The Perfect Frame and Passepartout for Your Artwork: A Guide

As an artist, my goal is to not only provide you with beautiful artwork but also to help you showcase it to optimum effect. An important aspect of this is choosing the right frame and mat. Here, I would like to offer some tips and advice on how to make the right choice.

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Frame and Passepartout via bga.eu for

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The Mat: More than just decoration

The mat is an enhancing element when framing a piece of artwork. It is a decorative piece of cardboard that highlights the artwork within the frame and simultaneously serves as a protective barrier between the artwork and the glass of the frame.

The visual impact of the mat

Mats are available in various widths, e.g., 3 cm, 5 cm, or even 10 cm. The choice of width depends on your personal taste and can greatly influence the visual impact of the artwork within the frame. A mat makes the artwork appear larger and takes up more space within the frame.

Design options

Do you like having a white border around the print you see AND a passepartout?

Or do you prefer not to see the white border at all?

Calculating the size of the mat and frame

The size of your picture is crucial in determining the right size for the mat and the frame.

When buying a frame, the inner dimension for the picture is usually given. If a mat is desired, its width must be added to prevent the artwork from being covered.

Take, for example, a Print in A3 format that measures 42 x 29.7 cm.

Our prints already have a 1cm white border around the edge. So the printed area is 40 x 27.7 cm.

If you choose a 3 cm wide mat, we add 2 x 3 cm to the width and the height.

So we're looking for a frame with internal dimensions of 46x33.7cm (40+3+3 for height and 27.7+3+3 for width) if you don't want to see the white border.

Enhancing wooden frames with color

You can also take a simple wooden frame and paint it in the color of your choice so that the frame matches your decor. In my example, I have transformed a black wooden frame with turquoise acrylic paint and then clear lacquer to match both the picture and my style.

The right protection: Glass or plastic?

There are different types of glass, including standard glass, anti-reflective glass, and UV-protected glass. Each type of glass has its advantages and should be chosen depending on the requirements of the location and the presentation of the artwork.

In cheaper frames, plastic is often used, making the frame lighter and more shatterproof. The downside is that plastic scratches more easily and may not offer the same clarity or brilliance as glass. Plus, plastic can yellow over time.

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Elegant Scandinavian design decoration items - BGASTORE.ES

Frame with Passepartout via bga.store suitable for

A3+ image size: 
(32.9 x 48.3 cm with 1 cm white border | printed area: 30.9 x 46.3 cm)
Frame 40x60 + Picture Mount 40x60 cm (31,9x47,3 - A3+)
Frame oak 40x60 with picture mount

A3 image size: 
(29.7 x 42 cm with 1 cm white border | printed area: 27.7 x 40 cm)
Frame 40x50 + Picture mount 40x50 cm (28,7x41 - A3)
Frame oak 40x50 with picture mount

A4 image size: 
(21 x 29.7 cm with 1 cm white border | printed area: 19 x 27.7 cm)
Frame 30x40 + Picture mount 30x40 cm (20x28,7 - A4)
Frame oak 30x40 with Picture mount

I hope this guide helps you make the best decisions when framing your artwork. If you have further questions, I am of course available to help.