Picture Framing Guides & Resources
Everything you need to design a custom picture frame, from standard frame sizes and mat board selection to shadow boxes, conservation framing, and specialty applications. Each guide is written by certified framers and includes technical specifications, common mistakes to avoid, and answers to the questions our customers ask most.
Picture Framing Reference Guides by Topic
Conservation Framing Standards Guide
Complete overview of archival framing materials and professional-grade preservation standards. Learn archival construction, lignin-free materials, pH buffering, and PAT testing. Understand when conservation framing is required versus optional for long-term artwork protection.
Mat Board Color Selection Guide
Professional color theory for picture framing. Master neutral whites, dark mats, complementary color strategies, and double mat combinations. Learn how mat colors interact with artwork, undertones, temperature considerations, and common selection mistakes.
Professional Mounting Techniques
Master hinge mounting, corner mounting, float mounting, and adhesive techniques. Detailed instructions for T-hinges, V-hinges, wheat starch paste application, and photo corners. Learn reversible versus permanent mounting and conservation attachment methods.
Design & Layout
Multi-Opening Layout Engineering
Grid layouts, hierarchical compositions, asymmetrical arrangements, and visual weight distribution. Learn rule of thirds, rhythm, negative space, and structural spacing requirements for professional multi-opening mat design.
Border Width & Proportions
Professional border calculation formulas including rule of thirds, minimum border standards, weighted bottom borders, and proportional scaling. Border width examples for common artwork sizes with visual balance principles.
Specialized Applications
School Picture Frame Layouts
Design kindergarten through 12th grade photo displays. Timeline layouts, graduation photo placement, standard school picture sizes, mat color recommendations, and archival preservation for educational milestone documentation.
Sports Team Photography Framing
Team photo with individual player layouts, championship documentation, action shot collages, multi-year progression displays, and jersey number integration. Mat color coordination with school colors and team gift ideas.
Matboard Guide
What matboard is, how it's made, conservation vs. standard grades, thickness options (4-ply vs. 8-ply), and how to pick the right matboard for your frame.
Shot Glass Display Case
Display case sizes for your shot glass collection, wall vs. tabletop options, custom shadow box alternatives, and where to mount the case.
Picture Matting Guide
Picture matting explained (why frames need mats, how wide the border should be, weighted bottoms, single vs. double matting, and how to pick the right color).
Standard Picture Frame Sizes
Complete reference chart for the 15 standard picture frame sizes (from 4×6 snapshots to 30×40 wall art). Common uses, recommended mat dimensions, and what to do when artwork isn't a standard size.
Picture Frame Moulding Guide
How picture frame moulding is built: profile shapes, materials, width and depth selection, the rabbet, and how to pick the right moulding for your artwork size.
What is a Shadow Box?
Plain-language guide to shadow box frames: definition, depth selection, glazing options, and the most common uses (medals, sports, wedding, baby keepsakes). Includes a depth-by-item reference and FAQ.
Ready to Design Your Custom Frame?
Apply what you've learned with our professional design tools. Create custom mats and collage frames with precision measurements, conservation materials, and real-time pricing.