How to Mat and Mount Your Art/Photograph in Under 5 Minutes

A smile is a great way to make a solid first impression.

And while your art can't smile, it can be matted, mounted, and framed.

Whether you're  matting and mounting to sell or matting and mounting for home decor, we've put together this guide to help you out.

How to Hinge Mount

When matting and mounting prints, this is our go-to method.

Why?

It is:

• low cost
• easy
• not permanent, easily remove art from mount + mat
• allows ample room for your art to naturally expand and contract (this prevents your art buckling)

Here's how you do it:

Step 1

Prepare your materials. You’ll need:

• A mat board
• A backing board
• Your artwork
• Linen hanging tape
• And a pair of scissors

Step 2

• Place your mat board and backing board so they’re side-by-side.
• Cut a piece of linen hanging tape of about 4” shorter than your mat board.
• Tape the mat board and backing board together

Step 3

Close the mat board on top of the backing board. It should be able to close like a book.

• Center the artwork underneath the mat window.
• Once you’re finished, place a paperweight on top of the artwork.

Step 4

Cut two pieces of linen hanging tape. Each should be about 2”.

Step 5

• Peel off the protective plastic off the tape.
• Then tape them together so you get a “T” shape. The horizontal “bar” of the T should be sticky side down while the vertical should be sticky side up. This is called a “T-hinge.”

Step 6

Create another T-hinge.

Step 7

• Find a spot at the top of your artwork 2-3 inches from the edge.
• Take a T-hinge and slide the sticky side up under your centered artwork to attach it.
• Then press down on sticky side down to tape the horizontal part of the T-hinge to the backing board.
• Take the other T-hinge and repeat on the other side.

Step 7

• With both T-hinges attached, you’re finished mounting your artwork. Close the mat board, remove the paperweight, and slide your artwork into the frame or show bag.

How to Mount Using Mount Corners

Mount corners are a great way to mount art prints.

Advantages;

• Mount your art print without any adhesive touching your art
• Can easily swap out artwork for another of the same size
• Archival and acid-free

Disadvantages:

• May be visible if correct size of mount corners aren't purchased (can opt to purchase cut-back corners instead)
• Slightly more expensive than hinge mounting

Step 1

Prepare your materials. You’ll need:

• A mat board
• A backing board
• Your artwork
• Mounting corners
• Linen hanging tape
• And a pair of scissors

Step 2

• Place your mat board and backing board so they’re side-by-side.
• Cut a piece of linen hanging tape of 4” shorter than your mat board.
• Tape the mat board and backing board together.

Step 3

• Close the mat board on top of the backing board. It should be able to close like a book.
• Center the artwork.
• Once you’re finished, place a paperweight on top of the artwork.

Step 4

• Pull out 2 pairs of mounting corners so you have 4 on hand.

Step 5

• Peel off a corner.
• Slide it onto your artwork.
• Press down to adhere the corner to the backing board.

Step 6

• Do the same for all the other corners
• Then remove the paperweight.

Step 7

Close the mat board. Now your print is ready to be framed!

How to Mount Using Mount Strips

Mount strips work much like mount corners. No adhesive ever touches your art. For larger pieces, consider using mount strips as well as mount corners for complete support.

Tip: Depending on the size of your artwork, mount strips can be cut in half or even into fourths and still provide the necessary support.

Step 1

Prepare your materials. You’ll need:

• A mat board
• A backing board
• Your artwork
• Archival mounting strips
• Linen hanging tape
• And a pair of scissors

Step 2

• Place your mat board and backing board so they’re side-by-side.
• Cut a piece of linen hanging tape of 4” shorter than the short side of your mat board.
• Tape the mat board and backing board together.

Step 3

• Close the mat board on top of the backing board. It should be able to close like a book.
• Center the artwork.
• Once you’re finished, place a paperweight on top of the artwork.

Step 4

Pull out 4 archival mounting strips.

Step 5

• Remove the protective plastic
• Slide a archival mounting strip across an edge of your artwork. Make sure the artwork rests in between the plastic and not between the adhesive.
• If there is any overlap with your artwork, cut it off with a pair of scissors.

• Repeat with the other 3 mount strips.

Step 6

Close the mat board to activate the adhesive and finish the mounting process.