Framing Sizes & Ideas for a Mat Board

Standard Framing Sizes

• Frames generally provide a minimum of a couple of inches of space between the picture and the frame itself, allowing the use of a mat to cover the space in between. Typically a 4-by-6 inch picture would be in a frame of 8-by-10 inches. A 5-by-5 inch picture would be placed into an 8-by-8 inch or a 10-by-10 inch frame. The larger the picture, the larger the standard frame, with a 24-by-36 inch picture requiring a frame of about 28-by-40 inches to accommodate the photo and the mat space.

Customizing Options

• Your picture may require a custom frame size to accommodate an unusual width or length, along with a mat.This gives you more freedom in the materials used for the frame (wood, silver, etc.) and the matting you want, but costs more money. You can have custom frames personalized with words or clip art. Pricing can vary depending upon the material chosen. For frames, this can include American pine, fine bamboo and more expensive handcrafted wood with gold finishes. For matting, materials that are acid-free and of conservation material, such as rag or cotton, may cost more.

Mat Board Basics

• What you plan to frame will help determine which mat board is best used. Ask yourself if the frame and mat will surround a valuable item or merely provide home decor. Mat boards come in a variety of colors and textures and are made of different materials, which can include leather as well as paper. But not all mat board materials should be used for all art or photos, as some can be damaging over time.

Framing Valuables

• Use acid-free rag mat boards of 100 percent cotton to support your conservation efforts in framing, according to Church Hill Classics. This type of mat board will ensure your valuable pictures, diplomas and works of art do not become discolored or destroyed due to matting contact over time.

Framing Inexpensive Art

• For pictures or items that can be easily replaced -- or inexpensive in value -- save money by using the least expensive mat board material: paper. If you plan to change out photos or artwork in your frames seasonally, using paper mat board will be the least expensive option and still offer many color and texture choices.