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SUGGESTIONS FOR MATTING AND FRAMING ARTWORK
The following is intended for the convenience of the public.
ART WORK INTENDED FOR COMPETITION OR DISPLAY AT THE WASECA ART CENTER SHOULD USE 4 INCH MATTS AND FRAMES AS SUGGESTED BELOW.
Do-it-yourself framing is not difficult and can be reasonably priced.
- Measure the dimensions of your artwork generally leaving a ¼ inch border around the image.
- Measure for a matt. The top and sides of the matt must be equal size, the bottom maybe larger. The best matts are 4 inches in width, they can be larger. Never measure for a matt less than 3 inches. All exterior dimensions of the matt must come to the full inch (18 inches, not 17 ½) All matts used for competition and/or exhibition at the Waseca Art Center must be 4" in width.
- If you do not have equipment or ability to cut your own matt, order matt from a reliable framer. Colored matts should only be considered if you are framing art for your own home for a specific location. Matts for gallery display or for sale should be white. If a color is desired, consider having an interior, double matt of the color of your choice. One white matt should cost less than $10.00.
- Purchase a sheet of window glass the size of your matt from your local glass supplier.
- Purchase assemble-yourself frames. You will need to order two sets, one for the horizontal dimensions and one for the vertical. Remember to get hardware, it comes free with your order. One set at 16 inches and one set at 20 inches should cost under $20.00
· There are several companies on line, check out a search engine to find one.
· Pictureframes.com (Graphik Dimensions Ltd.) is good. Their rainbow & standard frames sections work well.
· Hobby Lobby is a retail store in Mankato, MN that sells good quality frames at very reasonable prices.
- If your matt did not come with a mount backing, use double face tape and mount your artwork on a piece of foam-core (available at Walmart) which has been cut the same size as the matt. Use a very sharp utility knife and a good straight edge yardstick to easily cut foam-core.
- Tape the top of back of the matt to the top of the front of the foam-core. Use a good glass cleaner and careful clean the glass. Put the glass on top of the matt and follow directions for assembling the frame to complete your project. This is not difficult, but a little time consuming the first time. You will need a small screwdriver.
- Attach hanging wire to the back as directed in the frame instructions. When slightly bent, the wire should fall from 2 – 3 inches below the top of the back of the frame.
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