Oval Picture Frames - How to Prepare Your Picture for an Oval Frame

You've selected your oval frame and now it's time to prepare your picture to be placed inside. This is not a difficult to do, though there are some key points to keep in mind.

Step 1. The first step before you do any cutting is to make sure that the picture you've chosen will look the way you envisioned it once inside your oval picture frame. So remove the back of the frame as well as the glass and set them carefully aside. Next, you will want to place the oval frame over your picture, at approximately where you'll cut the picture.

By doing this, you will make sure you like how your picture looks in the oval picture frame and that it’s an appropriate shape for this frame.

Step 2. Make a mental image of where the frame outlines the picture and gently remove the frame. Next, take your oval photo frames’ glass and place it where the frame had been. This is where you will be fine-tuning your position before cutting the picture. Use care when you adjust the glass so that you don't scratch the picture.

Step 3. You will want the object in the picture (usually a person) to be straight in the frame and this will require a careful eye and some patience. Aligning an image in oval frames isn't as simple as a rectangular one. The ideal position for an individual in the photo is to be centered or have equal space on either side.

For the vertical spacing, the subject’s head should be about 2/3 up from the base of the oval frame. If you place their head in the middle of the picture, there will be excessive space above and the picture will not look right.

Step 4. When you're satisfied with the placement of the glass over the picture, trace along the outside of the glass with a thin pen or pencil. This will be your cut line. Don't use a marker or thick pen as this will tend to bleed onto the picture and the area you're planning to display.

Step 5. When you're ready, find a sharp pair of scissors and cut along the line you've made. Make certain that the scissors are sharp as dull scissors can either tear or bend the picture.

Step 6. After you've cut your picture to perfection, clean the oval frame glass and allow it time to dry. Any moisture remaining on the glass can damage your picture. Now, if your antique oval picture frame did not come with a backing, you can either use an archival mat board or plain old cardboard. This backing will keep your picture in place. Keep in mind that if it’s an irreplaceable picture you should you archival mat board as the acid in plain cardboard can degrade your photo over time.

To cut the board to the right size, place the oval frame face up on top of the board. Trace along the outside edge of the oval picture frame. You will need brad nails to secure it to the frame (one quarter inch should be fine).

Once you have your oval picture frame together and you're pleased with the results, it's time to hang it on the wall. As you can see, it’s pretty simple to prepare an oval frame for hanging on your wall as long as you use some care and patience.

About the Author: Autumn Lockwood is a writer for YourPictureFrames and is passionate about picture frames, hiking and photography. If you're looking for quality Oval Picture Frames call us toll free at 1-800-780-0699.