Today's Must Reads

Matting photos and artwork adds a professional touch and elevates their visual impact. While cutting your own mat board can be a rewarding experience, pre-cut mat boards offer convenience and ease. In this blog post, we will guide you through matting photos and artwork using a pre-cut mat board, ensuring a hassle-free and beautiful presentation.

Gather Your Materials

To get started, gather the following materials:

• Pre-cut acid-free mat board in your desired size and color
• Artwork or photo to be matted
• Acid-free tape or adhesive
• Ruler or measuring tape
• Pencil
• Picture frame

Prepare Your Workspace

Find a clean and well-lit workspace to work on your matting project comfortably. Ensure the surface is protected to avoid damaging the artwork or the mat board. Gather all the materials mentioned above to have them on hand as you work through the steps to add a mat to your image.

Measure and Position the Artwork

Measuring to purchase an acid-free matboard with the perfect dimensions is easy. Measure the dimensions of your artwork or photo. When ordering online, you may see mentions of exact and non-exact openings. Exact openings mean exactly that! The opening of the precut matboard will be the exact measurements listed. A non-exact opening is more user-friendly and forgiving. It will be cut up to 1/4 inch smaller than the dimensions listed. This allows for you to place the image behind the mat and it will not fall through the opening.

Once you have your mat of choice in hand, place the pre-cut mat board on your workspace and position the artwork on top, ensuring it is centered. Use a ruler or measuring tape to double-check alignment.

Mark the Position

Once the artwork is properly aligned, use a pencil to lightly mark the corners of the artwork on the mat board. This step will serve as a guide for attaching the artwork. This step is important for both exact and non-exact mat openings. Try to be as accurate as possible to ensure your image will sit properly within the mat opening. 

Attach the Artwork

Carefully lift the artwork and apply acid-free tape or adhesive to the back, ensuring the tape is positioned along the edges. Place the artwork back onto the marked position on the mat board, gently pressing it down to secure it. Pressing down gently is key here so that the image isn't fully attached just yet. This step will help you minimize any damage to the image or matboard before the final framing.

Inspect and Adjust

After attaching the artwork, inspect the matting to ensure it is aligned and positioned correctly. Make any necessary adjustments before proceeding to the next step. When the positioning is perfect, press the tape down more firmly to ensure the image is safely and securely attached to your mat. 

Frame and Display

Once you are satisfied with the matting, it's time to frame your artwork. Prepare the frame by removing the back and cleaning the glass or acrylic surface. Carefully place the matted artwork into the frame, ensuring it fits securely. Replace the frame back and secure it in place.

Matting photos and artwork with a pre-cut mat board provides a simplified and convenient approach to achieving professional-looking displays. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently mat your artwork without cutting your own mat board.

Remember to choose acid-free materials to ensure the long-term preservation of your artwork. With pre-cut mat boards, you can save time and effort while still achieving stunning results. So, gather your supplies, select the perfect pre-cut mat board, and bring your photos and artwork to life with beautifully matted presentations!

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, this method allows you to showcase your creativity and enhance the visual appeal of your cherished pieces. Enjoy the process and embrace the satisfaction of perfectly matted photos and artwork!

About The Author

Brittany DeMauro is the Creative Director here at CustomPictureFrames.com. With a background in creative writing and a passion for all things DIY, you'll find her in the shop crafting content. She can always find space for a fun gallery wall and loves discovering new artists to display around her home (in custom frames, of course!) When she's not creating content for our brand, she can most likely be found binging shows on Netflix with her two cats.

Aspect ratio is a term used to describe the proportional relationship between the height and width of an image or video. This relationship is not expressed with standard units of measurement but is based on a representation of those proportions. Aspect ratios are especially important when dealing with digital media, as many websites require specific ratios to display content correctly. When it comes to art prints, most pieces conform to a few common ratios.

Common aspect ratios and print sizes

At CustomPictureFrames.com, we understand the importance of aspect ratios and have compiled a list of the most common ratios and print sizes in inches for your convenience:

• 1:1 ratio common print sizes: 8x8, 12x12, 16x16, 20x20
• 2:1 ratio common print sizes: 12x6, 20x10
• 2:3 ratio common print sizes: 4x6, 6x9, 12x18, 16x24, 20x30
• 3:4 ratio common print sizes: 6x8, 9x12, 12x16, 15x20, 18x24
• 4:5 ratio common print sizes: 8x10, 16x20, 24x30

Some medium format cameras use a 1:1 square format ratio, which is also widely supported by popular social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook.

DSLRs with full-frame sensors and APS-C crop sensor cameras typically have 3:2 sensors.

Smartphones and Micro Four Thirds cameras typically shoot in a 4:3 aspect ratio.

The widescreen format with a 16:9 aspect ratio is commonly used for high-definition video and is the standard for HDTV.

Changing aspect ratios

Changing aspect ratios is usually possible, but depending on the image's original size, you may have to crop portions of your art to conform to the new ratio. For example, if you want to switch a 5:4 ratio image with a size of 16x20 inches to a 1:1 ratio with a size of a 16x16 inch square, you need to crop 4 inches from the height of your image. The same principle applies when switching from a square to a rectangle with a different ratio.

Choosing the right frame

No matter the aspect ratio, selecting the perfect frame for any image is simple with our interactive frame designer. For printed images, measure the width and height of your art, and add those values to our frame designer. It will generate the correct size frame based on your art measurements. For digital images, the image size is automatically calculated after the upload is complete. You can adjust the size of your frame and image by choosing from our suggested dimensions or inputting your own values.

Make sure to consider image resolution and the Dots Per Inch (DPI) calculation as you enlarge or shrink your piece, and remember that switching aspect ratios may result in the need for cropping. Our website generates the best sizes your digital file can be printed at for the most high-quality image. If you'd like to print at a size larger than the system suggests, contact customer service to make sure your file can be enhanced to be printed. 

At CustomPictureFrames.com, we are here to help you with all your framing needs. If you need assistance, please get in touch with our support team with any questions. Don't forget to share your creative framing projects with us on social media using #getcustomframed!

About The Author

Brittany DeMauro is the Creative Director here at CustomPictureFrames.com. With a background in creative writing and a passion for all things DIY, you'll find her in the shop crafting content. She can always find space for a fun gallery wall and loves discovering new artists to display around her home (in custom frames, of course!) When she's not creating content for our brand, she can most likely be found binging shows on Netflix with her two cats.

Ordering a custom picture frame from CustomPictureFrames.com is an exciting process. You’ve carefully selected the perfect frame style, matting, backing, and glazing options to showcase your artwork or photograph beautifully. But what can you expect when your frame arrives?

First and foremost, you can expect your custom frame to arrive in perfect condition. CustomPictureFrames.com takes great pride in the quality of our craftsmanship and materials, including the packaging used to ship your frame. Our boxes are specifically engineered to minimize damage during transit, and the cardboard used is SFI-certified and sustainably sourced. Plus, we never use more plastic than is necessary to protect your frame.

When you open your custom frame box, you’ll find everything you need to display your artwork or photograph. Hanging hardware and clips for installing canvases are included, making it easy to hang your new frame immediately. If you’ve chosen the print and frame option, your hardware is installed, and the back is papered to protect your print from dust while on display.

If you’ve ordered an empty frame to install your image or photograph, you’ll notice the protective film on both sides of the acrylic. It’s important to peel off the protective film in a clean area to prevent dust and hair from being attracted to the acrylic surface.

Most importantly, CustomPictureFrames.com guarantees your complete satisfaction. We stand behind the quality of our products and want you to love your custom frame as much as we do. So, when your custom frame arrives, take a moment to appreciate the care that went into its packaging and the craftsmanship that went into its creation. Then, proudly display your artwork or photograph, knowing that your custom frame will last for years.

About The Author

Brittany DeMauro is the Creative Director here at CustomPictureFrames.com. With a background in creative writing and a passion for all things DIY, you'll find her in the shop crafting content. She can always find space for a fun gallery wall and loves discovering new artists to display around her home (in custom frames, of course!) When she's not creating content for our brand, she can most likely be found binging shows on Netflix with her two cats.

Quality materials are essential for preserving and displaying your most treasured memories and artwork. At CustomPictureFrames.com, we take great pride in our craftsmanship and hold our materials to the highest standards. Our materials should exceed your expectations and ensure your cherished artwork lasts years. Let's take a closer look at the materials we use and how they contribute to the quality of our finished products.

The Mouldings

Our frames are crafted from solid wood, which makes them strong and sturdy. You won't find any imitation wood or polystyrene options in our inventory. Our frames come in various styles, and you can even see the beautiful wood grain shining through the high-quality finishes in some styles. We understand that every artwork piece is unique and important, so we offer a vast selection of moulding options for you to choose from.

The Matting

Adding a mat to your picture frame gives it a refined finish. Our mat boards come in various colors and are 4-ply and 8-ply thick to fit your needs. We offer customization options, including single, double, or triple mats. You can even choose a mat with different textures, such as suede, basketball, and football. Adding a mat can protect your artwork from glass or acrylic and provide visual depth to your piece.

The Backing

The right backing is crucial to completing your artwork package. We include an acid-free 3/16” thick white foam core board with your frame to keep the artwork in place while protecting it. An acid-free backing can prevent your artwork from yellowing or deteriorating over time.

The Prints

We offer printing services that bring your favorite art or photograph to life. You can upload your photo or image file anywhere and choose between our paper and canvas options. We print on only the best archival paper and canvas, ensuring your print lasts for years. Our high-quality prints will shine in our frames, and you can proudly display your artwork.

The Glass

We use frame-grade acrylic instead of glass in our picture frames and shadow boxes. Acrylic is shatter-resistant, lightweight, and less expensive than glass, making it a more practical choice for our customers. We offer standard frame-grade and non-glare acrylic, which provide UV protection to help preserve and protect your images and art from light damage. Our non-glare acrylic is an excellent option for hanging artwork near a light source to eliminate glare.

The Inks

Our high-quality printing services start with our archival inks, which are resistant to weathering and fading. These inks ensure that your artwork or photograph will look stunning for years to come. No matter what file we print for you, you will receive a product that fits the fine art world.

The Packaging

We understand the importance of ensuring that our handcrafted frames are delivered to you in pristine condition. Therefore, we designed and manufactured our boxes to minimize damage during transit. These specially-engineered boxes are also sustainably sourced and produced, contributing to our commitment to environmental responsibility.

At our framing and printing shop, we take great care to use only the highest quality materials to ensure that your cherished artwork lasts for years. From our solid wood mouldings to our archival inks, we believe that every component of our products should be of the highest quality. When you choose us for your custom framing and printing needs, you can rest assured that your artwork is in good hands.

About The Author

Brittany DeMauro is the Creative Director here at CustomPictureFrames.com. With a background in creative writing and a passion for all things DIY, you'll find her in the shop crafting content. She can always find space for a fun gallery wall and loves discovering new artists to display around her home (in custom frames, of course!) When she's not creating content for our brand, she can most likely be found binging shows on Netflix with her two cats.

Comic books are more than just a source of entertainment - they are a beloved piece of pop culture history. And for many fans, collecting and preserving comic books is a passion. One way to display and protect these treasured items is by framing them. Framing comic books allows for easy display and protects them from damage caused by handling, exposure to light, and other environmental factors. But framing comic books can be daunting, especially for those new to the world of comic book collecting. In this blog post, we will explore the ins and outs of framing comic books, from choosing the right frame to protecting your valuable collection.

Comic books contain so much more value than just their storylines.  Some hold fond memories.  Maybe you’ve saved them since childhood and don’t want to let them go.  Or, you saw investment potential and bought them as a collector.  In either case, it's important to remember that paper won’t last forever. Without proper protection, time and constant handling will take their toll.

Comic books are works of art, and art looks great in a frame.  Their unique style of artwork catches the eye and conjures memories of childhood.  That’s why it’s becoming more popular to take them out of the box in the back of the closet to preserve them and put them on display.

With over three hundred real wood mouldings in our inventory, we can create the perfect frames for your favorite comic books.  You can display your comic books from single comics to a collage of your most prized issues while keeping them protected from the elements.

Choose from our standard or non-glare frame-grade acrylic that both offer UV protection.  The four- and eight-ply matting and thick, white foam backing in our comic book frames are acid-free.  Even our shipping boxes are specially engineered and SFI-certified.

Here are the general steps to framing comic books:

Choose the right frame

Selecting the right frame is crucial when framing comic books. Look for a frame that is the right size for your comic book, with a depth of at least 1 inch to accommodate the book's thickness. You can choose between metal or wooden frames, depending on your preference and the style of your collection.

Choose the right matting

The right matting can enhance your comic book's appearance while protecting it from direct contact with the glass. Choose an acid-free mat board that matches the size of your comic book.

Prepare the comic book

Before framing it, ensure it is clean and free of debris or fingerprints. If your comic book has any tears or other damage, you may want to consider repairing it before framing.

Mount the comic book

Use acid-free mounting corners or strips to secure your comic book to the mat board. Be sure to place the corners or strips in a way that doesn't cover any important parts of the comic book.

Add backing board

Once your comic book is mounted and secured, add a backing board to protect the back of the book. Use an acid-free foam board cut to the size of the frame.

Add glass or plexiglass

Add glass or plexiglass to your frame to protect your comic book from dust, dirt, and other environmental factors. Use UV-protective glass or plexiglass to prevent fading and damage caused by exposure to light.

Seal the frame

Once everything is in place, seal the frame with tape or backing paper to prevent dust or debris from entering the frame.

Following these steps, you can create a beautiful, protective display for your treasured comic book collection.

About The Author

Brittany DeMauro is the Creative Director here at CustomPictureFrames.com. With a background in creative writing and a passion for all things DIY, you'll find her in the shop crafting content. She can always find space for a fun gallery wall and loves discovering new artists to display around her home (in custom frames, of course!) When she's not creating content for our brand, she can most likely be found binging shows on Netflix with her two cats.