The advanced multi layout designer lets you design your own multi aperture mount: any number of photos, in different sizes, placed exactly where you want them. Because you set every size and position yourself, it's best to plan the layout on paper first. This guide shows how, then follows the designer's eight tabs in six parts, each with its own short video.
Example: three photos, one 300 × 200mm above two 120 × 200mm, in a 380 × 500mm double mount, printed and framed. Recorded 19 October 2026.
Open the advanced designer
Part 1: Plan your layout
Lay out your photos, measure them, sketch the mount, and work out where each opening goes.
Video, part 1 of 6: planning the layout.
Lay out and measure your photos
Lay your photos out on a table in the arrangement you want, and number them.Measure each one : the width and height of the part you want to show, in millimetres.Write the sizes down : here, #1 is 300 × 200mm, and #2 and #3 are 120 × 200mm.
Lay them out and number them.
Measure them and write the sizes down.
Sketch the mount
Draw the mount on paper with each photo as an opening, and write its size in. Then choose:
A border round the outside: at least 20mm (25mm for a double mount). 40mm is a good choice.
A gap between openings: at least 10mm (20mm for a double mount). Here, 20mm.
Add everything up across and down for the outside size of the mount:
Width: 40 + 300 + 40 = 380mm
Height: 40 + 200 + 20 + 200 + 40 = 500mm
The largest mount the designer can make is 1118 × 815mm.
The sketch, with borders and gaps.
Work out each opening's position
The designer places each opening by its distance from the top-left corner of the mount : how far from the left, and how far from the top.
#1 is 40 from the left and 40 from the top (the border).#2 and #3 are centred under #1. The bottom row is 120 + 20 + 120 = 260 wide, so it starts (380 − 260) ÷ 2 = 60 from the left. #3 starts 60 + 120 + 20 = 200 from the left.Both are 40 + 200 + 20 = 260 from the top: the border, plus #1, plus the gap.
Outside size and positions.
Ready to enter.
Opening Width Height Left Top
1 300 200 40 40 2 120 200 60 260 3 120 200 200 260
Mount 380 × 500mm, all sizes in millimetres.
Part 2: Layout and sizes
Enter your sketch in the designer: the outside size, then each opening's size and position.
Video, part 2 of 6: layout and sizes.
Read the rules first
This designer checks very little for you, so the Important – please read box sets out the rules: a border of at least 20mm (25mm for a double mount), a gap of at least 10mm between openings (20mm for a double mount), a largest board of 1118 × 815mm, and positions measured from the top-left corner of the board.
The rules.
Enter the sizes and positions
Enter the Number of Apertures (3), the External Width (380) and the External Height (500).
For each opening, enter its Width , Height , Left and Top from your sketch.
Click Update All Apertures . The preview draws the mount with your openings.
The sketch, entered.
After any change to the sizes, click Update All Apertures to apply it. If you move to another tab without updating, the designer asks whether to apply or ignore your changes.
Check with Mount sizes
Click Mount sizes above the preview for a measured drawing of your mount, and check it against your sketch. Openings are cut 6mm smaller than the sizes entered, so the mount overlaps each photo by 3mm all round: #1 is cut 294 × 194mm, and #2 and #3 are 114 × 194mm. Tick Exact Size to cut every opening to exactly the size entered instead.
Openings cut 6mm smaller.
With Exact Size.
More options
Oval : tick it beside any opening for an oval opening.All Apertures Same Size : copies the first opening's size to every opening, handy when all your photos match.Take this layout to our Drop & Drag Designer : if you'd rather drag the openings into place than type positions.
Opening #1 as an oval.
Part 3: Images and mounts
Have your photos printed in the layout if you like, then choose a single or double mount and its colours.
Video, part 3 of 6: images and mounts.
Printing your photos (optional)
In 2 Images and paper , tick Do you want to add printing to the design? to have your photos printed and framed in the layout. Then:
Click an opening in the preview to upload a photo for it, or drag a photo onto it.Each photo fills its opening. Drag a photo to another opening to swap them, or use the crop tool on its thumbnail to choose which part shows.
Choose the paper : semi-matt photographic, or smooth or textured fine art.
You don't need an account to upload, but you can log in to keep your photos in your own image gallery.
Photos uploaded into the layout.
Mounts
In 3 Mounts , Single/Double switches to a double mount, with a thin second layer round each opening. Exact Size is here too: it's the same setting as in Layout and sizes. Choose a colour for each layer: here, Off White on top and Slate Grey underneath.
A double mount.
Off White over Slate Grey.
Part 4: Frames
Find a frame by colour and filters, compare frames, see a frame's details and order a sample, choose your frame, and look at it in the corner, profile, 3D and frame sizes views.
Video, part 4 of 6: frames.
Colours, filters and compare
The list opens with Our 50 best sellers . Click a colour to see every frame in it: Black shows 131. Filters sorts the list and filters by frame width, rebate depth, material and price: Black with a 21–30mm frame width leaves 34. Tick Compare under 2 to 4 frames and click Compare in the bar to see them side by side.
Black: 131 frames.
Filters: 34 frames.
Frames ticked.
The comparison.
Details, samples and choosing
Click the ⓘ icon on any frame for its details, with Choose this frame and Order a sample (£2.16) . Click a frame to choose it: here, 20mm Black Paint . The preview shows your photos in the mount and frame.
Frame details.
Your frame.
Corner, profile, 3D and frame sizes
Corner and Profile : a close-up of the moulding, and its cross-section (20mm wide, 13mm deep, 7mm rebate).3D and AR : a model of your design; drag it to turn it. In the video it goes all the way round.Frame sizes : about 410 × 530mm outside, with 370 × 490mm of the mount showing.
Corner.
Profile.
3D.
Frame sizes.
Turned to the side.
From the back.
Part 5: Glazing, backing and extras
Choose your glazing, a backing if it's offered, and any extras.
Video, part 5 of 6: glazing, backing and extras.
Glazing : 2mm Clear Acrylic Glazing is included and selected to start with. Upgrade to anti-reflective, UV-protecting or museum acrylic if you like: in the video, anti-reflective takes the price from £62.15 to £69.10. We then go back to the standard clear acrylic.Backing : a coloured board behind the openings. When your photos are printed in the layout, as here, a backing isn't offered.Extras : boards, tapes, hangers and fixings; click Add to include one. Here, Medium Hard Wall Hooks (£5.54).
The included glazing.
Anti-reflective selected.
No backing with printing.
Wall hooks added.
Part 6: Review
Check the specification, save or email your design, and add it to your basket.
Video, part 6 of 6: review.
The 8 Review tab lists everything you've chosen. In this example:
Frame style 526020167 · 20mm Black Paint Frame size 380 × 500mm (the size of the mount) Printed image sizes #1 300 × 200mm; #2 and #3 120 × 200mm Mounts 8065 Off White over 8159 Slate Grey, 5mm Glazing 2mm Clear Acrylic Glazing Paper Semi Matt Photographic Paper Accessories Medium Hard Wall Hooks × 10; Barrier Board
The price was £67.69, including printing the three photos. Below the designer are the frame and mount specifications, Your design , and Delivery and savings , with volume discounts on identical items.
The Review tab.
The panels below the designer.
Save design keeps it in your Design Gallery; Email design sends it to someone else to check. Then click Add to basket : “Your £67.69 Digital Prints in Multi Aperture Frame has been added to your basket.”
The email form was opened in this demo but nothing was sent.
Save design.
Email design.
Added to basket.
Design your own layout
Screenshots taken from the live site on 19 October 2026. The orange outlines and labels were added for this guide and aren't part of the site. The demo stopped at the basket, and no order or email was sent. Prices may change.
