One should consider the following basic factors when framing an artistic piece. There are many other techniques that can be done that are beyond the scope of this page.

The overall appearance and longevity of a photo can be enhanced with proper matting and/or framing procedures. To begin with, I recommend dry mounting each photo. This will flatten the image and eliminate bending variations that may catch the light and detract from overall presentation of the photo. I also recommend spacing the photo from the glass with either spacers or a mat. Time and humidity can cause the photo to adhere to the glass and ruin the image.

When framing, pick mats and a frame that pull out colors in the photo that you want to emphasize. This can be accomplished several ways, the simplest being to pick a primary color in the photo and match the mat to that specific color. Remember you can also pull out nuances or minor colors of the photo as well. Mix and match multiple mats to bring out multiple colors. Experiment with different mat/frame widths to add dimension effects. The texture of both the mat and frame play important parts also. Experiment with mats that have "fancy" cuts. Non-glare vs. full glare glass may also play an important part in certain lighting conditions. UV filtering glass can improve the longevity of a photo if it is to be exposed to sunlight (even inside the house.)

Remember that the photograph is the central focal point for the entire framed piece. Improper matting/framing can detract from a photo just as easily as proper matting/framing can enhance a photo's overall effect.