Playing with frame size and style is a great way to change the look, feel, and visual impact of your art. A popular trend in gallery framing and home art display is to use extra-large frames for smaller photos and art work. This creates a dramatic visual and draws the eye to your art display, no matter the size of the actual piece.
Getting a large picture frame with a small opening is simple and provides a lot of design and aesthetic options. Start with these photo framing steps:
- Measure your actual photo or art to obtain the correct mat opening size
- Decide how big you want the overall framed piece to be when finished
- Choose a frame style
- Choose a mat board style and color(s)
- Order your custom frame and mat board
Measure the photo or art size
While the frame can be as large as you want, you’ll need to know the size of the photo or art you’re framing as a starting point. Measure your artwork so you’ll know how large to cut the mat board opening.
This measurement will also help you decide on the dimensions of a custom frame. For instance, if you want five inches between the art and the frame on all sides, you’ll need a frame that is five inches plus the size of the artwork. Keep in mind that the frame’s lip will cover part of the mat board on all four sides. So, if you want exactly five inches of visible mat board, you’ll need to account for the lip’s width in your calculations.
Decide how big you want the frame to be
Visualizing the completed frame size in the space where the art will be hung is a key step in ensuring you get the desired finished look.
Using painters tape, frame the dimensions of your art or photo in the area you plan to hang it (you can also temporarily tape the art itself to the wall if it won’t damage the art or the wall). Next, make a second frame out of painter’s tape that represents the frame size you’re envisioning. Once you have your “frame” size right, carefully measure the frame dimensions. Don’t worry about keeping to traditional frame sizes, you can have a custom frame created that is the perfect size for your needs.
Choose your frame style
When you envision your frame in its space (and using the painters tape to get the exact size) don’t forget to take into account the type of frame you’re imagining. A sleek, contemporary frame won’t take up much more space when hung, but a large, chunky frame that creates a bolder look will need more wall space.
When you create the tape outline are you envisioning that as the outer edge of the frame or the inside-frame space? Frame dimensions measure the inside or “frameable” space. If you’re envisioning the tape outline as the overall real estate of the frame (all the way to the outer edges), deciding on the style of frame you want will have a major impact on the mat board size you need. Browse Frame Destination’s selection of frames to get an idea of how wide you’d like your frame to be.
If it’s helpful, you can add another tape box so that you have one representing the art, one for the inside of the frame, and one that’s the outer edge of the frame. This will give you an accurate understanding of what the finished product will look like.
Choose a mat style
Mat board is the material needed to fill out your frame when you’re looking for a large frame with a small opening. Mat board gives you plenty of options for additional customization to achieve your desired look. Mat boards come in a range of colors, from pure white and earth tones to bold, bright hues.
Beyond selecting the perfect mat color for your framing project, you’ll need to decide if you want a single layer of mat or multiple layers that will create a deeper-set, tiered look. When you opt for a double mat or triple mat, each subsequent layer will have a slightly larger opening, revealing the mat layers below. You can opt for mat layers in single color for a subtle look, or multiple colors to add a dynamic border around your art in its large frame.
When using large frames with a small opening, think carefully before selecting a boldly colored mat. A lot of mat will be visible with this framing style and a bright color could overwhelm the smaller art or photo. If you want to use colorful mat with this framing style, opt for a double or triple mat. Use a bright or bold mat for the first one or two layers and finish with a natural colored top mat. This will create an eye-catching border around your art without being overwhelming.
Order your custom frame
When you want a large frame with a small opening, you won’t find the right style and materials in a ready-made frame from a store. For this framing need you should order a custom frame. Once you have your style and dimensions in mind, visit framedestination.com to create your perfect frame package.
Select the style of frame that fits your vision – particularly in regard to frame face width and design – then enter the custom inside dimensions you’d like. Through the frame customization options, you can then select the mat style you’d like and the exact dimensions of the artwork itself. This fully customizable frame option ensures you get exactly the look you’re envisioning.
How to work with an existing frame
If you fall in love with a frame that’s bigger than the dimensions of your art or photo, you can still use it. First, clean up the frame and decide whether the backing and glazing (glass) is in good enough shape to reuse. If you’re all set, then measure your art size, decide on your mat board preferences, and order a custom mat to fit your art and frame.
If you have a frame without a back (say from an antique store or flea market, for instance), you’ll also need a mount board, mounting supplies, and a fresh frame backing to be able to successfully use the frame.
Whether you’re working with a beloved existing frame or ordering a brand new frame package, using a large frame for a smaller photo or art piece is easy and creates a dramatic, different look.
Playing with frame size and style is a great way to change the look, feel, and visual impact of your art. A popular trend in gallery framing and home art display is to use extra-large frames for smaller photos and art work. This creates a dramatic visual and draws the eye to your art display, […]
The style, color and cut of a mat board can dramatically change the look of your framed artwork and photos. While most ready-made frames have a typical, generic mat, understanding your mat board options can help you achieve the final look you’re envisioning. Here are seven popular mat board styles that will each give your framed art a unique look and feel.
(1) Single Mat Board with Four Equal Borders
A single mat, with the image centered, is the most common mat board style. [Tweet This]. In this style of mat presentation, all four of the mat borders surrounding the window opening are the same width. This style gives all types of artwork a clean, simple look. Most of our popular sizes feature centered mats with equal borders.
Single Mat with Equal Borders
(2) Bottom-Weighted Mat Board
A bottom-weighted mat is where the bottom border of the mat board is wider than the top and sides. There are several different schools of thought on the origin of bottom-weighting. One school believes it originated with the Victorian tradition of hanging picture frames high up on the walls, while another feels it's due to cultural preferences for a solid base. The scientific school of thought states it's based on the fact that the optical center, which is the place where a viewer's eye spends most of its time, is slightly above the true geometric center in a rectangular region.
How much wider should the bottom border be? It depends on the image size, but 1/2" to 2 inches is average. You can create bottom-weighted mat borders in custom size on our by clicking the “Customize this preset frame size” box while creating your custom mat board.
Bottom-Weighted Matboard
(3) Double and Triple Mats
A double mat consists of two (2) mat boards stacked together, a top mat and a bottom mat. The window opening of the bottom mat surrounds the image. The top mat has a larger window, which allows a small border of the bottom mat, called the reveal, to be shown. The width of the reveal varies; however, it generally averages between 1/8” and 1/2" and most often it’s a different color. Double mats create physical and visual depth. Triple mats are used as well, and they are especially popular for sports memorabilia, such as team jerseys. Our website allows you to create double and triple mats in different colors to create your own custom-designed frame package.
Double Mat Board Example
(4) Multiple Opening Mat Board
A multiple or multi-opening mat is one that contains more than one window opening. Individual openings of identical or variable sizes and shapes are cut in one mat to display a number of items. Multiple opening mats are used for photo collage projects, trading cards, baseball cards, antique stamps, or other collectibles. We can create a multiple opening mat board for you. Select the “Multiple Opening Mat Fee” on the main mat board page and follow the instructions for submitting your order.
Multi-opening Window Mat
(5) Museum Mat Board
A museum mat has a wide top and side border, plus a significantly wider bottom border. Museum mats are named such because this style if often used by museums for displaying certain types of artwork. The mat colors used are typically whites, blacks, or pale neutral colors. The museum mat style is well-suited for smaller works of art such as drawings, engravings, and watercolor paintings. Our website lets you create mat border sizes in almost any custom-size width you desire.
Classic Museum Mat Example
(6) Oriental Mat Boards
Oriental mats are designed to mimic Asian scroll art proportions, the narrow mat borders are usually one third or less than the width of the wider borders. This type of mat is used both horizontally and vertically. It’s used most often with Asian art; however, it looks great with any type of elongated art. On our website you can adjust the mat border sizes to your preferred widths and create the perfect mat.
Oriental Mat
(7) Print Mat Board
A print mat has wide side borders and much narrower top and bottom borders. Some references say it originated from a publisher’s habit of printing original limited edition prints on oversized sheets of paper, while others say it was to preserve the value of original art on paper by not cutting or altering it in any way. You can design an extremely cool print window mat on our website by checking the “Customize this preset frame size” box while creating your mat.
Print Mat Board
Click here to check out all of the different mat board types that we sell.
The style, color and cut of a mat board can dramatically change the look of your framed artwork and photos. While most ready-made frames have a typical, generic mat, understanding your mat board options can help you achieve the final look you’re envisioning. Here are seven popular mat board styles that will each give your […]
Picture frames, mat boards, and glazing help protect artwork and keepsakes from deterioration, but how do you protect unframed materials? Especially those with organic materials like dried roses from a wedding bouquet, or something more extensive, like a collection of plants. My grandfather was a horticulturist, which is a person who uses scientific knowledge to cultivate and propagate plants. I recently inherited one of his herbaria from the early 1970’s. Herbariums are collections of dried plant specimens usually mounted and systematically arranged for use in scientific studies.
Plants present storage challenges similar to art prints and canvases since plant materials are composed of cellulose, the basic component of most papers, textiles, and wooden objects. My grandfather had kept his herbarium in a dimly lit, air-conditioned room, so it was at least protected from light and temperature fluctuations. I was concerned though with the visible acid migration from the plants onto the paper containing his hand-written notes.
Objects containing plant materials in combination with other organic and inorganic substances create more problems than those made from a single material because changes in one substance can cause physical and chemical alterations in an adjacent one. In the picture below you can see the difference between paper with an attached plant specimen (left) and one without (right).
All of plants in the herbarium are common and easy to find; however, my deceased grandfather’s handwriting cannot be replaced. Since my main concern was preserving his handwriting, I decided to remove all the plant specimens to prevent any further acid migration from them to the paper. I didn’t want to throw them away, but wasn’t sure how to store them in an archival manner. The National Park Service’s “Conserve O Gram” on Preparing and Storing Herbarium Specimens suggests mounting dried plants on acid free, pH neutral 100% alpha cellulose or cotton rag paper using adhesive linen tape and then placing them in an acid free, pH neutral fragment envelope. My company sells a variety of archival products for image mounting and display. I selected our Bainbridge Artcare™ acid free mount board, see-thru archival mounting strips, and protective Clear Bags™ for mounting and storing the dried plants.
Wearing cotton gloves to keep the oils from my hands off the plants, I carefully removed all of the plant specimens and mounted them onto the foam board using the mounting strips. Since the specimens were all fairly small, so I chose 5”x 7” backer boards. We can cut custom mount boards, however, in any size up to 40”x 60”. The mounting strips are peel and stick and you can cut them into different sizes. None of the adhesive touches the plants, only the polyester strip. I placed acid free labels with the specimen’s name on the back on each foam board and then placed them in individual Clear Bags. These bags are museum quality, acid-free and lignin-free crystal clear. The adhesive strip is actually on the bag - not the flap - so that your contents won’t get stuck to the adhesive when being inserted or removed.
Finally, I placed his herbarium and all of the plant specimens in one of our Museum Storage Boxes. These boxes are made of acid-free buffered board which helps neutralize airborne pollutants and other contaminants. I am storing the box in a temperature-controlled room. Hopefully, by taking these steps, it will last another 40 years or longer!
Picture frames, mat boards, and glazing help protect artwork and keepsakes from deterioration, but how do you protect unframed materials? Especially those with organic materials like dried roses from a wedding bouquet, or something more extensive, like a collection of plants. My grandfather was a horticulturist, which is a person who uses scientific knowledge to […]
Frame Destination is passionate about art display and framing on every level – from framing your favorite family photos at home to providing the perfect framing supplies and transportation materials for gallery shows and art sales. While Frame Destination’s day-to-day focus is on offering consumers the best framing materials and Made in the USA frames available, we also take the time to work with other organizations in the art and framing world to help advance the industry and its offers as a whole.
One of the organizations Frame Destination is a proud member of is Aardenburg Imaging and Archives (AaI&A). This group is dedicated to advancements in digital printmaking and the preservation of prints and photographs. Frame Destination wants your prints and photos to look as good as possible and be properly preserved while on display or in storage (that’s why we sell archival quality mat boards and museum quality storage boxes). As an extension of our efforts to help you preserve your art work, Frame Destination donates framing supplies to AaI&A for framed longevity testing.
Here’s more about Aardenburg Imaging and Archives and the work they’re doing.
Aardenburg Imaging and Archives
Founded by Mark McCormick-Goodhart in 2007, AaI&A provides an opportunity for photographic and printmaking communities worldwide to collaborate in a free membership, supported by a donation-based funding and materials submission (like the framing materials donated by Frame Destination).
AaI&A’s areas of expertise include photography, printmaking, research, and archives, which give members the opportunity to engage in the full relationship of photography to printmaking. AaI&A’s mission is to foster a more meaningful conversation about print permanence between photographers, printmakers, collectors, museum and archive specialists, and manufacturers who want to provide more appropriate guidance to their customers.
The goal of AaI&A is to provide the community with insights and “unwavering attention to technical excellence.” The Aardenburg Light Fade Test Results Database is the source of these insights, which helps users research and analyze printmaking systems. The database has more than 300 test results and PDF reports for Aardenburg Members, free of charge.
In the near future, AaI&A plans to publish content related to photography and printmaking, including articles, tutorials, and videos to better connect with a broader reach of people who share a passion for art, history, and photography science.
AaI&A has several specialty focus areas related to their overall mission:
AaI&A Research is dedicated to ensuring that print quality and print permanence are paramount. The only viable way to ensure that an image is presented to an audience as the photographer intended is to create a physical print. A recent project for printmaking at AaI&A is funding the acquisition of new printers for 2016 in order to help AaI&A produce the samples needed for testing. In the past, the membership has helped produce print samples, but due to the volume of samples needed, obtaining these printers would expedite the process.
Aardenburg Imaging uses the I* Metric (pronounced “i-star”), which was invented by Mark McCormick-Goodhart. It is the most advanced light fade testing program in the industry. “The I* metric evaluates photographic tone and color reproduction accuracy by comparing a chosen sampling frequency of colorimetric values in one image to the values at corresponding locations in another image of the same scene” and was originally used for image permanence studies. Its two functions include measuring color accuracy and tonal accuracy in prints.
The I* Metric has an advanced protocol that measures color according to the context of the image; an absolute rating system that publishes light fastness performance in Megalux hours, which measures the doses of direct light exposure for each print sample; criterion for failure – the Conservation Display Rating from conservative criteria for determining a period of excellence required by a Fine Art Standard; comprehensive testing; discreet systems testing; and has true independence – the tests are entirely independent of funding by printer manufacturers.
The Aardenburg Archives house modern digitally mastered prints and photographs that are donated by members and archived. Materials and processing technology become obsolete quickly, so the goal of Aaredenburg Imaging’s Archiving program is to curate, document, and preserve modern media, especially the materials and processes used in the creation of the work.
AaI&A Community
The AaI&A community has more than 2,500 members in 63 countries. Membership is free – AaI&A’s work is funded by donations rather than paid memberships. To complete the work of development, testing, and publication of all materials, AaI&A accepts general and project donations.
Mark McCormick-Goodhart is the founder and director of AaI&A. He has more than thirty years of experience in imaging and materials and is also the holder of eight U.S. patents in imaging science and technology. Since founding AaI&A in 2007, he has built the organization to become the world’s most advanced facility for image quality and image permanence testing.
Frame Destination is passionate about art display and framing on every level – from framing your favorite family photos at home to providing the perfect framing supplies and transportation materials for gallery shows and art sales. While Frame Destination’s day-to-day focus is on offering consumers the best framing materials and Made in the USA frames […]
If you want to hang your framed art or photo on a wall, you’ll need either a picture hanging kit or brackets. Using a hanging kit, however, gives you more flexibility and a lower chance of uneven hanging than brackets because it is wire-based and can easily be adjusted.
All of Frame Destination’s complete metal picture frame packages include a complementary hanging kit. You can also buy individual hanging kits from us compatible with metal side-loading picture frames and metal back-loading picture frames. When you order a complete frame package from us we will automatically include the correct hanging kit for your frame.
Our side-loading metal picture frame hanging kits include:
- Plastic-coated wire
- Two (2) Omni hangers with screws
- Two (2) self-adhesive wall bumpers
You’ll need a flat-head screwdriver to properly attach the Omni hangers to the frame.
This is step-by-step guide to attaching your hanging kit to your side-loading metal frame. (Please note the hanging kit and instructions for wood frames are different.)
Step-by-Step Instruction
 Position the Omni hangers approx. 1/3 of the way down from the frame’s top. Ex: If the frame is 10” high, place the hangers 3” below the top of the frame. |
 Using a flat-head screwdriver, screw the hangers into the frame’s channel. They should fit snugly. |
 The holes of the hangers should face inward and be even with the top of the frame to properly attach the wire. |
 Thread the wire through the top of the hole in the Omni hanger. |
 Wrap the wire in the pattern outlined in steps 5-10 to ensure it’s securely attached. |
 Pull the end of the wire up to one side of the original wire line. |
 Cross the end of the wire across the original wire line. |
 Tuck the end of the wire behind the original wire. |
 Wrap the end tightly around the original wire line, staying close to the hanger. |
 Continue wrapping the end of the wire around the original wire line to form a secure hold. |
 Snip off any excess wire. |
 Repeat the procedure on the other side. |
Before repeating the procedure with the second hanger, be sure you leave enough slack in the wire so that the frame hangs at your desired level. Less slack means the frame will not “sink” as much after hanging, while more slack means the frame will sit lower and possibly lean forward.
Finally, place on the wall bumpers to the back of the frame, one in each bottom corner. This will protect your wall from being scratched by the frame.
Last Updated November 2, 2021
If you want to hang your framed art or photo on a wall, you’ll need either a picture hanging kit or brackets. Using a hanging kit, however, gives you more flexibility and a lower chance of uneven hanging than brackets because it is wire-based and can easily be adjusted. All of Frame Destination’s complete metal […]
Spring tension clips, or simply “spring clips”, are used to keep the picture frame’s components, mount board, artwork, mat board, and glazing, secured tightly within the frame.
When you purchase a metal picture frame from Frame Destination that includes components such as mat board, mount board, glass or acrylic, the frame will arrive with the spring clips already installed. You must remove the clips before installing your artwork and then replace them afterward.
REMOVE
Get an inexpensive pair of needle nose pliers. Flip the frame over. The spring clips are inside the space between the frame and the components.
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Grasp a spring clip with the pliers. |
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Gently pull it free; be careful not to scratch the component underneath. |
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Continue until all spring clips have been removed. |
REPLACE
 Place a spring clip on its side with the top edge against the frame. |
 Open the clip by pressing the ends back toward the frame. |
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 Secure clip firmly beneath the frame. |
*The number of spring clips included in the frame package varies by frame size and components; however, we typically install extra. Please contact us if you require more than what was included.*
Spring tension clips, or simply “spring clips”, are used to keep the picture frame’s components, mount board, artwork, mat board, and glazing, secured tightly within the frame. When you purchase a metal picture frame from Frame Destination that includes components such as mat board, mount board, glass or acrylic, the frame will arrive with the […]