{"id":3515,"date":"2019-07-05T08:00:08","date_gmt":"2019-07-05T12:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/blog\/?p=3515"},"modified":"2024-10-07T15:47:14","modified_gmt":"2024-10-07T19:47:14","slug":"how-to-frame-small-art","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/how-to-frame-small-art\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Frame Small Art (Art Smaller than 5&#8243; x 5&#8243;)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" src=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0021-1280x853.jpg\" alt=\"Triple picture frames in gold with matting on mantle\" class=\"wp-image-3717\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0021.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0021-700x466.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0021-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Not sure how to frame small art prints or small photographs? Perhaps a Polaroid picture, photo booth strip, business card, movie\/concert ticket stub, greeting card, or miniature original piece of art?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While here at Frame It Easy the smallest &#8220;Art Size&#8221; our frame designer will allow is 5&#8243; x 5&#8243; (the smallest frame rails our operators can safely cut!), you can still frame smaller art by adding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/outer-frame-art-print-sizes\/\">custom matting<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here we&#8217;ll give you an easy, step-by-step tutorial on how to order a custom-sized mat for framing smaller art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" src=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0018-1280x853.jpg\" alt=\"Art with white matting in gold frame next to candle and flower\" class=\"wp-image-3709\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0018.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0018-700x466.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0018-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"step-1-measure-the-size-of-your-art-then-subtract-12-from-each-dimension\">Step 1: Measure the Size of Your Art, Then Subtract 1\/2&#8243; From Each Dimension<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"853\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0002-853x1280.jpg\" alt=\"Small abstract art\" class=\"wp-image-3693\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0002-853x1280.jpg 853w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0002-700x1050.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0002-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0002.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The first thing to do when looking to frame small art (or any art!) is to measure its dimensions, in inches, width by height.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you need some more guidance here, be sure to check out our post on <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"properly measuring your art for framing (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/how-to-measure-art-framing\/\" target=\"_blank\">properly measuring your art for framing<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Essential Guide to Measuring Art For Framing\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6VW05Y3Zauc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The only extra step as far as measuring goes will be to <strong>subtract 1\/2&#8243; from each dimension<\/strong>. So if your art measures 2&#8243; x 3 1\/2&#8243;, you&#8217;ll want to use 1 1\/2&#8243; x 3&#8243;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(This is so that the inside edge of the mat will cover your art by 1\/4&#8243;, which will prevent your art from &#8220;falling through&#8221; the mat. <em>Note: If you order a full frame through our <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/\">frame designer<\/a> without separate, specialty matting, we will automatically adjust for the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"1\/4&quot; overlap (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/custom-picture-framing-quarter-inch-overlap\/\" target=\"_blank\">1\/4&#8243; overlap<\/a>. You only need to manually change your art size measurements to achieve a very specific look, as in the case of framing smaller art.<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>**Since your art is already on the smaller side, if 1\/4&#8243; is too much of an overlap, you can also choose to subtract only 1\/4&#8243; from each dimension to lessen the overlap to 1\/8&#8243;. This is the least amount of overlap we recommend, as you still need some sort of &#8220;edge&#8221; to hold your art in place!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"step-2-order-matting-from-our-accessories-page\">Step 2: Order Matting From Our Accessories Page<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"853\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0005-853x1280.jpg\" alt=\"white matboard\" class=\"wp-image-3700\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0005-853x1280.jpg 853w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0005-700x1050.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0005-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0005.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you have subtracted the 1\/2&#8243; from each dimension, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/matboards\">enter these numbers as the inside dimensions of your matboard on our accessories page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So again, if your art measures 2&#8243; x 3 1\/2&#8243;, you&#8217;ll enter 1 1\/2&#8243; as the Inside Width, and 3&#8243; as the Inside Height.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, choose the outside dimensions of your matting \u2014 this will determine how thick your matting is on each side, so consider if you want something thicker or thinner (keeping in mind the minimum is 5&#8243; x 5&#8243;, and the sizing must be at least 2&#8243; larger than inside dimensions).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also choose to enter the dimensions you&#8217;d prefer your overall frame to be, so if you want a frame around 8&#8243; x 10&#8243; you can enter 8&#8243; for the Outside Width and 10&#8243; for the Outside Height.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you&#8217;re happy with your size and color selection, add the matting to your cart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"step-3-design-your-frame-and-enter-the-outside-mat-dimensions-into-art-size-field\">Step 3: Design Your Frame and Enter the Outside Mat Dimensions into &#8220;Art Size&#8221; Field<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" src=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0011-1280x853.jpg\" alt=\"matted art with gold frame\" class=\"wp-image-3702\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0011.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0011-700x466.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0011-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Now take those same Outside Dimensions \u2014&nbsp;in our example case 8&#8243; x 10&#8243; \u2014 and use these as the &#8220;Art Size&#8221; dimensions in our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/\">frame designer<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Choose your style frame and cover type (no need to add matting here!), then add to your cart &amp; purchase along with the separate matting. (*You may also want to add some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/accessories#accessory-framers-tape\">Framer&#8217;s Tape<\/a> to your order, as noted in the next step!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"step-4-mount-frame-small-art-with-ease\">Step 4: Mount &amp; Frame Small Art With Ease<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" src=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0006-1280x853.jpg\" alt=\"t-hinge mount for art\" class=\"wp-image-3701\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0006.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0006-700x466.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0006-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" src=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0014-1280x853.jpg\" alt=\"art with matting\" class=\"wp-image-3705\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0014.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0014-700x466.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0014-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"853\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0013-853x1280.jpg\" alt=\"diy picture frame\" class=\"wp-image-3704\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0013-853x1280.jpg 853w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0013-700x1050.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0013-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0013.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"853\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0016-853x1280.jpg\" alt=\"diy picture frame\" class=\"wp-image-3707\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0016-853x1280.jpg 853w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0016-700x1050.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0016-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0016.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Once your frame and mat arrive at your door, follow our assembly instructions for either <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"wood frame assembly (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/answers\/wood-frame-assembly\" target=\"_blank\">wood frame assembly<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/answers\/metal-frame-assembly\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"metal frame assembly (opens in a new tab)\">metal frame assembly<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/accessories#accessory-framers-tape\">Framer&#8217;s Tape<\/a> to safely mount your art to the matting using the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GAV6XQvMB3c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"T-Hinge Method (opens in a new tab)\">T-Hinge Method<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And there you have it \u2014&nbsp;a beautiful <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">custom frame<\/a> with a striking mat to showcase your small piece of art. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"853\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0027-853x1280.jpg\" alt=\"gold picture frame with white matting\" class=\"wp-image-3718\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0027-853x1280.jpg 853w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0027-700x1050.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0027-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Frame-It-Easy_7_1_0027.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image hide\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"735\" height=\"1102\" src=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/How-to-Frame-Small-Art.jpg\" alt=\"How to Frame Small Art\" class=\"wp-image-3761\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/How-to-Frame-Small-Art.jpg 735w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/How-to-Frame-Small-Art-700x1050.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 735px) 100vw, 735px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Looking to frame art smaller than 5&#8243;x5&#8243;? We&#8217;ve got the step by step guide!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3708,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[3901,3928,3897],"class_list":["post-3515","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-how-tos","tag-art-styles","tag-art-tips","tag-niche"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3515","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3515"}],"version-history":[{"count":27,"href":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3515\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28110,"href":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3515\/revisions\/28110"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3708"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3515"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3515"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3515"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}