{"id":7056154,"date":"2026-09-03T20:13:24","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T20:13:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/entertainment\/art\/how-to-frame-artwork-on-paper\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T20:13:24","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T20:13:24","slug":"how-to-frame-artwork-on-paper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7056154","title":{"rendered":"How to Frame Artwork on Paper"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Framing<\/a> protects watercolour paintings and other works on paper from dust, humidity, and damage while giving them a finished, display-ready appearance. This article explains how to frame a watercolour painting, drawing, or print using a window mount, with either a ready-made frame<\/a> or a frame from our bespoke framing service<\/a>. Our How to Frame Artwork<\/a><\/em> series covers the fundamentals of framing your artwork through clear, visual guides.<\/p>\n\n

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Why Framing Matters<\/h2>\n

Framing an artwork protects the work, provides a way to attach hanging fasteners, and adds a finished, decorative look. This is particularly important for watercolour paintings and other works on paper because they are more vulnerable to damage, can\u2019t easily be hung unframed, and can sometimes benefit from the flattening of the surface that framing provides.<\/p>\n

A work on paper needs different framing than a painting on a stretched canvas or wooden panel<\/a>. Usually, a frame with glazing is used to protect the paper, and then something is used to raise the glass off the surface of the paper. This is generally either a window mount that is visible in the frame, or, if you use a deep frame that is set up for it, you can use spacers that are hidden under the frame moulding to raise the glass away from the artwork. The latter is a technique called float mounting<\/em>, in which the work can be mounted from behind to float in the frame.<\/p>\n

\"Mounting<\/a><\/p>\n

Works on paper can be damaged by sunlight, humidity, dust, insects, skin oils, and the acids in framing mounts, backing boards, and adhesives. The acid from these framing materials can \u2018burn\u2019 the artwork paper and cause it to brown and become brittle. There are a variety of quality levels to consider when framing an artwork, each leading to different outcomes in preserving the artwork from all of these potentially damaging factors. <\/p>\n

A professional, custom framing job that uses conservation quality materials and techniques allows for the best preservation of the artwork, but can be very expensive, and many people will save this for a particularly valuable artwork. At the other end of the spectrum is using the cheapest ready-made frame, trimming the artwork to fit (rather than getting a frame to fit the artwork), not using a mount, which means that the glass rests directly on the painting or print, and using household paper and tape to hold the artwork in the frame. The DIY framing we are demonstrating here is closer to the conservation end of the spectrum, and by choosing acid-free mounts and tapes, you can frame an artwork yourself at a more affordable price that will still preserve the artwork for many years.<\/p>\n

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A Ready-Made Frame or a Bespoke Frame?<\/h2>\n

Our ready-made glazed frames<\/a> come with a window mount, a barrier board, a backing board, acrylic glass, flexi inserts for the back that are already inserted, and a D-ring and cord for hanging. You will still need acid-free tape for fixing your painting to the mountboard. <\/p>\n

A ready-made frame is an affordable, convenient solution for framing work on paper if the work is a standard size. However, you will be limited in the mouldings that are offered. If, on the other hand, you would prefer a different moulding or need a non-standard size, then you can order a bespoke frame<\/a>. With our bespoke framing service, you can choose from a wider range of moulding styles and colours, with frames made to a custom size to suit your artwork.<\/p>\n

This article explains framing a watercolour, drawing, or print using a window mount. If you want the entire piece of paper to be visible because you have painted to the edge of the paper and do not want any of it covered, or because your paper has a lovely deckled edge that you want to show, then a frame with spacers will allow you to hinge the work so that it floats in the centre. How to Float Mount Works on Paper<\/em> will be the next article in this framing series.<\/p>\n

\"Jackson's<\/a><\/p>\n

The bespoke frames come as pairs of bars with dovetail joiners that are easy to assemble. If you order a bespoke frame and want a custom-size window mount, you will need to purchase it separately. They can be ordered with the frame pieces at the bottom of the frame builder page, along with acrylic glass, backing boards, mounting fixings like glazier points or spring clips, and hanging fixings. If you have already ordered a bespoke frame and need to assemble it, please take a look at our article How to Assemble a Jackson\u2019s Bespoke Frame<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n

Framing a Work on Paper with a Window Mount<\/h2>\n

If you are using a mount, then the perimeter of the paper will be hidden behind the mount. Watercolour painters who stretch their paper using gummed tape or staples may have a border that is not part of the painting that has either a rim of tape or staple holes. That border can be hidden behind a mount, but it may need to be flattened or trimmed if it is very wavy.<\/p>\n

With a ready-made frame, the mount width will already be decided. But with a custom mount, you can decide to use an unusually narrow or wide mount for aesthetic reasons that add to the appearance of the artwork, or for practical reasons, such as to make your artwork fit a frame that you already have.<\/p>\n

\"Framing<\/a>
With a bespoke mount you can choose the width of the mount between your artwork and the frame moulding.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

First decide if you want the artwork to go under the edge of the mount by a couple of millimetres, or if you\u2019d like a border of the white paper to show around the painting or print. Perhaps because you\u2019ve signed or titled it there. Then measure that to be your aperture. Finally, decide how wide you\u2019d like the mount to be between the artwork edge and the frame. In our ready-made frames, the mat sizes range from 5 to 7 cm wide. You may wish to make a statement or to give a small work more visual and physical space, so you may want an oversized mount. The outer mount measurement will give you the frame size that you need.<\/p>\n

How to Flatten a Cockled Watercolour Painting<\/h2>\n
\"cockled<\/a>
These paintings were made without stretching the paper first, so they cockled as they dried.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If your paper is cockled, you can follow this step-by-step guide to flattening a cockled watercolour painting<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Mounting a Work on Paper in a Frame with a Window Mount<\/h2>\n

Materials:<\/p>\n