RIGHT BEVEL or FRENCH BEVEL : HOW TO MAKE IT and FRAME A PICTURE.

It's done… your mat is finished… You want now to give depth to your frame… A solution, the right bevel also called "french bevel". It is easiest to realize and, with a little care, the results will be reach your hopes.

It is necessary to cut out a thick paperboard of same external dimensions as the mat and open on it a window which the interior edges will be covered with printed paper.

Cutting of the bevel

Place the mat on the cardboard (thick paperboard 0.08... to 0.16". You can also work with foamboard ). Using the mat as a gauge, trace carefully external and interior contours on the cardboard. Cut out then bevel with the cutter. If you like, you can make a little bit smaller the opening of the French bevel.

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French bevel can have the same window dimension than the mat or a window slightly smaller. In this last case, it will overflow of 0.2" under the mat.

Trace with a pencil the opening desired for the "bevel" then open with the cutter to the measurements you will have chosen : you must straight maintain the cutter during the cut, perpendicular with the paperboard : for that, take support on the rulers's edge.

Now you have to cover the interior edges of the straight bevel with creative paper you choose.

First of all measure the thickness of your cardboard: in the example, suppose it measures 3mm.

The cutting of the paper bands

Choose the printed paper which will be used to equip the edges of your bevel then cut out in this paper, four bands measuring 0.6" + 0.12" + 0.6" ... 1.32" of width. These 4 bands must be longer of 3cm than the sides they must cover.

You will give them, AFTER FITTING, the form indicated on the diagram below. With the ruler and the back of the cutter blade, mark the 2 folds corresponding to the thickness of the bevel.

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The angles with 45° will be traced with a square 45° and cutted out with the cutter. The back part must thread exactly in the opening of bevel. Fold up the bands.

The installation of the bands

On the photograph below you can see : the bevel (white) and two bands to cover the interior edges of the bevel. The metallic square with 45° angle was used for to trace and cut out the angles of the bands of covering.

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With a brush, spread out some glue over the front face of bevel, where the bands will be stuck. Let us recall on this subject that it is always preferable to put the glue on the carboard and not directly on the paper, which could soften it and deform it.. !

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Present the first band, check for a good fitting and stick it. MaKe in the same way for the 3 other bands. Check how the angles with 45° are well connected !

(It is easier to see than read... So look at the photographs ...Only 2 bands are put)

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Turn over bevel and stick the bands on back: do not put glue on the section of bevel because if you had a defect of cut, the adhesive, while drying, would accentuate this defect by plating paper on him!

If your interior angles are not clean… look at “equipping the interior angles” on the TRICKS AND EASY WAYS page and give them a light sanding.

To see a french bevel achieved...

Books about framing to read !

Frame It!
by Tonia Davenport

 
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Framing isn't something one has to leave to the professional. With Frame It! readers will learn how to use ready-made frames and inexpensive framing materials to create frames perfect for their favorite photo, piece of artwork, canvases or souvenir.

How to Make Your Own Picture Frames
Ed Reinhardt, Hal Roger

 
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Excellent book for the beginner. Clear and concise. Excellent step-by-step instructions with photos for each and every step.

This book covers all aspects of frame construction, painting, mats, glass-cutting and usage. A great book to trigger your own ideas to create custom frames.

Matting and framing made easy
Janean Thompson

 
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Since the cost of framing often exceeds the price of the artwork itself, it pays to know how to do it yourself.

This book offers thorough background on all the basics--measuring, mounting, matting, glazing materials, and frames--for both archival and non-archival techniques.