Finding that your matted artwork won’t fit in your frame can be pretty frustrating. In most cases single mats and mounts will fit in a frame, However, if you have bought ready made frames from a store or are using more than a single mat, it is best to measure your components before you begin fitting. In order to know if your art will fit in the frame of your choice, you need to measure the art package.

What is an art package? It consists of:

• Glazing (acrylic or glass)
• Mat with window or mat blank
• Art or photo
• Mountboard

Why is it important to know the size of your art package?

• So the package will fit within the depth of your frame

How do you measure it?

• Start by determining the size of your frame’s rabbet, (The rabbet is depth of the space within the frame from just under the lip to the back of the moulding).
• The art package should add up to a dimension that’s less than the rabbet.
• Add the thickness of each component of the art package using these guidelines:
  • The thickness of framing-quality acrylic or glass is usually 1/8” (or .125)
  • Standard, 4 ply mats are usually 1/16” (or .0625). Don’t forget to double this if you’re using a double mat or 8 ply mat.
  • Artwork doesn’t usually add any thickness to the package (unless it’s 3D or a really thick and wavy paper), so no need to add anything for this component.
  • Mountboard varies in thickness.
  • Our foam board measures either 1/8” (.125) or 3/16” (.1875).
  • Economy Backing Board is 1/16” (.0625)
  • 4UB is 3/32” (.09375).

• For example: Acrylic (1/8  – change to 2/16 (you can only add like fractions) + Single Mat (1/16)  + Economy Backing Board (1/16)  = total 4/16, which is the same as 1/4″. This is the size of your art package dimension.