Framing a favourite picture preserves it and improves the room it hangs in. The part that matters most is measuring it accurately. It sounds simple, but a few steps need to be followed to avoid a frame that is too tight, or one that crops the image by accident.
First decide how the picture is to be framed: with no mount, with a mount, or in a box frame. Then you need a tape measure, a straight edge, and a pen and paper for the figures.
Understanding frame sizes
External size
The external size is the outside measurement of the whole frame. It tells you how much wall the finished picture will cover, and it depends on the width of the moulding you choose.
Our website works from the inside outwards. You enter the size of your artwork, and everything else is calculated from that and from the options you select. The external size is not what you order by.
Internal size
The internal size is the space inside the frame where the glazing, the artwork with any mount, and the backing board fit. It matches the size of the prepared artwork, with a small tolerance so that everything goes in easily.
Mount size
A mount separates the picture from the frame and keeps it off the glazing, which can otherwise damage it over time. As a guide to border widths:
- Smaller frames, up to 11 x 14 inches: a border of 1.5 to 2 inches.
- Medium frames, 11 x 14 to 20 x 24 inches: 2 to 3 inches.
- Larger frames, 20 x 24 inches and above: 3 to 4 inches.
The tools for measuring
The best tool is a retractable steel tape measure, marked in millimetres. Alternatives have their uses and their limits:
- A metal ruler. Rigid and accurate, and a good straight edge, for pictures that are shorter than the ruler.
- A sewing or tailor's tape. Cloth and paper tapes stretch, so the figures cannot be trusted. We do not recommend them.
- A laser measure. Convenient for rooms, but not accurate enough for small pictures and frames.
Before you measure, read our measuring advice for helpful tips.
The frame designer
On our picture frames and mounts page you enter your artwork's measurements and the frame size is worked out for you, including any mount. It takes out the guesswork.
Measuring step by step
Measure the picture
- Lay the picture flat on a clean surface.
- Check that your tape measure or ruler is in good condition.
- Measure the width from side to side, in millimetres. Measure what you want to see. Include any border you want to show, and leave out any you do not.
- Measure the height from top to bottom in the same way.
Measure twice and write the figures down.
Allow for a mount
If you want a mount, you still measure only the image you want to see. The website does the rest.
- Choose the width of the mount border, bearing in mind the picture, the style, and the width and colour of the frame.
- The website calculates the frame size from the image size you entered and the border widths you selected.
By default the mount overlaps the edges of the image size you enter by 3mm on each side, to hold the picture in place.
Allow for the rebate
The rebate is the inner lip of the frame, behind which the picture and mount sit. The rebate of each frame style is given on our website.
- Most frames have a rebate of about 5mm, to hold the contents in place.
- Without a mount, about 5mm along each edge of the artwork is hidden behind the rebate. With a mount, about 5mm of the mount is hidden instead.
- Check that the frame is deep enough for the total thickness of your picture, mount and backing.
Choosing the type of frame
Made-to-measure frames
A made-to-measure frame is made to the exact dimensions of your artwork, and gives the most choice.
- Material. Wood or metal, to suit the artwork and the room.
- Colour and finish. A wide range, to match the picture or the decor.
- Mount and glazing. Conservation mounts and UV-protective glazing are available for work that needs them.
Standard sizes
Ready-made frames come in standard sizes. They are cheaper and easy to find, but they may not fit your artwork exactly. The common paper sizes are:
| Paper size | In inches |
|---|---|
| A4 (210 x 297mm) | 8 1/4 x 11 3/4" |
| A3 (297 x 420mm) | 11 3/4 x 16 1/2" |
| A2 (420 x 594mm) | 16 1/2 x 23 3/8" |
| A1 (594 x 841mm) | 23 3/8 x 33 1/8" |
EasyFrame does not sell ready-made frames. Everything we make is made to order.
Replacing a frame
- Dimensions. Measure the artwork itself as well as the inside of the old frame.
- Style. If the picture hangs with others, keep the new frame in keeping with them.
- Protection. If the old frame had UV-resistant glazing or an acid-free mount, make sure the new one does too.
Backing and glazing
Backing board
The backing board supports the picture and protects it from moisture, dirt and pollutants.
- Acid-free foam board. Light, protective and resistant to moisture.
- Conservation-grade backing board. Made from archival materials, for valuable or irreplaceable pieces.
Glazing
| Glazing | Points to note |
|---|---|
| Glass | The traditional choice. Affordable and easy to clean, but heavy and reflective. |
| Acrylic | Light and shatter-resistant. Preferred for larger pieces. |
| Non-glare | Reduces reflections, but can soften fine detail slightly. |
| UV-protective | Blocks most UV light. Costs more, but gives the best protection against fading. |
Ask for advice
If you are unsure, ask. A framer can help you choose a frame that suits the picture and the room, and a mount that looks right and protects the artwork properly.
EasyFrame offers a wide range of made-to-measure frames, and with long experience we can advise on the right frame for your artwork. Call us on 01234 856 501 or email sales@easyframe.co.uk. We are always happy to talk, whether or not you want to buy.