Framing Your Art: Tips from a Hands-On Workshop

A few days ago, I attended a brilliant hands-on workshop about framing your art at Redcar Contemporary Art Gallery.

It’s right here in the heart of Redcar, Teesside, in the North East of England, and if you’ve read my recent post “Art Gallery Destinations UK: Discover Hidden Gems“, you’ll know I’m becoming quite fond of this place.

This friendly, cosy gallery has a real commitment to supporting both artists and the local community. They regularly run practical workshops like this one, which are absolutely worth attending.

As someone who spends most of my time thinking about colour and texture in my abstract paintings, I’ll admit that framing your art has always felt like an afterthought.

But this workshop made me realise I’ve been doing myself a disservice. The right frame doesn’t just make your work look professional, it actually protects it too.

Why Framing Matters

You might wonder why bother learning to frame your own art when you could just take everything to a professional framer. Well, two thoughts come to mind.

First, there’s something quite satisfying about mastering DIY art framing. Plus, if you’re creating regularly, professional framing costs can add up quickly. Learning basic picture framing tips means you can prepare pieces for exhibitions without breaking the bank.

I’ve been framing many of my abstract paintings myself for years now. I’ve even touched on caring for framed artwork in my post “14 Tips: Taking Care of Your Art” and I include those essential tips as a free PDF with every painting I sell.

But let’s be clear, framing your art isn’t just about saving money. It’s about preservation and professionalism. Whether you’re exhibiting, selling or gifting your artwork, a well-constructed frame can transform the entire presentation.

The workshop instructor was brilliant at explaining how proper framing techniques prevent damage from humidity, dust and those nasty UV rays that fade colours over time.

He showed us examples of different framing materials and how seemingly small details, like the grain direction of wood and mats, can make a huge difference to quality framing. It was genuinely eye-opening.

He also explained key points about museum-quality framing techniques that help artists present their work professionally in galleries. These are the secrets behind creating an exhibition-ready presentation that makes a strong first impression.

Understanding Different Woods for Frames

We started by discussing the different woods used for frames. I had no idea there was so much to consider when choosing the best wood for art frames.

Hardwoods like oak and ash are gorgeous and incredibly strong. They don’t warp easily, which makes them perfect for larger pieces or anything you’re planning to keep for years. The grain patterns can be stunning too, though sometimes they compete with the artwork itself.

Softwoods like pine are much more budget-friendly and easier to work with if you’re just starting out. They’re perfect for experimenting with custom art frames without worrying about wasting expensive materials.

Mat Boards: More Than Just a Border

This section was genuinely fascinating. I thought mats were just decorative borders, but they’re actually doing serious work protecting your art.

Choosing the right mat board involves considering the material, core and grain direction. All play crucial roles in presentation and preservation.

Archival-quality and acid-free mats are essential to prevent discolouration and deterioration of your artwork over time. This isn’t optional if you care about your work lasting.

Cotton rag board is apparently the gold standard. It’s made from 100% cotton fibres, naturally acid-free and will keep your work safe for decades. Yes, it costs more, but for pieces you care about, it’s worth every penny.

Wood pulp mats are the budget option, but you must make sure they’re acid-free and buffered. The instructor showed us artwork examples of mounted artwork and explained about acidic mats and the potential effects of browning and staining the artwork.

In short, if you want museum-quality framing, you need to think about art preservation techniques from the start.

Adhesives and Archival Tapes

Another vital area we covered was how to attach artwork to mats and backing boards.

Acid-free materials are non-negotiable. Everything that touches your artwork, including mats, backing boards and even the tape, needs to be archival quality. It sounds fussy, but I’ve seen what happens when you skip this step.

Mounting artwork properly is an art in itself. The instructor showed us how to use archival hinging tapes and how to attach pieces so they can expand and contract naturally with temperature changes. Clever stuff.

Archival Adhesive Tape Types

There are two main types of archival tapes for mounting paper artwork I’m aware of:

Self-Adhesive (Pressure Sensitive) Archival Tape:

• Ready to use – simply peel and stick
• Activates with light pressure, no water or heat needed
• Quality versions are acid-free to prevent damage and yellowing over time
• Less reversible as removal typically requires solvents
• Perfect for photographs or prints where water contact should be avoided

Gummed (Water-Activated) Archival Tape:

• Requires water to activate the adhesive
• Also acid-free and designed for conservation
• Main advantage is reversibility – can be removed by reapplying water
• Preferred for conservation work and heavier artwork

Both types come in various materials like paper, linen or cotton rag. For the highest level of conservation, cotton rag gummed tapes are sometimes used.

The Art of Accurate Measurement and Cutting

The instructor emphasised the importance of measuring and cutting both mats and wooden frame parts accurately. As they say in woodworking: “Measure Twice, Cut Once.”

This is such an important step and I know from experience it takes considerable time and precision.

I clearly remember making a double wooden frame for one of my abstract paintings, “Summer of 1970 Something“. Making accurate mitre cuts manually took ages, and I can tell you it wasn’t easy.

I knew I needed to use an electric saw, but I didn’t have space for a proper workshop. And I wouldn’t use power tools inside my studio because of the dust.

Mat Board Bevel Cutting

The class was divided into smaller groups for practical bevel cutting sessions. Bevel cutting creates beautiful, smooth angled edges that add real depth to the presentation.

I’m familiar with the technique of using manual mat cutting kits, but the instructor demonstrated using professional, expensive equipment. The technique is simple, yet it needs precision and accuracy to avoid over-cutting or under-cutting.

Yes, it takes practice, but once you master it, your work looks so much more professional.

I was impressed with the instructor’s deep knowledge of different woods and mat boards, plus their properties and characteristics.

Joining the Frame: Tools and Techniques

Another instructor explained the techniques and tools needed for smooth, accurate 45-degree mitre cuts. It’s simple in theory, but like everything in art, regular practice matters. Even a small fraction of error can create an uneven frame.

To assemble our wooden frames, we used this simple but effective setup:

• Ready mitre-cut wooden frame pieces
• A mitre clamp to hold corners together securely
• A magnetic-tipped V-nail driver with a hammer to insert V-nails

Environmental Considerations

I’m always conscious about using sustainable materials for my art, particularly wood and paper. I try my best to choose certified, sustainable sources.

Certified sources like those approved by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) ensure forests are managed responsibly. They prevent deforestation, protect biodiversity and support local communities’ livelihoods.

Workshop Key Takeaways

That was our workshop – short, precise, but thoroughly enjoyable. It offered far more than I expected and gave me a greater appreciation for the craft behind framing your art. From choosing the right materials to precision cutting, I now see how framing is a direct extension of the artistic process.

Here are my key takeaways:

1. Expert instruction: The instructors explained everything in simple, clear language. No fancy, complicated art terminology, just practical knowledge you can actually use.
2. Excellent venue: Professional, friendly and welcoming. I’m becoming more familiar with Redcar Contemporary Art Gallery and some of its team. This was my third visit and I’m sure there’ll be many more.
3. Perfect workshop topic: Although I’m familiar with framing my abstract pieces, I usually seek professional framers for enhanced presentation and preservation. Three pieces of information particularly stood out:

• Understanding all framing materials is vital, especially their properties and characteristics
• Accurate precision in measuring and cutting is non-negotiable
• Professional frames definitely enhance presentation, artwork value and the artist’s reputation

4. Different media needs: Oils, watercolours and pastels, for example, each requires different framing approaches.
5. DIY vs professional reality: I’ll be honest, this workshop made me respect professional framers even more. While I can handle basic framing for studio pieces and smaller exhibitions, there are times when you need expert help.

For important exhibitions, valuable pieces or complex mounting jobs, professional framers have tools and experience I simply don’t. They understand conservation techniques, can handle unusual sizes and know how to work with challenging materials.

But for everyday studio work, gift pieces or local shows, having DIY skills is brilliant. It gives you control over timing and costs, plus there’s real satisfaction in presenting your work beautifully from start to finish.

In short, I now have more knowledge to discuss my framing requirements intelligently with professional framers.

What About You?

Do you frame your own artwork, or do you prefer leaving it to the professionals? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Drop a comment below and let me know what works for you.