Measuring Advice, Examples and Tips.

Understanding picture frame and mount sizes.

During the order process our website will detail the following size information based on your selections and the sizes you enter. Understanding what the detailed sizes relate to makes understanding the whole measuring and ordering process much easier to comprehend.

Frame Size(Custom Picture Frames)

The frame size will be detailed in your order if you have selected a picture frame and ALWAYS relates to what fits inside the frame such as the glazing and backing. It NEVER relates to the visible area from the front of the frame and it NEVER relates to the external size of the frame. The same would be true for virtually any picture frame purchased anywhere in the UK and beyond. For example, if you went to any High Street retailer to buy a picture frame for a 400 X 300mm print, you would need to pick one that said 400 X 300mm on the paper insert inside the frame. You would find your 400 X 300mm print fitted perfectly into the back of the frame as the size relates to the inside of the frame at the back.
Every frame does have a lip/rebate that will overlap the glazing and artwork by approximately 5 millimetres on each edge to ensure the contents do not fall out. The lip/rebate will make the visible area from the front approximately 10mm smaller than the frame size.
The frame opening will include a 2-4mm allowance to ensure the backing and glazing can be removed when fitting your artwork.

External Mount Size

The external mount size will only be detailed if you have ordered a picture mount with no frame. This size relates to the outside measurements of the picture mount. If you are ordering a picture mount to go into a picture frame purchased separately, the external mount size should match the frame size of said picture frame.

Image Size(To Take or Exact)

The image size will be detailed in your order if you have selected a picture mount. By default this will be 'To Take Image Size...' and will mean the opening of the mount will be slightly smaller than the image size to ensure it doesn't fall through the opening, i.e. the mount will take an image size of .... For example, if you enter your image size as 500 X 400mm, your order details will include 'To Take Image Size 500 X 400mm. The physical opening of the mount will be 494 X 394mm so that the mount just overlaps your image size of 500 X 400mm.
Our website does offer advanced options when purchasing mounts including the option to have the mount opening cut to the exact size entered. If you select this option you order details will include 'Exact Image Size .....' and the mount opening will be cut to the exact size you have entered.

Please remember it is vital the measurements you supply are correct as custom made frames and mounts are not eligible for a refund or exchange as they cannot be resold.

Follow these tips to help prevent mistakes.

1 Always use a proper tape measure, avoid using a fabric tape measure or a ruler.

2 Measure each dimension twice to double check for errors.

3 Have a pen and paper handy to note down each measurement.

4 DO NOT rely on measurements from third party websites - measure everything yourself.

Ordering different types of frames and mounts.

Details of how the artwork size you enter relates to how we manufacture specific framing types and combinations.

I am ordering a picture frame without a mount

Enter your artwork size into our website and select a suitable picture frame.

We would manufacture your frame so artwork measuring the size entered will fit into the opening at the back of the frame.

So if your artwork measures 320 X 470mm, you would enter 320 X 470mm as your frame size - Easy!

* The actual opening size of the frame will be approx 1-3mm bigger than the stated size to allow for a small amount of movement.

** The lip/rebate of the frame will overlap the artwork by approximately 5mm on each side.

I am ordering a picture frame with a mount

Enter your artwork size into our website and select a suitable picture frame and mount combination.

So if your artwork measures 250 X 190mm, you would enter 250 X 190mm in the size fields. We would manufacture the mount with an actual aperture of 244 X 184 so that it justs overlaps the image to allow it to be positioned correctly.

If you do not want us to make our standard 3mm adjustment on the border widths you can select the 'Cut aperture the exact size' advanced option during the order process. Doing so will mean the opening will be cut to the exact artwork size specified.

The frame size will be calculated by our software and depends on how wide you set the mount borders.

I am ordering a picture mount without a frame

If you are purchasing a mount to fit a frame bought elsewhere you need to know the frame size(the glazing/backing size) of your current frame as well as the size of your artwork.

Simply enter the exact sizes of your artwork into the internal size fields. You then have the option to enter the width for each side of the mount, top, bottom, left and right. You will need to calculate manually how wide the mounts need to be to fit your frame opening size.

Please ensure the "External Mount Size" measurements on your order review match the actual opening size of your own frame from the back.

We will make a small 3mm adjustment to each mount width to ensure the artwork doesn't fall through the middle of the mount aperture.. So if you artwork measures 250 X 190mm, you would enter 250 X 190mm in the size fields, we would manufacture the mount so the actual aperture would be 244 X 184. This ensures the artwork doesn't fall through the mount opening.

I am ordering a canvas floater frame

You should enter the exact width and height of your canvas into our website. The default option is for a canvas floater frame to include a 5-6mm shadow gap on each side between the frame and your canvas. This means the actual opening size at the front of the canvas floater frame will be approximately 10mm larger than the size you enter so there is a shadow gap between the frame and canvas. If you do not want any additional gap, you will need to deselect the 'Shadow Gap' option. Deselecting the 'Shadow Gap' will mean the floater frame is manufactured 2-4mm larger than the sizes entered, so your canvas just fits the frame.
You should also note the internal depth of the canvas floater frame which is detailed within the product description, and ensure this is suitable for the thickness of your canvas. It is perfectly normal for the thickness of your canvas to be slightly more or less than the internal depth of the frame.

I am ordering a picture frame for a stretched canvas

Our range of canvas picture frames are normal picture frame with deeper rebates, and are supplied without any glazing or backing. When measuring your canvas it is important to not presume that it will be square. Measure each outer edge of the stretched canvas, i.e. top, bottom, left and right, and use the larger of the two measurements(if there is a difference) when calculating the size you enter into our website. You should also consider any folded over canvas in the corners that will may also need to be allowed for in your measurements. We will manufacture the canvas picture frame so that a stretched canvas measuring the sizes entered will fit perfectly into the opening at the back of the frame with a small amount of movement.

I am ordering a canvas stretcher bar

A canvas stretcher bar assembly will be manufactured so the external size is within 0-2mm of the sizes entered. Stretching a canvas is considered a job that should only be carried out by someone with the experience and equipment to do so. Any such person should understand how to measure a canvas to calculate the size they need to order, taking into consideration any bleed or wrap around required.