You can find 5 uncomplicated ways to framing.
Step one – Tips on how to Reduce Mats
Including a colour border (the mat) close to your artwork enhances the image and presents a restful region amongst the graphic as well as the photo body. The color and sizing on the mat board must be resolved to start with, as this may establish the general dimensions within your photograph frame. You start by calculating the external size of the mat.
To cut the mat utilize a top quality bevel mat cutter and ruler. You will find various reducing programs to go well with many budgets and skill ranges, such as the Mat Master Product 660 for that hobbyists, for the Mat Learn 860B or 1060B for the eager home photograph framer.
Mark the borders to be lower on the back from the mat board.
Make sure the mat will protect the perimeters on the artwork, by subtracting approx. 3mm or 1/8″ through the image measurement (length & width). Reduce the mat following the instructions for your mat cutter. Attach the image to your mat using 2 small pieces of acid free tape within the top edge only.
Action 2 – The best way to Slice the picture Body
How much image body moulding material will I need? Carefully measure the picture and mat you wish to body. Add an extra (3mm) for “play” to ensure the picture fits easily into the finished photograph body.
Add the length (L) and width (W) together, then multiply the total by 2 to give you the general duration. You also have to allow with the mitre cuts, so multiply the width (W2) with the moulding by 10 and add this to your total.
(L W) x 2 (W2 x 10) = TOTAL
Producing the 45 degree mitre slice in your framing material is most important – your joining will only be as great as your chopping. Always use a top quality manual Mitre Saw… we recommend the Proman hand saw which is made in Sweden as the best on the market. Electric powered Drop Saws are not ideal for slicing small delicate picture frames.
Superior Measure System helps to make measuring easy and eliminates many mistakes. Once you have reduce the 1st mitre, slide the picture frame material along into the required length to the measuring scale, and set the stop. You are now ready to cut the initially 2 pieces of your photo frame. Change the settings to chop the other 2 sides on the frame.
Chopping one side for a frame is straightforward.
Chopping the second side to get be the same as the to start with, is the hard part. With the FrameCo Ezy-Measure System you can slice accurately every time.
Phase 3 – The best way to Clamp Frames
How do you Clamp the Frame? Clamping the frame tightly is essential for fantastic joining. You can use the a Cord Clamp, or the Steel Strap Clamp to secure the picture body ready for joining.
The advantage of the Strap Clamp is that you can see all the four corners of the picture body clamped together before joining. So alignment from the corners is simple.
All corners should match up evenly. Apply a little wood glue to all corners on the body for added strength. Carefully tension the clamp producing confident that the corners are aligned then secure the clamp tightly.
You are now ready for joining.
Stage 4 – How to Join Frames
Most image frames are joined with a V-Nail. This is the easiest method and it is what the professional picture framer uses. The FrameCo PushMaster joining tool, inserts V-Nails into the corner in the frame. Two V-Nails in each corner is usually all that is necessary.
The PushMaster can be used by hand alone on most picture frames, or you can tap the PushMaster with a mallet if the body is hardwood. The PushMaster can be upgraded into the BenchMaster® which will insert V-Nails into the harderst of timbers.
V-nails: How do they work?
Upon entry, the sides of your V-Nail are deflected outwards. As it pulls again into its original shape, the join is pulled together. The little curl on the edge of the V-Nail locks the nail into the grain from the timber. Glue alone is not sufficient for strong stable joints, by incorporating a V-Nail you achieve a strong, tight joint. Which V-Nail dimension . . . You use a V-Nail about 1/2 the frame height.
Sizes are: 7mm – 1/4″, 10mm – 3/8″, 12mm – 1/2″, 15mm – 5/8″
Phase five – The way to Finish Frames
Take the empty image body to a glass merchant and have them cut a piece of glass for you. If you wish to cut glass yourself make use of a good quality oil filled cutter, or the Glass Cutter. Use only 2mm plain or non-reflective glass.
Fome Core is the ideal backing board as it is light weight, acid free and straightforward to chop. You can also use 3mm MDF or cardboard. Place the empty body face down and insert the glass, then the matted photograph and lastly the backing board.
Use the PushMaster to insert brads or flexipoints into the rear of one’s photo frame to hold everything in place.
Use Backing Nails for large frames or heavy items. Rustic picture frames are flexible and ideal for needlework or when you want to re move the image, eg. photo frames.

To seal the artwork in the body, tape over the brads/flexipoints using an excellent high quality backing tape. This may prevent dust or insects getting into the image.