Framing a picture means pairing the right size frame, mat, and glass with your artwork, then hanging it level with secure hardware.
Whether you’re protecting a treasured print or turning a phone photo into a wall statement, framing comes down to a few measurements and an assembly order. Most framing mistakes happen before the frame is ever closed: the mat is wrong for the art, or the glass traps a fingerprint you can’t reach afterward. Here’s the simple version: measure your picture, pick a mat and frame that fit it, clean the glass before assembly, stack the layers in the right order, then hang it level. The steps below walk through both a physical frame and the digital route if you just want a border effect on a photo.
Choosing the Right Frame Size and Mat
Frame size refers to the glass or backing sheet that fits inside the frame, not the visible opening where your art shows through. That distinction matters more than any other measurement you’ll make. If you have an 8×10 print, you need a frame whose glass is at least 8×10, and a mat whose opening is slightly smaller so the art doesn’t slip through.
Standard US picture sizes cover most consumer prints: 4×6, 5×7, 8×10, 11×14, 16×20, 18×24, and 24×36 inches. Logan Graphic Products publishes a common mapping of artwork sizes to frame sizes, such as 5×7 art fitting a 16×20 frame, or 8×10 art fitting a 20×24 frame. The extra room isn’t wasted—that’s where the mat sits, creating the visual buffer between the image edge and the frame lip.
Mat and frame dimensions are not interchangeable. Industry allowances typically run about 1/16 inch per side (1/8 inch total in width and height) so the art sits comfortably inside the opening. Remember that the mat itself will cover roughly 1/4 inch of the image on each side, so don’t position artwork assuming full edge visibility. If you’re buying a ready-made frame, confirm the mat opening before you commit—choosing a frame before verifying the mat size is the most common fit failure.
Assembling the Frame in the Right Order
Clean the inner glass with a microfiber cloth before you assemble anything. Once the frame is closed, dust and fingerprints are trapped behind the glass, and no amount of surface cleaning will fix them.
Secure the back closed with the hardware that shipped with the frame—usually flexible tabs or small nails—then install the wall hanger centered at the framing wire point. IKEA’s framing guidance follows this same sequence: measure the art, pick the frame size, and fasten the back before hanging.
Digital Framing: Adding a Border in Adobe Express
If you don’t want a physical frame, Adobe Express lets you add a border effect to photos online, free, in minutes. The tool runs in a browser, so there’s no software to install and no device lock-in beyond having an internet connection.
Open the Adobe Express frame feature and upload an image from your library or pick an Adobe Stock photo. From there you can drag and drop shapes, colors, text, and icons onto the image, or choose premade elements for a faster result. For a true border look, pin the photo to the background, add another photo, an opaque icon, or a text box on top, then scale the top layer to reveal the border beneath. Adjust the border thickness through the Layout option.
For people ready to display photos without any manual assembly, a digital picture frame skips the mat-and-glass workflow entirely. If you’re shopping for one, our roundup of the best Apple picture frame options compares the top models for AirPlay, photo syncing, and display quality.
Hanging the Frame Straight
A crooked frame undoes all the care you put into the assembly. Install the wall hanger centered at the framing wire point, not off to one side, so the weight distributes evenly. Use hardware rated for the frame’s total weight—a heavy 24×36 frame with a thin nail is a fall waiting to happen. Then level the piece before you step away; most people eyeball it and walk off, only to notice the tilt from across the room later.
The complete sequence: choose a frame that fits the mat, wipe the glass, stack backing-art-mat in order, close and secure the back, center the hanger, and level the hang. That’s the whole job, whether the frame holds a family photo or a gallery print.
References & Sources
- Adobe Express. “Add Frames to Your Photos for Free in Minutes.” Official tool for adding borders and frames to photos online.
- IKEA. “Finding the Right Picture Frame.” Step-by-step guidance on measuring and assembling frames.
- Wikipedia. “Picture Frame.” Overview of framing terminology and common size standards.
FAQs
What’s the difference between frame size and mat opening?
Frame size refers to the glass or backing sheet that fits in the frame. The mat opening is the visible cutout where your art shows through, and it’s always smaller than the frame size. Knowing both measurements prevents the most common framing mistake: buying a frame that fits the art but a mat that crops it unexpectedly.
Can I frame a picture without a mat?
Yes. A mat is optional and mostly aesthetic—it creates breathing room between the art and the frame edge. Without a mat, the art sits directly against the glass, which can cause sticking over time for some prints. If you skip the mat, make sure the frame depth accommodates the artwork thickness.
Is it better to use a custom frame or a ready-made one?
Ready-made frames work well for standard sizes like 8×10 or 11×14 and cost far less. Custom framing makes sense for irregular sizes, valuable pieces, or when you want specific mat colors and profiles. For a standard print, a quality ready-made frame with a decent mat is usually the smarter buy.