Susie Perring

Mounts

Be generous with the mount so it won't cramp the image. Even a small (10cm) image looks good in a 30 cm frame – try it!

Cut the mount to leave some paper around the image itself - about 5% of its size on each side.

Don’t cut the mount to centre the image in the frame. (Framers should know this).

An optical illusion makes it look too low to the eye if it’s plumb centre.

So move it upwards (off centre) at least 1 cm and up to 3 cm or more in big frames.

A bevelled mount looks classy and helps frame the image.

Framing

The purpose of framing is to help the image speak for itself, so the viewer enjoys looking at the print – not the frame.

Here are some pointers:

Only use narrow frames in small spaces - elsewhere the image gets lost on the wall.

Use 2 cm width at least for a small print; always buy wood, never plastic.

On larger prints frames can be 3 cm wide or a little more – but don’t let it dominate: keep it simple!

 

Hanging

Balance the whole space where you are hanging (wall, hallway, rest room?).

Imagine what the eye will take in and how to achieve the best impact for your purchase.

Small works look better in groups of 3 or 4 - so just buy more! They get lost on their own.
Frame all groups in the same way.

Experiment –  get someone to hang and someone to look.

See these tips in action by clicking on ‘View Framed’ when looking at an image.