How to Put a Picture in a Mount: Expert Guide

Framing a cherished photograph can transform it from a simple image into a beautiful piece of art. A crucial part of this process is matting, which involves placing a decorative border around the picture before it’s placed behind the frame’s glass. A well-chosen mount not only protects your photo but also enhances its visual appeal, making it stand out. This guide will walk you through how to put a picture in a mount step-by-step, ensuring a professional and polished finish.

Why Use A Mount?

Before we dive into the ‘how-to’, let’s understand why using a mount is so important. A mount, also known as a matboard, serves several key purposes. Firstly, it provides a crucial air gap between the artwork and the glass. This prevents condensation from forming, which can damage the photo over time. Secondly, a mount helps to draw the viewer’s eye to the photograph. The border creates a visual separation from the frame, allowing the image to take center stage.

Finally, a mount adds a professional and finished look. It’s a standard practice in galleries and exhibitions for a reason. It elevates the presentation and suggests care and attention to detail. Without a mount, a picture can look lost or cramped within a frame, diminishing its overall impact.

Gathering Your Materials

To successfully mount a picture, you’ll need a few essential items. Having everything ready before you start will make the process much smoother.

• Your Picture: The photo or artwork you want to frame.
• Mount Board (Matboard): This is the cardboard border. It comes in various colors and thicknesses. For a standard frame, a 2mm or 3mm thickness is common.
• Backing Board: A sturdy board, often acid-free, that goes behind the picture and mount.
• Cutting Mat: A self-healing mat to protect your work surface.
• Craft Knife or Mat Cutter: A sharp blade is essential for clean cuts. A dedicated mat cutter provides more accuracy.
• Ruler or Straight Edge: Metal rulers are best for guiding your cuts.
• Pencil: For marking measurements.
• Double-Sided Tape or Archival Adhesive: To secure the picture to the mount and the mount to the backing board. Archival tapes are best for preserving your artwork.
• Frame: The final frame you’ll use.
• Glass or Acrylic: The protective front of the frame.

Credit: rammount.com

Preparing Your Picture And Mount

The first step is to ensure everything is clean and ready. Dust and fingerprints can easily get trapped between the picture and the glass, so work in a clean area.

Measuring For The Mount

You need to determine the size of the opening you’ll cut in your mount board. This opening should be slightly smaller than your picture, typically by about 1/4 inch (around 5-6 mm) on all sides. This overlap is crucial for holding the picture in place and preventing it from falling through the mount opening.

For example, if your picture measures 8×10 inches, you would cut an opening of approximately 7. 5 x 9. 5 inches. This means you’ll need to mark 1/4 inch in from each edge of the desired opening on your mount board.

Cutting The Mount Opening

This is the most critical step for a professional look. Precision is key.

• Mark the Opening: On the back of your mount board, measure and lightly mark the dimensions of the opening you want. Use your ruler and pencil.
• Score the Lines: Place your metal ruler along one of the marked lines. Using your craft knife or mat cutter, make a light score line along the ruler’s edge. Don’t try to cut all the way through in one go. Repeat for all four sides.
• Make the Cut: Once you have scored all four lines, go over them again with more pressure, cutting through the board. Take your time and use a steady hand. It’s often easier to cut away from yourself.
• Remove the Cut-out: Carefully remove the center piece. You should be left with a clean, rectangular opening.

*Pro Tip:* If you’re using a dedicated mat cutter, follow its specific instructions. These tools often provide cleaner, more consistent results, especially for multiple mounts.

Preparing The Picture

If your picture is slightly larger than the desired opening, you’ll need to trim it. Remember the overlap, the opening should be 1/4 inch smaller than the picture on each side.

• Position the Picture: Place the picture face down on a clean surface.
• Place the Mount: Carefully place the mount board (face down) over the picture, aligning it so the opening reveals the part of the picture you want to show.
• Mark Trimming Lines: Lightly mark on the back of the picture where you need to trim it so it fits within the mount’s reveal.
• Trim Carefully: Use a sharp craft knife and a ruler to trim the picture to size.

Assembling The Mount And Picture

Now it’s time to bring the picture and mount together.

Attaching The Picture To The Mount

This step ensures the picture stays securely behind the mount opening.

• Position the Picture: Turn the mount board over so the front is facing up. Place your picture face up into the opening, ensuring it’s centered and the edges are hidden by the mount.
• Secure with Tape: Use archival double-sided tape or a tape runner. Apply small pieces of tape to the back of the picture, along the edges that will be covered by the mount.
• Press Firmly: Carefully place the mount back onto the picture, aligning the opening. Press down firmly on the mount where you applied the tape to secure the picture.

*In my experience*, using archival tape is worth the small extra cost. Regular tape can yellow and damage your photo over time, which is especially important for valuable or sentimental pictures.

Attaching The Mount To The Backing Board

The backing board provides support and keeps the entire assembly rigid.

• Position the Mount: Place the mount board (with the picture attached) onto the backing board. Ensure it is perfectly aligned.
• Secure: Use double-sided tape or archival adhesive to attach the mount to the backing board. Apply tape to the back of the mount board, around the edges. Press the mount firmly onto the backing board.

Credit: www.scosche.com

Placing The Assembly Into The Frame

You’re almost there! The final steps involve putting your matted picture into the frame.

Preparing The Frame

Ensure the frame and its glass or acrylic are clean. Remove any dust or debris.

Assembling The Frame

• Place the Glass: Lay the frame face down on your clean work surface. Carefully place the glass or acrylic insert into the frame.
• Add the Assembly: Place your matted picture assembly (mount board and picture) on top of the glass. Ensure it sits flat and is correctly oriented.
• Add Backing: Place the frame’s original backing board (or a new one if needed) on top of your assembly.
• Secure the Backing: Use the frame’s fasteners (tabs, clips, or staples) to secure the backing board firmly in place. Make sure everything is snug and doesn’t move.