Understanding Picture Frame Matting Basics

Custom framing is an art of framing which requires skilled craftsmanship, years of experience and gives the option of customizing your frame as per your requirement. It also helps in protecting your art and displaying it in the best way possible. In custom framing you are free to choose your material, design and layout to show your picture as per your liking.

Often Matting is used in custom frames which is probably the most complicated part of buying a frame. Mats can be made of cardboard or other materials that can serve as a frame within a frame. The frame separates picture from direct contact to the glass. Small air space between photograph and glass also prevents moisture build up. A mat can be decorated as per photograph’s specification- colored, decorated or pure white.

Preservation Grades
Mats should be made of acid free material. Everything that is in contact with the artwork should be acid free. Mats should also, not only be acid free but should have the quality to absorb has air-born contaminates that has the ability to damage your art.

There are 3 grades of a Mat

Grade 1: Untreated Acid Core
This is a basic mat in which only surface is treated to reduce acidity but the core is untreated. So if a mat is cut or damaged from any side then the acid can leak from the mat and render the artwork yellow. This type of mat is best used for temporary framing for about 1 year.

Grade 2: Treated wood pulp interior
This is made of wood pulp fiber and is chemically treated to reduce acid property of the mat. They offer medium level of protection and are suitable for items which are valuable but not irreplaceable.

Grade 3: Cotton Based
These mats are not made of wood pulp but of cotton which are naturally acid free. This is best kind of material that can be used to create a Mat . They often come with lifetime warranty and the artwork is the safest when this kind of mat is used. However, they tend to be quite expensive.

What is a Ply?

Ply represent an important part of Mat. Normally mats are made of 2 core layers, and a backing; or 4 parts, hence the word 4 plys. However most mat board today are made with just 3 layers, and backing.

Color of a Mat

One very important point to consider while choosing mat color is that, your Mat should primarily compliment the picture, and only then the other aspect such as color of wall, furnishing and decor should be taken as a factor, while deciding the color of the mat. Other important rule while choosing mat is that, mat should draw the focus of the image to the viewer’s eye.

Choose the Best Shade for Your Frames - Using Color Wheel Tool

There are various techniques that are present today which professionals employ to shorten the process of choosing the right color for frames, especially matting. A color wheel is great tool to make correct decision about the right color to choose. With this color wheel artist and framer can choose the correct color for their Mat or color for other components of the frame.

A color wheel also known as color circle is a pictorial representation of colors arranged according to their chromatic relationship.

Primary Colors: They are the basic color and are used to create other by mixing them together.

Secondary Colors: They are attained by mixing two primary colors.

Tertiary Colors: They are achieved by mixing primary and secondary hues.

Complementary Colors: As shown below they are located opposite to each other on a color wheel.

Analogous Colors: Colors that are located close together on a color wheel are analogous colors.

Active & Passive colors
A color wheel can be further divided into ranges that represent active or passive color. When passive color are placed against active colors they seem to advance and passive colors seem to recede.

• Hues that are advancing have less visual weight than the ones that are receding.
• Warm, saturated, light value hues are "active"
• Cool, low saturated, dark value hues are "passive"
• Tints or hues with a low saturation appear lighter than shades or highly saturated colors.
• Some colors remain visually neutral or indifferent.

Color Relationships

They are represented on a color triangle on a color wheel

Painter’s Triangle: In this red, blue and yellow are primary hues. This triangle is most often used in art classes.

Printers Triangle: This color is used in printing process and magenta, cyan, and yellow are primary hues.

Nine-part harmonic triangle of Goethe: They are basically printer's primaries; the secondaries formed are the painter's primaries; and the resulting tertiaries formed are dark neutrals.

Complementary Colors

A color wheel is a great tool the see the relationship among colors. The colors that are opposite to each other are complementary colors.

Complementary colors when used are able to bring out the best in each other. When saturated complements are used they create vibrant and interesting effects.

For framing use color wheels to choose the right color balance between the art and framing that surrounds it. The best idea is to identify secondary color in the art and use it as the value and temperature of the art as a whole.

Plexiglass frames - A preferred choice

A picture frame is a great way to preserve your art for long. Often, when we go for custom made frames, there are many components that are needed to be chosen judicially. One of the main components that often gets neglected but is equally important; to create a visually appealing picture frame is, glazing. Glazing can be made of Standard Glass or Plexiglass. Standard Glass is the most common glazing used and is inexpensive and readily available. Standard glass is the best option for reproduction prints, posters and artwork.

Plexiglass is lighter than glass, and less dangerous to handle. Plexiglass, in its most advanced form, provides most of the benefit of museum glass and has the ability to filter 50-75% of UV rays along with being anti-static and scratch resistant. Plexiglass is a great alternative and preferred choice of framers around the world. Plexiglass is virtually impossible to break and can stand the test of time thus are normally used with art that needs to be preserved, is expensive and requires high viewing quality . On the other hand, Glass is heavy, can break easily and thus difficult to transport. Plexiglass also comes in several forms, with various standards such as coating, tint or matte finish.

For smaller frames, standard glass can sometimes be used, but for large frames, Plexiglass is the nest option as it is able to sustain its own weight. Museums also prefer Plexiglass over standard glass as chances of Plexiglass breaking is less. A standard glass glazing can break with little shock and damage the rare piece of history it is supposed to preserve. As Plexiglass can sustain vibration and mild shock it is preferred choice of framers who wants to give more durability to the frame. Glass on the other hand is good for smaller picture frame with a budget constraint and should be handled with care. So when it comes to durability, cleanliness and light weight, Plexiglass is the material of choice.

However following consideration is taken by framers when they choose Plexiglass

• Framers might not prefer Plexiglass when Painting is made with pastels or charcoals. As Plexiglass holds static electric charge which causes dust particles to stick to the surface and compromise clarity of image.

• If the budget is a constraint, then Plexiglass can be a costly option to fit in. Standard glass can be used especially for frames less than 32x40 inch in dimension.

• If the art to be framed is for reproduction prints, posters and artwork then standard glass can be the best option for framing over Plexiglass.

Ed heck prints - Why are they liked?

With specialties in original acrylic paintings on canvas, Ed Heck is one of the most fresh, bold and enigmatic artist of our time. The reason why Ed Heck paintings are so popular is because they are engaging. They have a naïve charm about themselves which comes quintessentially when Ed uses bright colored pallets. With these bright positive messages being portrayed from Ed’s painting the response from viewer has always been overwhelming. Since the time Ed Heck has exhibited his first painting in 1999, they have been a hit among art loving community.

Ed Heck’s style of painting is such that it appeals to the gamut of audience, from fine art newcomers to serious collectors. Ed is a consummate storyteller and engages viewer attention with exploration of evocative use of color, along with showcase of sense of humor and irony. Instead of painting abstract, Ed Heck borrows his imagery from comic books, to emphasis emotional life in his art. Heck’s paintings are filled with weird and wonderful characters, offbeat landscapes and peculiar visual point of view. Viewers get drawn into this imagery which they have not seen or experienced before and like it instantly.

Ed Heck lives in New York and it’s quite amazing to see the paradox in his painting when compared to the madness of New York. People all across the country love Ed Heck’s work and his detailed drawing can be found in American Museum of Natural History’s fossil halls. The paintings that Ed Heck creates have often intrigued art lovers around the world. Ed’s painting might at first glance look odd due to his unique sense of imagination which often represents two sides of same coin. While Ed Heck works on paper and canvas have lost all the excess baggage of detail, they are distilled into an essence that can only be the result of the most focused of study.


Ed has come a long way from his first exhibit in New York City in 1999. His work can now be found around the world and it is Ed Heck’s unique style and mass appeal that has created a space for him in art arena and has made him one of the leading pop artists of our time. Ed along with his art has also written many children’s books such as Monkey Lost, Big Fish, Little Fish and “Ed Heck Just Board”, which is his own line of board books. Ed Heck’s popularity has also been accentuated by his licensed on apparel, home furnishings, dog toys, and a line of Ed Heck luggage and travel accessories.

Charm of Ed Heck’s painting is universal due to his use of bold lines, vibrant colors and powerful shapes. Ed Heck style of art has almost created a new genre of art often referred as Heck style of art, which in itself is ode to Heck’s unique imagination. Rarely has an artist said so much with such an economy of brush strokes.

Picture Framing - Overview

Picture frames essentially does the job of enhancing your image, bring focus to your favourite photograph, protect it and bring professional feel to it.  Picture Framing is also an extension of the photography process. Once you decide to frame your picture then choices in framing can be myriad and process overwhelming. There are several options to tackle the framing job. You need to decide on the design of frame, different type of mats, frames, glass and the way the picture is going to be mounted. Despite having several choices the overall process of framing generally remains the same.

There are two broad categories in which frames can be divided:  ready-made and custom made

Custom Framing: This is the expensive but sophisticated option of framing and are generally in wood or metal base. Custom picture frames are best used to preserve family heirloom or irreplaceable artwork and provides the flexibility to choose high quality acid free materials that can preserve the artwork for decades. 

Ready Made Frames: Ready-made picture frames are made in bulk and comes in usual size of a standard photograph prints such as 8x10, 6x4 etc. There is no flexibility in changing the material or design of the frame and the buyer has to simply accept the material, matting colour and dimensions offered.

Which frame is right for you

The reality here is that there is no one single answer to this question. For some readymade project will be just fine while in other cases more expensive custom made frame will be suitable. 

As a rule of thumb ready-made frame should be used when the photograph can be cut to standard size and is not too precious. Such examples are digital photograph or posters. They might have high sentimental value but they can be reprinted at click of mouse. 

Custom made frame are best to preserve family heirloom and irreplaceable artwork and has the flexibility to choose high quality such as acid free materials that can preserve the artwork for decades.

Ultimately the frame you choose should be based on your budget, pictures value (monetarily and emotional both) with proper consideration being given to the place where you are going to hang it.

Do need expert advice for picture framing

Consultancy in Picture framing becomes important because there are lot of element that are involved in creating a perfect picture frame. Elements that your consultant will advise you on are given below but this in no way an exhaustive list and can change from framers to framers.

Frame materials - Material that you use for your frame depends on your budget and size of the photo you plan to frame.
Mat size and color- You can certainly frame a photo without the mat but is not recommended. Mat provides stability, protection and not to mention flare to your frame. Mat also provides proper spacing between your photo and protective glass.
Layout Design: Framers will help you decide on how you plan to display your photos. Is it single-framed prints or collage frames with several prints?
Glazing: Glazing is equipment in frame that protects everything in a frame. This again is optional but is highly recommended if artwork is exposed to varied temperature and humidity changes.

It is best to use the services of professional when you plan to display your photo in a costly frame. Framing can be an awkward job especially for pictures that are large or of dissimilar size. So Always use a professional to help craft your framing as per your requirement and turn your picture into a wonderful memory that you can share with the world.

Difference between custom picture frames and readymade picture frames

You have taken your best picture, and are now wondering which type of frame will bets suit and enhance your precious picture. In broad sense there are two types of frames; Readymade and Custom Made frames, and knowing the difference between these two is the most common question that customers have to tackle when they decide to go for framing. Given below is the difference between custom picture frames and readymade frames.

Readymade Frame

First thing we need to understand about readymade frame is that they are mass produced and come in ready to use standard sizes (e.g. 4 x 6, 8 x 10, or 16 x 20). There is almost no flexibility in changing any aspect of the frame and you get what you buy from the store. Best thing about readymade frame is that they are easily available at your nearby store and are made in various materials, such as plastic, acrylic including wood and metal. Readymade frames are also inexpensive as they are created in bulk and often come with low glazing and backing option. With readymade frames all you to do is take a picture and hang it over a wall and requires minimal labor and material cost.

Custom Picture Frames

In custom frame each and every component of the frame is handpicked to suit each aspect of your artwork. The creation of custom frame starts with choosing the frame molding, this can be wood or metal and extends to choosing matting, glazing, backing and other hardware. Glazing are of various type with non-glare and ultra-violet protection properties. Backing material are available in standard, acid free material. Mats are of various colors and come in various fabrics as well to suit your artwork.
So as you see custom frame provides flexibility to choose in every aspect of frames and help provide truly distinctive look to your artwork. It is best to take advice of professional framers when going for custom frames.

So which frame is best for you?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question. The frame that you choose completely depends on the artwork to be framed in question and your budget.  For some, readymade project will be just fine while in other cases more expensive custom made frame will be suitable.

As a rule of thumb ready-made frame should be used when the photograph can be cut to standard size and is not too precious. Such examples are digital photograph or posters. They might have high sentimental value but they can be reprinted at click of mouse.

Custom picture frame are best to preserve family heirloom and irreplaceable artwork and has the flexibility to choose high quality such as acid free materials that can preserve the artwork for decades .
Ultimately the frame you choose should be based on your budget, pictures value (monetarily and emotional both) with proper consideration being given to the place where you are going to hang it.

Important components of a picture frame - Glass

A picture frame is a great way to preserve your art for long. Often when we go for custom made frames, there are many components that are needed to be chosen judicially. One of the main components that often gets neglected but is equally important, to create a visually appealing picture frame is Glass.

Picture frame glass helps to prevent your art from damaging UV rays. They also help in preventing the art from dirt and sudden temperature changes. A good glass glazing should have the property to prevent the art from these external damages and help preserve the art for long.

Framing glass is the most traditional way to frame your picture or artwork. Although there has been many advancement in glazing options and new product are there in the market which can replace glass; but glasses still reign supreme in framing market. Glass despite of its weight and fragile property is still widely used, as it is non – expensive, provides luster and sheen to the frame. Glass when compared to today’s modern method of glazing product, does not bow and is less prone to scratches. Glass also does not build up static charge like an acrylic glazing which attracts dust to the frame.

Glasses for picture frame come in many variants and provide flexibility of choice.

• Anti-Glare glasses- Reduces glare from bulbs or ambient light

• Glazing with ultra violet reduction- This stops UV light entering the glass and preserved your artwork

Given below are few properties of picture frame glass which makes them an important component to consider, when shopping for that perfect frame:

• Standard Glass is the most common glazing used and is inexpensive and readily available

• Painting with pastels or charcoals should use glass for framing as it does not hold static electric charge, which causes dust particles to stick to the surface and compromise clarity of image.

• Standard glass is the best option for reproduction prints, posters and artwork

• Standard glass can be best used for frame smaller than 32x40 inch.