DIY Picture Mounting & Framing

Purchase your supplies at a craft store. Go to the photo frames section of the store to find your mounting mat and pre-cut window mat. You can choose from various colors and sizes, which are indicated on the price label for the mats. Choose a window mat that is especially cut for your photo size. If you have a 5x7 photo, choose a window mat made for a 5x7 photo. For mounting mats, you may choose from foam board or regular archival board.

Place a strip of hinging tape along the top, inner part of the mounting mat and window mat, hinging it together. The mounting mat is what you will place your photograph on. The window mat will lay over your photo, allowing it to be viewed. When both mats have been taped together, it should resemble an open book.

Lay your photo upside down on the large sheet of paper. Spray the acid-free adhesive on the back of the photo, in a well-ventilated area. Spray the edges first, then the middle.

Gently lift the photo by a corner and place it in the center of the mounting mat. Place the cardboard over the photo and gently press down. This will seal the photo to the mounting board. Leave it to dry for five minutes. Clean your hands after handling the spray adhesive to prevent glue from sticking to your photo.

Gently touch the photo to make sure it has bonded to the mounting board. Once it has done so, fold down the window mat and place the mounted photo into the frame.

Place the cardboard onto the back of the photo frame and tape the edges with your masking tape. Your project is now complete and ready to be displayed.