refers to the artwork it holds, not the overall width and height on the wall. The moulding adds width around the picture; a mount adds a border inside that moulding.

For example, an A4 picture measures 210 × 297mm. A frame made to hold it will be larger on the outside, and adding a mount makes the finished piece larger again. Two frames for the same artwork size can have different outside dimensions if their mouldings differ.

Measure your picture edge to edge before using our made-to-measure frame designer. If you are working to a tight space on a wall, also check the finished dimensions before ordering. Do not substitute the space available on the wall for the artwork size.

A mount does more than create a border

A picture mount is the card surround between the image and the frame. It gives the picture visual space and, when properly fitted, helps keep flat artwork away from the glazing.

The mount opening is usually a little smaller than the sheet behind it, so the artwork's edges are covered. In our made-to-measure frame designer, that overlap is 4mm on each edge. Check for signatures or details near the edge rather than assuming every part of the sheet will show.

Mount colour and width can change the balance of a picture considerably. Start with a simple neutral, then compare alternatives. If you already have a frame, our mount-only designer asks for the opening and outside dimensions separately; those are different measurements from ordering a complete frame.

The frame should relate to the artwork as well as the room

Take a colour, texture or mood from the picture as a starting point. A dark frame can give a pale image definition, while natural wood may sit comfortably with warmer colours. A broad profile can make a small picture feel substantial; a slimmer one can keep a busy image feeling lighter.

These are choices to compare, not rules. Contemporary art can work in a traditional frame, and photographs do not have to go in black or white frames. Consider the picture and its surroundings together, rather than choosing solely to match the furniture.

Our Any Size frame collection lets you browse frames at your artwork's dimensions, which makes it easier to compare finishes on the same basis.

Glazing choices involve different trade-offs

Glazing is the clear sheet in front of the picture, usually glass or acrylic. Acrylic is generally lighter and less prone to shattering; glass is generally more resistant to scratches. Available options depend on the frame and size.

Glare reduction and UV protection are separate properties. A non-reflective option should not be assumed to provide conservation-level UV filtering. Check the specification for the particular glazing rather than relying on its name.

UV-filtering glazing can reduce some light damage, but it does not make artwork immune to fading. For delicate media such as pastel or charcoal, ask a conservation framer which glazing and spacing are appropriate. These materials need more care than an ordinary photographic print.

A decorative mount and the artwork's attachment are separate choices

The card border you see is only part of the framing package. How the artwork is attached behind it also matters, especially for an original, a signed print or an irreplaceable document.

Do not assume a product described as acid-free makes the whole frame a conservation frame. The boards, adhesives, glazing, attachment method and display conditions all need to be appropriate. Avoid trimming or permanently sticking down valuable artwork without specialist advice.

The Northeast Document Conservation Center's guide to matting and framing works on paper explains the distinction between the mount, attachment and protective materials in more detail.

Where you display the picture still matters

Framing provides useful protection, but the room remains part of the picture's environment. Keep valued paper artwork away from direct sunlight, damp conditions and strong sources of heat. Do not treat a glazed frame as a waterproof or airtight display case.

Think about reflections too. Look at the proposed position at different times of day, then choose a height and arrangement that suit the room. Plan fixings around the finished frame's weight and the wall construction, using a professional picture hanger if you are unsure.

With those choices understood, you can focus on the part that should be enjoyable: finding a frame that makes you want to look at your picture every day.