
What do I need to start framing?
What do I need to start framing? Perhaps you want to try framing before you invest in a lot of machinery and equipment? Maybe you just fancy picture framing as a hobby, or you want to frame your own art or photography?
In that case, perhaps the question is not “What do I need to start picture framing?” but rather, “What’s the minimum I need to start picture framing?” The answer may surprise you. To start picture framing, you don’t actually need a lot in terms of equipment. What you will need is a little know-how. Unfortunately, the know-how is the hard bit. Let me explain:
What equipment do I need to start picture framing?
At its most basic, picture framing involves cutting a mount to its overall (outer) size and cutting a window aperture in it; cutting four pieces of frame moulding to the correct size for the mount; joining the moulding together; cutting glass and backing board to size; securing the frame components into the cut frame; sealing the back of the frame with tape; and finally, fitting hanging fittings and hanging cord. That might seem like a lot of skills to acquire, and if you want to do it all yourself, you will also need a good deal of equipment, especially if you want to do a good job.
However, the process of starting up in picture framing can be much simpler, and the initial investment much less, because many picture framing suppliers will do a lot of the legwork for you by providing cut-to-size window mounts, glazing, and backing board. Even picture frame moulding is available on chop (cut to size). Having said that, you will still need to be able to assemble the frame, clean the glazing, insert and secure the mount, artwork, and backing board, seal the frame, and fit the hanging fitting and cord. This is where the know-how comes in.
If you’d like to dive deeper into learning the ins and outs of picture framing, we offer a Novice Picture Framing Training Course that can help you build the skills you need.
How to order cut to size picture framing materials.
If you order all of your framing materials pre-cut, the most complicated aspect will be getting the measurements right, including mount overlap, material expansion allowances, and joining the frame. Let’s cover each of those one at a time:
Correctly sizing a picture frame window mount.
In most cases, for example, on an A4 piece of artwork, mount overlap is approximately 5mm both vertically and horizontally. To clarify, that’s 2.5mm on each edge. This should be increased for larger images and pieces on thinner paper, and decreased for very small images.

Correct sizing for picture framing mounts, glass and backing board.
It is important to understand that the materials within a picture frame should not fit snugly and that space should be allowed for potential expansion. The recommendations of the Fine Art Trade Guild are that board products (e.g., mount, undermount, and backing board) should be 1mm to 3mm smaller than the frame, and that glass should be 1mm to 2mm smaller than the frame.
The logic behind this is that mount boards will expand more readily due to temperature and humidity changes than glass will. Therefore, when you order your materials cut to size, the internal frame moulding size needs to be bigger than the outer glass and board size.
Suppliers make this easy by providing a tick box when ordering cut-to-size (chop) frame moulding, that tells them whether you are ordering the “exact” internal size of the picture frame moulding you require or the “glass” size. If you select the “glass” size option, they will automatically allow a few extra millimetres for expansion.
Joining picture frame moulding without an underpinner.
Normally, joining pieces of cut frame moulding properly requires an underpinner. This tool inserts V-shaped wedges (or V-nails) into the corners of the underside of a frame, where two pieces of a frame moulding join. Along with glue, these hold the frame corners together. There are lots of different types of underpinners available, from DIY frame joiners, which start at around £275 (including VAT), to frame joining robots, which are marginally more expensive at between £100,000 and £200,000.
Of course, the option you choose will depend on your intentions and budget: Are you framing for fun, or thinking of setting up a framing business? However, even this decision can be delayed, because there’s one more thing that will make your life easier and mean you have to invest a little less while you’re deciding if framing is for you. Some of the suppliers that offer a frame chop service also offer ‘routing’. If a frame is routed, small holes are cut into the underside of the corners of the frame moulding. These holes allow you to join the frame by putting the sections together and inserting hard plastic inserts (also supplied) into the holes. Along with a thin layer of wood glue and a band clamp, these can hold a frame together very well. Frame routing is an option used by many professional framers.
To learn more about frame assembly and related techniques, visit our Framing Technique courses.
Assembling the pieces of a picture frame.
Now that we’ve covered how to cut and join a picture frame without any machinery, you still need to be able to clean the glazing, insert and secure the mount, artwork, and backing board, seal the frame, and fit the hanging fittings and cord. At face value, some of this is fairly obvious and easily worked out from looking at and taking apart other frames. For example, fitting hanging fittings like D-rings only involves screwing them into place about a third of the way down the back of the frame.
However, that doesn’t help when the frame moulding is too narrow for fittings like D-rings. The other issue is that aspects such as how to attach the artwork to the mount are less easily discovered, simply because it is, sadly, rare to find a framed example where this has been done properly. Taping artwork to a window mount along the top edge or around all four sides really isn’t the answer and will cause the artwork to cockle and buckle (wrinkle). My blog, How to Mount Art & Photography, will tell you the right way to mount art on paper. But it doesn’t cover every scenario. Nor will it tell you when you’re making mistakes. The only things that will do that are a great deal of research, trial and error, or a good hands-on framing course.
By all means, start off by yourself. If you’re just framing for fun, trial and error might be part of the enjoyment, and I hope the information here will make that process a little easier. If you’d like to dive deeper into learning the ins and outs of picture framing, we offer a Novice Picture Framing Training Course that can help you build the skills you need. You might still be wondering what do I need to start framing? This course is designed to guide you through the essential techniques, tools, and materials to get started.
For expert advice on professional framing, you might find The Fine Art Trade Guild a valuable resource.