How to arrange a painting in a frame with a passe-partout
First, let's define terms:
- Passe-partout is cardboard with a hole (window) cut out in its middle, into which a photograph, drawing, engraving, certificate of achievement, etc. is inserted.
- A passe-partout window is a four-cornered cutout/hole in the cardboard.
- Passe-partout edges is the distance from the "passe-partout window" to the edge of the passe-partout. The larger the edges, the larger the frame size.
- The purpose of the passe-partout is to achieve a color balance between the painting and the frame, or the color of the walls due to the wide palette of colors of the passe-partout. Put an emphasis on a particular color in the work, i.e. "pulling" it out of the piece of art. Thanks to the passe-partout, you can make a single external size for paintings of different sizes thanks to the size of the “passe-partout edges”. Grant status to the picture, or add some "fresh air", and work with perspective. Design solutions due to the color range of the passe-partout and the texture.
From theory to practice
First of all, you should know that the passe-partout is placed on top of the painting. So, you have a picture on paper, a diploma, a certificate, or something else. First, you need to measure the size of the sheet, let's say it is a standard A-4 (21x29.7 cm). In this case, the size of the “passe-partout window” should be no more than 20x28.7 cm in order to “close” 0.5 cm on each side, and therefore, attach it. The passe-partout edges can be of any size; it all depends on your aesthetic wishes. For A-4 format pictures, we recommend making edges of at least 4-5 cm. At the same time, you should take into account that approximately 0.5 cm from the edge of the passe-partout will be covered under the baguette.
