Purchase individual pre-cut mats or use the mat that came with your frame. Lay the mat over top of your artwork to make sure the size is correct. If you need to adjust the size, you can cut the mat as needed. Most store-bought frames will include a mat and a sample photo. Take off your frame’s backing, and remove the mat so you can mount your artwork to it. You can either get a custom mat cut for you at a frame shop or craft store, or you can cut your own. If you want a professional framer to cut your mat, bring your frame and your artwork with you to the store. Ask the employees to help you cut a mat to a particular size. You can lay your frame on top of your mat to use it as a stencil. Trace the size of your frame onto your mat board, and use an X-ACTO knife to cut out all 4 sides. If you do not cut all the way through with 1 motion, make 2 cuts with your blade for clean, thorough cuts. You will need to cut a window into your mat board, if it isn't already pre-cut. Use a ruler to measure to the closest 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm). Make light but clear marks with a pencil. You will hide any pencil marks left over after you make your cuts by tracing onto the back.  Extend your lines beyond just your artwork area if you need help seeing where to end your measurements. You can also add a little room to the bottom of your mat for a more professional look. This is referred to as  “weighing the bottom,” a matting technique where you leave 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 in (0.64 to 1.27 cm) at the bottom so it is your thickest side. Make sure your ruler is straight and completely parallel to your line. Cut all 4 lines using steady, firm pressure to create a window in your mat board.  Metal rulers tend to cut the most smooth and accurate lines. When you are approaching the end of your measurement line, cut with care so you don’t cut too much of your mat board. Repeat for all 4 sides of your mat board. Flip over your mat board so it faces the front, and line it up with your artwork. Are the edges of your mat board straight? Is your image cropped correctly? If not, make adjustments as needed. You can cut more of your mat to display more of your art or to even out your edges. Be careful to not over-trim your mat. You want your mat board to slightly overlap your artwork so the matting looks seamless and professional. In order to make sure everything aligns properly, you will want to place the mat board over the artwork. Use enough tape so that your artwork will be properly secured. If you want to preserve your artwork long-term, use acid-free tape. Acid-free tape will not cause damage or decay to your artwork. Press down firmly over where the tape is located to adhere the artwork to the mat board. If you only used one piece of tape, flip them aboard over and secure the top edge of the artwork to the mat board. You will only have to tape the top edge. You can insert your matted art directly into your frame, or you can attach it to a backing mat for extra security. Use double sided tape to attach your matted art to a backing mat, or create "homemade" double sided tape by sticking 2 piece of tape together to create a crossed "X" shape.  You can use the backing mat that came with your frame or another piece of mat board. A backing mat will keep your art in place and prevent it from potentially moving inside your frame. There are small metal or plastic hinges along your frame, holding the backing inside the frame. Move these to the side to unlock the frame using your fingers or a dull knife. You can also take off the frame backing and remove any artwork or mat board that came with it. There is an internal ledge inside your frame where you can place your art. Using your fingers or a tool, move the hinges back into place to secure the backing to the frame. Your frame is now ready to hang! If your frame came with a separate backing piece, place that inside the frame before you close up the frame.
استخدم قطعة ورق مقوى محددة القياس مسبقًا لتسهّل عليك الأمر. استخدم قطعة ورق مقوى مصنّعة خصيصًا لتناسب الحجم الذي تريده. قص الورق المقوى على نفس حجم الإطار خاصتك. قس عملك الفني حتى تحدد مساحة النافذة التي ستفرّغها من منتصف الورق المقوى. حدد قياسات العمل الفني خاصتك على خلفية لوح الورق المقوى. استخدم مسطرة معدنية وسكين X-acto لتفرّغ لوح الورق المقوى خاصتك. تفقد تناسق عملك الفني مع الورق المقوى على نفس الخطوط. ضع قطعة من الشريط اللاصق على ظهر عملك الفني بحيث يكون وجه العمل لأعلى. ضع لوح الورق المقوى فوق عملك الفني واضغط لأسفل. ثبت عملك الفني الملصق بالورق المقوى إلى لوح آخر من الورق المقوى للدعم إذا ما أردت ذلك. حرّك المفاصل المتواجدة على ظهر الإطار بعيدًا عن المدخل. أدخِل عملك الفني الملصق بالورق المقوى داخل الإطار ثم ثبّت الظهر بالمفاصل.