How to Frame a Map

Professional Framer

• 1

  Look for a professional framer who has her own workshop and equipment.

• 2

  Communicate your preferences and tastes to the framer, starting with the look of the molding which will be used to make the frame. Molding comes in woods, metals and plastic, each one with a variety of finishes.

• 3

  Ask the framer to demonstrate some of the molding options for you. The framer should have some samples of molding on hand which he can put up against the edge of the map to help narrow down the choices.

• 4

  Choose a mat board, which will act as a buffer between the edge of the map and the frame. Mat boards can be stacked and layered to give a more formal look, which is especially effective with large or antique maps.

• 5

  Communicate the importance of the map to the framer, so that she can make appropriate choices in how it is conserved in the frame. An antique map will need much more consideration with materials and equipment when mounting it. A more common map can be framed with less expensive materials which are still safe to use on artwork.

• 6

  Leave the map with the framer and he will contact you when the framing job is complete.

Frame at Home

• 7

  Measure the exact dimensions of the map. Also, measure the dimensions of just the map image if there is a border around the image.

• 8

  Visit an art or framing store to purchase a frame of the exact size of the entire map. Give the measurements to a framing professional at the shop and have him cut to size both a mounting board and a mat board.

• 9

  Center the map on the mounting board and adhere the photo corners to each of its corners. The corners should be placed close enough to the edge of the map to secure it to the board without the actual adhesive touching the map. The map will expand and contract over time, but correctly placed photo corners will allow it some room to move slightly without buckling against the mounting board.

• 10

  Place the frame face down on a table and place the mat board face down into the frame. The mat board should be sitting against the glass.

• 11

  Insert the mounting board with the image face down into the frame. The image should be lying flush against the mat board.

• 12

  Secure the contents of the frame with the frame hardware, which will differ depending on the type of frame that was purchased.

• 13

  Turn the frame over and check the alignment of the map image and matte board. Make any adjustments necessary, and hang up the framed map when finished.