Shopping List
This page contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the site — thank you!
What You Actually Need for Picture Framing
Picture framing is a rewarding craft that transforms artwork, photographs, and memorabilia into beautiful displays. Whether you’re framing a child’s first painting, preserving family photos, or creating gallery-wall pieces, having the right tools and materials makes the process smooth and produces professional-looking results. This guide covers the essential items every beginner framer needs to get started with confidence.
1. Mat Cutter Tool
A mat cutter is a precision cutting tool designed specifically for creating clean, beveled cuts in matting board. This handheld or handheld device features a sharp blade that angles at 45 degrees, producing professional-quality openings that frame your artwork perfectly. Quality mat cutters make straight cuts, circular cuts, and oval cuts depending on the model you choose.
Why beginners need it: Manually cutting mats with utility knives often results in jagged edges and uneven bevels. A dedicated mat cutter ensures your frames look polished and gallery-ready, transforming amateur projects into professional presentations.
What to look for: Choose models with adjustable cutting widths, comfortable handles, and sharp replacement blades. Some premium options include measuring guides to help you position cuts accurately.
2. Matting Board Variety Pack
Matting board is the decorative cardboard layer that sits between your artwork and the frame glass, creating a professional border. Variety packs include multiple colors, textures, and thicknesses so you can experiment with different styles. These acid-free boards protect your artwork from deterioration over time.
Why beginners need it: Having several mat colors on hand lets you test combinations before committing to a final design. Different mat colors completely change the appearance of your artwork, so variety packs eliminate guesswork.
What to look for: Always select acid-free and lignin-free matting boards to preserve your artwork’s longevity. Look for packs that include both neutral and bold colors in standard thicknesses between 4-ply and 8-ply.
3. Frame Spacer Bars
Spacer bars are slim strips that fit between your mat and frame glass, creating space so artwork doesn’t touch glass. These bars prevent moisture accumulation and keep delicate pieces, like pastels or watercolors, from adhering to glass. They’re especially important for valuable or sentimental artwork.
Why beginners need it: Without spacers, condensation and dust can settle directly on your artwork, causing damage over months or years. Spacers provide critical protection that separates these elements and improves the display’s visual depth.
What to look for: Select spacer bars made from acid-free materials in widths that match your frame depth. Typically, bars ranging from 1/8 inch to 1/2 inch work for most standard framing projects.
4. Glass Cutter for Custom Sizes
A glass cutter is a handheld tool with a carbide wheel that scores glass, allowing you to snap custom-sized panes. This tool lets you cut glass to exact frame dimensions without ordering expensive custom pieces. Quality glass cutters work on standard picture glass, acrylic, and some specialty glazing materials.
Why beginners need it: Purchasing custom-cut glass for odd-sized or specialty frames becomes expensive quickly. A glass cutter lets you buy standard sheets and cut them to your exact specifications, saving money on multiple projects.
What to look for: Choose cutters with comfortable handles, replaceable carbide wheels, and guides for straight cuts. Some models include rulers and measuring tools that make scoring consistent panes easy.
5. Backing Board Material
Backing boards provide structural support behind your artwork, preventing warping and damage. These boards sit behind your matting and artwork inside the frame, creating a rigid foundation for everything. Acid-free backing boards protect valuable pieces from deterioration caused by chemical reactions.
Why beginners need it: Without proper backing, artwork can shift, wrinkle, or warp inside the frame over time. Backing boards distribute pressure evenly and keep everything flat and secure for years of display.
What to look for: Always choose 100% acid-free and lignin-free backing board in thicknesses that match your frame depth. Museum-quality boards offer maximum protection for treasured pieces and heirloom artwork.
6. Frame Glazing Glass or Acrylic
Picture frame glazing is the clear protective layer that covers your artwork, available in standard glass or lightweight acrylic. Glass provides superior clarity and protection but is heavier and breakable, while acrylic is shatter-resistant and lighter but may scratch more easily. Both materials prevent dust and UV damage to your artwork.
Why beginners need it: Glazing is essential for protecting artwork from dust, moisture, and UV light that fades colors over time. Without it, even beautiful pieces degrade within months, especially in sunny locations.
What to look for: Select UV-protective glazing to prevent fading and color shifts in artwork. Non-glare options reduce reflections in brightly lit spaces, while standard clear glass provides maximum visibility for detailed artwork.
7. Frame Assembly Tool Kit
A frame assembly kit includes specialized tools for opening, closing, and securing picture frames without damaging them. These kits typically contain corner tools, point drivers, and pry bars designed specifically for frame assembly and disassembly. Using proper tools prevents bent frames and cracked corners.
Why beginners need it: Trying to assemble frames with screwdrivers and pliers often bends corners and strips screw holes. Proper assembly tools ensure your frames close securely and look professional without damage to the wood or metal.
Look for kits with multiple tool sizes to fit different frame types and sizes. Ergonomic handles reduce hand fatigue during assembly, and magnetic tips prevent losing small screws and points.
8. Measuring and Marking Tools
Precision measuring tools including metal rulers, T-squares, and marking pencils ensure accurate mat openings and frame dimensions. These tools eliminate guesswork when cutting mats and glass, producing perfectly centered designs every time. Quality measuring tools become invaluable as you tackle more complex framing projects.
Why beginners need it: Even small measurement errors in mat openings look unprofessional and waste expensive materials. Proper measuring tools help you cut accurately on the first try, saving both time and money.
What to look for: Choose metal rulers and squares that won’t bend or warp with repeated use. Clear marking pencils that show on matting board and light-colored glass help you visualize cuts before committing to them.
9. Adhesive and Mounting Supplies
Acid-free adhesives, mounting corners, and specialized tapes secure artwork and matting without damage. These supplies include reversible options that allow artwork removal without permanent damage, and permanent options for non-valuable pieces. The right adhesive prevents artwork from shifting inside frames and ensures longevity.
Why beginners need it: Using regular tape or glue damages valuable artwork permanently. Archival-quality mounting supplies protect your pieces while securing everything properly in the frame assembly.
What to look for: Select acid-free, lignin-free adhesives specifically designed for picture framing. Reversible mounting corners work best for valuable pieces, while acid-free linen tape provides secure, damage-free attachment options.
10. Frame Hardware and Hanging Supplies
Complete your framing projects with quality hanging hardware including D-rings, wire, sawtooth hangers, and wall anchors. These components securely attach to frame backs and support them on walls safely. Proper hardware ensures your framed artwork stays displayed securely for years.
Why beginners need it: Frames without proper hanging hardware fall off walls, crack, and damage artwork. Quality hardware distributes weight evenly and prevents tilting, keeping your displays secure and level.
What to look for: Select hardware rated for your frame’s total weight, including glass, matting, and backing. Corrosion-resistant materials prevent rust stains, while adjustable hanging systems accommodate different wall types and studs.
Budget-Friendly Tips
- Buy in bulk: Matting board, backing board, and glazing materials cost significantly less when purchased in larger quantities. Investing in bulk supplies for multiple projects reduces per-frame costs substantially compared to buying individual pieces.
- Start with simple frames: Basic wooden and metal frames are more affordable than specialty options and work perfectly for learning framing techniques. Save premium frames for projects after you’ve mastered fundamental skills.
- Reuse and repurpose: Clean out old frames from thrift stores and refurbish them with new matting and backing. Many quality frames need only new internals to look completely refreshed, offering excellent value for budget-conscious framers.
Beginner vs Advanced Gear
Beginners should focus on essential hand tools like mat cutters, measuring equipment, and assembly tools that produce professional results without massive investment. As you develop skills and take on more complex projects—such as shadow boxes, specialty shapes, and conservation framing—you’ll graduate to advanced equipment like automated mat cutters, specialized lighting for precise work, and premium archival materials that justify their higher costs. Most successful framers start simple with the fundamentals covered here, then expand their tool collection based on the specific projects they encounter.
Ready to Sell Your Work?
Selling Platforms
Partner recommendations coming soon.