How to choose a mount
A mount (the card border between the picture and the frame) does two jobs: it gives the artwork space to breathe and it keeps the picture off the glass. Choosing the colour and width well is the single biggest thing that makes framing look considered rather than cramped.
Colour: let the picture lead
The safest and usually best approach is to pick a mount colour from within the artwork itself — a quiet tone that already appears in the picture. Off-white and cream suit most work and don't date. Stronger colours can lift a piece, but they pull attention, so they're best used as a thin inner line on a double mount rather than the whole border.
A common mistake is matching the mount to the room's walls or sofa. Match it to the picture; the picture is what you'll still be looking at when the sofa is gone.
Width: more than you think
A generous mount almost always looks better than a mean one. As a rough starting point, the border is often wider than people expect — a small print can carry a border of 5–8 cm comfortably, and larger work proportionally more. Wide borders read as gallery-like; narrow ones can feel like the frame is squeezing the picture.
Many framers also drop the bottom border very slightly deeper than the top and sides (a 'weighted' mount) so the picture sits optically centred rather than looking like it's sliding down.
Single or double mount?
A single mount is one card with one bevelled window. A double mount adds a second card underneath, showing a thin line of a second colour around the opening. That thin line is a great way to introduce an accent colour or simply add a sense of depth and quality without overwhelming the work.
For limited-edition prints and anything you're framing to keep, the mount should be acid-free — see our guide to conservation framing.
The bevel
The angled white edge you see around a cut mount window is the bevel. A clean, crisp bevel cut is a mark of good mounting. On conservation work the core of the board is the same acid-free material throughout, so the bevel stays white rather than yellowing.
Bring your piece in. Every job is different. Call in at 121 Victoria Road, Ferndown, or ring 01202 890690 — advice and quotes are free.
Frequently asked
What colour mount goes with everything?
A soft off-white or cream is the most versatile and suits the majority of artwork without dating. Pick the exact shade against your picture rather than from a swatch alone.
How wide should a mount be?
Wider than most people first suggest. A small picture often suits a 5–8 cm border, with larger works taking proportionally more. We'll hold options against your piece so you can see it.
Can I have more than one opening in a mount?
Yes. Multi-aperture mounts hold several photographs or pictures in one frame, cut to your layout. They're popular for family photos and sets of prints.