Watercolor is painted on paper, and paper reacts to humidity. Mounting is how you support it so it stays flat, stays clean and can be shown. There are two common approaches: hinging the painting to a mat board inside a frame with glazing, or adhering it to a rigid panel. Each suits a different look and level of reversibility.
Choose a mounting method
| Method | Look | Glass needed | Reversible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hinged mat and frame | Classic, matted | Yes | Yes, if done with proper hinges |
| Adhered to a panel | Contemporary, frameless or floated | Usually no, but a sealed surface is needed | No, treat it as permanent |
If the painting is valuable or you may want to change your mind later, the hinged method is generally the safer choice because it does not alter the paper. Standard watercolor painting sizes are worth checking first, since ready-made mats and frames follow them.
Method 1: Mount with a mat and hinges
Materials
- Acid-free (archival) backing board and window mat
- Paper or linen hinging tape suitable for archival use, or a water-activated gummed paper tape
- A bone folder or clean ruler, a pencil and a clean work surface
- Frame, glazing and a dust cover for the back
Steps
- Check that the painting is dry and flat. If the paper is wavy, you may be able to flatten it under weight between clean sheets before mounting. Next time, stretching the paper before painting helps prevent this.
- Position it on the backing board. Place the painting where you want it to sit behind the mat window and mark light pencil guides in the margin, not on the artwork.
- Hinge along the top edge only. Attach the top edge to the backing board with archival tape. Leaving the bottom and sides unattached lets the paper expand and contract with humidity instead of buckling.
- Lower the window mat over the top. The mat should overlap the painting edge slightly so the paper is held in place and hidden at the margins. The mat also keeps the paint surface from touching the glass.
- Frame it. Place the mat package behind glazing, add the backing, and seal the back with a dust cover.
Avoid masking tape, household tape and similar products. They can discolor and leave residue over time.
Glazing
Glass or acrylic glazing protects the paper from dust and handling. Many framers recommend UV-filtering glazing, because watercolor pigments vary in lightfastness and paper can yellow with light exposure. Ask your framer or supplier about options for your budget, and keep the painting out of direct sunlight regardless.
Method 2: Mount on a wood panel
This method gives a frameless, contemporary finish, and it is not reversible. Treat it as permanent and consider it only for paintings you are comfortable committing.
Materials
- A smooth wood or hardboard panel slightly larger than the painting
- Heavy gel medium (gloss) or another adhesive recommended for mounting paper
- A soft brayer or smooth roller, and clean paper to protect the surface
- Painter’s tape, weights, a craft knife and fine sandpaper
- A protective topcoat
Steps
- Position the painting on the panel and mark placement lightly.
- Tape around the perimeter of the panel to keep the edges clean.
- Apply an even layer of gel to the panel, then lay the painting down carefully.
- Roll from the center outward with a brayer through a protective sheet to push out air bubbles.
- Weight it under a flat board and books and let it dry fully.
- Trim excess paper and lightly sand the edges flush with the panel.
- Seal the surface with a protective coat. Watercolor can lift or change if it is not sealed, so check that your chosen sealer or varnish is compatible with watercolor on paper and test on a spare piece first.
- Add hanging hardware to the back of the panel.
Hanging a watercolor without a frame
Panel mounting is the usual route for hanging without a frame. Another option is a float mount, where the painting sits on top of a mat board with a gap around it inside a frame. Whichever you choose, add hanging hardware appropriate to the weight, and see what to put on the back of a painting for labeling and hardware ideas.
Protecting the finished piece
- Keep it away from direct sun, heat and damp.
- Handle only by the edges or the mat.
- Photograph it before it is covered by glass or sealed.
For the bigger picture of getting work ready, see how to finish a painting. If you are showing the piece, see labeling a painting for exhibition.
Common questions
How should watercolor paintings be framed? Typically with a mat, behind glazing, with the painting hinged at the top to an acid-free backing.
Why hinge only the top? It allows the paper to move slightly as humidity changes, which helps it stay flat.
Can I mount watercolor without glass? Yes, on a sealed panel, though the sealing step needs testing because watercolor is sensitive to moisture.