AboutSara Tro Expertise I am a professional custom picture framer and designer. I have experience in all areas of
picture framing, and own my own custom framing shop. I can answer questions relating
to the design of a piece, the preservation of the artwork, color theory, photograph
restoration, decor, art placement, room balancing and installation questions.
Experience I have owned my own retail custom frame shop for 4 years, and managed a high-end shop before that for 5.5 years. I worked for a professional restorer and archivist for 8 months prior to the management position. I am also a fine artist myself, with a BFA in Photography and Printmaking, and have been framing my own work for years and years.
Education/Credentials BFA Fine Arts, NYSCC at Alfred University, NY
Expert: Sara Tro Date: 5/3/2008 Subject: comparing the mat width to the frame width
Question Hello-
I am custom framing an 11x14 wedding photograph, and I would like to know how wide the mat should be in proportion to the width of the frame. I don't know if the mat should be more narrow, the same width, or wider than the frame width. The frame I have picked out is about 2" in width, it is black, and the mat is white. I want to avoid having too much of a white border, but I don't want to have too small of a mat either. Can you help? Thanks so much - I am horrible when it comes to art and colors, etc.
Answer hi Andrea!
thanks for the question!
so, I have developed a strong opinion over the years about the mat width vs. frame width debate, so I'll try to answer your question with the most open mind that I can!
I almost always recommend that the visual mat width be either wider OR smaller than the frame width, but not the same size. If the frame and mat are the same visual width, it creates a strange "stripe" effect around the piece and it becomes very linear. Its almost subconscious, but especially on photographs if people, it can be distracting. There are times when it can work as an added linear effect, but usually its not a food idea, in my humblest opinion.
In your case, i'd probably opt to go wider on the mat, as the photo could look "crowded" in a dark, wider frame without enough breathing room around it. If the frame is 2" wide I'd go for about 3" of visual mat on the top and sides, and about 3-1/4" on the bottom. By visual width I mean the part you see, (there is some matting that disappears under the lip of the frame, so add the "frame-lip-width" to the 3" to make a visual 3" mat).. (hope that makes sense:)
You can also make the matting smaller than the frame width, but I usually go for larger unless the photo or art is floating above the mat. If the mat is too small, the frame will look overpowering on the photo.
Does the photo have lots of dark, heavier areas in it, or would you say it is well balanced or lighter in tonal range? If its darker in general, it can withstand being closer to a heavier frame, but I may suggest going with a soft grey mat instead of brighter white. A softer transition from frame to photo makes the matting less of a linear boundary around the art, due to the contrast between it and the frame.
if you want to give it a more vertical feeling, (if the photo is you two standing together, full head to toe shot, then I'd add an 1/8th" to the top of the mat and another 1/8th" to the bottom, just to give it some good verticality. (its barely detectable, but makes things look "right" and not off somehow.
If you go for a smaller mat, I'd go for around 1-7/8" total on the top and sides, and 2-1/8" on the bottom. Some of the mat will hide under the lip of the frame, which us what we want in thus case.
I hope this helps some.. Feel free to write again with follow-up:)
Best of luck with your project, and thanks again for the great question!
Congrats on your marriage!
Sara
