Pat McNulty is a scenic landscape and wildlife photographer. McNulty has extensive experience integrating framed photographic images into home decor. He has extensive experience with framing artwork, and has decided to share some of the hard-won lessons he learned along the way:

1. Framing pictures can be a difficult proposition, but it is worth the effort as you want to preserve art so it is kept safe for years to come. It can even be fun, if you know what to do.

2. Select an photo image. It should be something you find personally appealing or valuable, since you will be living with it for a long time. A photo can either be placed in a mat, or directly into a frame. It is your choice.

3. The next step is to find a mat and a frame. Take a look at an arts and crafts store near you. They often have sales on frames and pre-cut mats. Some stores we recommend: Michael’s, AC Moore, Deck the Walls, and Franks Nursery and Crafts. Most of these stores offer 11 x 14 pre-cut acid free mats for 8 x 10 pictures and 16 x 20 pre-cut acid free mats for 11 x 14 pictures.

4. Select a frame that will complement the color scheme in the room you intend to hang the picture.

5. For choosing a mat, the general rule of thumb is that a mat should be wider than the picture frame. You can choose a double mat, where the inside border of the mat brings out a color in a picture or artwork. For example, with black & white pictures – a thin black frame goes well with a white or grey mat that has a black inside border. For sunset pictures, a red frame goes well with a white or cream colored mat that has a red inside border.

6. Simply done or elaborately contrived, the mat must complement the artwork and not detract from it. Matting can be an art in itself. The mat color or frame should enhance the artwork. To prevent damage to the photograph, only acid-free board should be used. The best mat board is made of 100% rag.

8. In choosing a mat and frame, see how each one will give you a different look. The mat and frame should enhance the picture or artwork. A benefit of using a mat is that it provides a buffer or space between the picture and the glass.

9. In the following steps we will be taping the picture to the back of the acid free back board or acid free foam board. This technique should help prevent your picture from developing any ripples. ( The acid free back board is best for framing , but may need to be purchased separately at a craft store.)

10. To start off take 2 pieces of Scotch ( Photo and Document Tape single sided) tape about 1 inch long, and make a T shape, sticky side to sticky side . The sticky side of the T shape will be in opposite directions. ( Do not use masking tape) You will be using two T shapes of tape to anchor to the top of the picture to the back board.

11. Take the vertical portion of the tape, placing the tape on the right side of the top of the back of the picture. The horizontal portion of the tape should be close to the edge of the picture, but not touching the picture.

12. Now make a second T shape and repeat the above step, placing it on the left side of the back of the picture. Now you will have two T shapes on the right and left side of the top of the picture.

13. Center the picture on the back of the board. Tape lightly in place. Put the mat lightly overtop.

14. With the picture centered on the inside of the mat, take the two horizontal portions of the T shape and tape it to the back of the board.

15. Place the mat on a clean surface.

16. Follow any additional assembly instructions that came with your picture frame.

17. Hang your picture on the wall and Enjoy!

You can view other free framing articles and tips for arranging artwork at the photograph's website. The artist offers free screensavers along with affordable prices for beautiful pictures. Mr. McNulty’s web site www.premierphotographer.com offers some of the finest fine art photography available online. You can reach Pat McNulty at 610-395-1834 or via e-mail at webmaster@premierphotographer.com

Take a look at www.premierphotographer.com for several other free articles on framing and arranging artwork, along with free decorating articles.

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