What a mount board does in a frame
A mount board sits between the artwork and the glazing or frame opening. It creates spacing, which helps prevent the work from touching the glass and also gives the eye a clear border to rest on. In practical terms, that can make a small print feel more substantial, help a busy image settle, or give a certificate the tidy presentation it needs for an office, school or gallery wall.
For South African homes, offices and exhibition spaces, the right mount also helps with everyday conditions. In Johannesburg and Pretoria, dry indoor air and dust can affect paper work over time. On the coast, moisture and salt in the air can be a concern, so a well chosen mount board helps keep artwork off the glazing and allows a better framing build. It is a simple detail but it changes the whole finish.
- Creates a visual border around the artwork
- Improves spacing between art and glass
- Helps preserve paper based pieces and photographs
- Can make a small artwork read more clearly on a large wall
Sizes, thicknesses and colour choices
Mount boards are usually cut to suit the exact artwork and frame size, so there is no single standard that fits every piece. Most custom jobs use a board thick enough to sit flat and cut cleanly, with options for single or double mounts depending on the look needed. For ready-made frames, we match the opening to the print or photo and adjust the mount to suit the frame depth and proportion.
Colour matters just as much as size. White and off-white remain popular for photographs, certificates and fine art prints, while soft greys, black and muted neutrals can suit modern interiors, gallery displays and monochrome work. Some clients prefer a wide border for a formal look, others want a narrow mount so the image stays central. We can guide you on what works best for the subject and where it will hang.
- Board thickness commonly used for framing: 1.4 mm to 3 mm
- Standard custom cut opening: made to suit the exact image size
- Common border widths: 40 mm to 100 mm, sometimes wider for large pieces
- Options include single mount, double mount and stepped presentation
Where mount boards suit best
Mount boards are a good choice for artwork on paper, prints, drawings, certificates, photographs, maps and keepsakes. They are also useful for gallery presentations where consistent spacing makes a wall of work look orderly. If you are framing a jersey, a medal display or a mixed media piece, a mount can help balance the composition and keep the item from looking cramped in the frame.
In homes around Parkhurst, Rosebank, Sandton and Midrand, clients often use mount boards for family photos, children’s artwork and framed travel memories. In Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban, we often see them used in offices, reception areas and galleries where presentation needs to stay neat over time. For pieces that will hang in bright areas, the right mount also reduces the feeling of the image sitting too close to the glass.
- Best for paper based originals and prints
- Useful for gallery walls with repeated framing sizes
- Suitable for office certificates and awards
- Helps with special items such as memorabilia or photos with margins
How we fit and install mount boards
Mount board fitting is a manual framing process and does not need power or gas on site. The board is cut to exact measurement, the window opening is sized to the artwork, and the piece is assembled in a clean studio environment. For larger or more delicate items, we may use conservation style spacers or extra backing support so the work stays flat and secure. If the frame is going to a gallery or a corporate space, we can also advise on hanging fixings that suit the wall type and weight.
Where installation is required, the mount board itself does not need any special services. What matters is the frame weight, the wall condition and the final hanging height. For heavier framed pieces in offices or stairwells, proper brackets and fixings are important. In South Africa, many walls are plaster over brick or drywall, so it is worth checking the wall surface before ordering a large framed work. That small check can save a lot of trouble later.
- No power or gas needed for the mount board itself
- Wall fixings should match the wall type and frame weight
- Large pieces may need two person handling
- Gallery walls should be planned with consistent hanging centres
Care, cleaning and servicing over time
Mount boards need little maintenance once a frame is properly assembled, but the framed item around them should still be checked from time to time. Keep framed work out of direct sun where possible, especially in rooms with strong northern light. Dust the frame surface with a dry, soft cloth and avoid damp cleaning products near the opening. If the artwork shifts, the glass fogs, or the board starts showing age, it may be time for repairs or reframing.
In humid coastal areas, and in rooms that run airconditioning for long periods, paper work can still move slightly over time. If you notice rippling, mould smell or a lifted backing, bring the piece in for a check. We can replace damaged boards, redo the fit, or update the framing so the piece looks clean again. Good servicing is often a simpler fix than replacing the whole frame set up.
- Dust with a soft dry cloth only
- Keep out of harsh direct sunlight where possible
- Check for movement, moisture marks or glass fogging
- Replace ageing boards if they stain or bow
What to check before you order
Before ordering a mount board, it helps to measure the artwork carefully and decide how much border you want to see. Check whether the image should sit centrally or with more space at the bottom, which is often preferred for certificates and formal pieces. If the artwork has deckled edges, signatures or a valuable margin, let us know so the opening can be planned to show those details properly. It is also worth confirming whether the piece will be framed for a home, gallery or commercial space, because that affects the finish and durability needed.
Bring the actual artwork if you can, not just a photo. That allows us to check colour balance, surface condition and the best opening size. We also look at the frame depth, glazing choice and final wall position. If you need collection and delivery across Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban or Midrand, that can be arranged through our enquiry form. For clients in Parkhurst and nearby areas, we also help with frame repairs, reframing and mirror framing when the job calls for it, so the whole piece is properly matched.
- Confirm exact artwork dimensions before cutting
- Decide on border width and mount colour
- Check if signatures, stamps or edges must stay visible
- Bring the original work where possible for a proper match
Key facts
| Product type | Custom cut mount board for picture framing |
|---|---|
| Common thicknesses | 1.4 mm, 2 mm and 3 mm |
| Border width guide | 40 mm to 100 mm, or wider on request |
| Mount styles | Single mount, double mount, stepped mount |
| Best for | Prints, photographs, certificates, drawings and memorabilia |
| Service area | Parkhurst, Johannesburg and nationwide service to Pretoria, Midrand, Sandton, Rosebank, Cape Town and Durban |
