PERSONALIZED WALL ART GIFTS

City skylines and classic art prints are a popular and very special gift or display for your own home, but sometimes something a little more personal is called for. From simply decorating the mat with Sharpies to engraving the frame or glass, there are countless ways to individualize a gift for a birthday, wedding, new birth, anniversary, or any other significant event. The following article explores the many possibilities for personalizing a wall art gift. Whether you want to do the work yourself for a budget-friendly option, go all out with a professional inscription, or land somewhere in the middle, there is always a way to make that print a little more meaningful.

SUMMARY Self-made to professionally rendered, there is a personalized wall decor option that will suit your budget and time constraints, whatever they are. This article takes a look at: Do-It-Yourself Mat Decoration Inscribed Mats Personalized Mat Shapes Personalized Frames Artwork Markers Paints Decals Lettering Wraps Digital mat cutters French mats Lettering and designs Signature mats Alphabet windows Shapes Painted Engraved Shaped Alphabet Photography Collages Text Art

DIY MAT DECORATION

The possibilities for decorating a mat yourself are practically endless, and are limited only by imagination and your skill with decorative elements. From a simple scroll detail in the top corners of the mat just inside the lip of the picture frame (make sure to measure so the lip doesn't hide your handiwork), to a full-coverage design - consider your time constraints and choose accordingly! Note that it's probably best to undertake these projects on a mat that is already cut so you don't waste time decorating spaces that will not be used. Alternately, decorate an entire mat board and then have it cut for a unique but "matching" effect in multiple frames. SHARPIES Small doodles in the corners, a full collage of drawings or meaningful words and phrases, or an abstract line design (think nautical, or rainbow). If the mat is bordering a wedding photo, consider having all the guests or family members sign their name or write well wishes. A Mother's or Father's Day gift? Have the kids go to work. That white mat is your blank canvas, and the paper or cotton material is the perfect base for markers - it's thick enough that the ink won't bleed through (but it's still a good idea to test the marker in a corner that will be hidden by the frame, just in case it bleeds out more than expected). Another extremely simple way to change the look of your mat is to use a marker to color the bevelled edge. Because the core of most mats is white, when the mat is cut approximately 1/16" of white is visible. Generally this is considered an attractive and professional-looking aesthetic enhancement, but if you prefer a different color bevel, just place the mat on a piece of paper (so you don't color on your image or the table), place a ruler at the top of the bevel (so you don't color on the mat itself) and run the marker along the edge. PAINT Try out watercolors or acrylics on a plain mat. A solid wash of color or a faint stylized image in the corner can make all the difference. This is also a viable option if your mat turns out to be slightly the wrong color. For a parent or grandparent, let the kids dip their hands in the paint and place hand prints around the perimeter. Ensure however, that you test a spot and use lasting, high quality paint if you have already splurged on conservation (archival) glazing, mat, and backing. DECALS Another way to add oomph to a mat is to add adhesive decals. Everything from gems, to stickers, to washi tape can turn a plain white border into something fun and extra special. Just keep in mind the rabbet depth if you use anything that will be raised off the paper; the rabbet is the space behind the frame lip into which your frame contents - glass, mat, image, backing - will be placed. The decals will make the mat thicker and may be problematic in the case of a very shallow rabbet. LETTERING Use any media to create a one-of-a-kind mat that adds even more lovely memories to the image within. An anniversary gift for your significant other? Pen a poem or love letter (or your vows!) around the mat so he or she can read it each time they pass the image in the hall. Too sappy for you? How about writing each of your names, repeated across the entire mat. This is also a great idea for Mother's Day, using the kids names. WRAP IT Not that artsy, or just don't have the time? Wrapping your existing mat board is a quick way to create a fun, personalized touch without spending hours with art supplies. There are lots of great options: Fabric: A baby print for a new birth gift or cute animals or clowns for a child's room. A small, repeated design is a great traditional option for within an old fashioned frame. Burlap: For a rustic look that is very in vogue right now. This looks especially striking over a colored mat, so the color shows subtly through. Scrapbooking paper: These large sheets always come in beautiful patterns and designs that give the framed image a lovely "scrapbooked" effect. Existing Artwork: Scan a favorite artwork created by your child and print it off large enough to wrap around the mat. This is a super personal option for grandparents and other relatives. All you need to do is cut a piece of material the size of the mat, plus about an inch more on each side, cutting these flaps to fold around the back of the mat. Cut out the mat opening the same way, and simply glue or tape the flaps to the back of the mat. Decorating a mat by hand can be as simple or intricate as you choose. It is a great way to add your own touch to decor for your own home, and an excellent way to personalize gifts for family or friends.

Acrylic paint can personalize a mat A burlap-wrapped mat has rustic charm

INSCRIBED MATS

Another alternative to a plain mat border is one that has been etched or inscribed in some way. With a digital mat cutter, utility knife, or other tool, a mat can be enhanced with a groove around the mat opening, a small distance from the bevelled edge. Generally, this groove is a "V" shape, and shows the white core of the mat board just like the bevelled edge. This can be especially striking in boldly colored mats, where the white core stands out clearly. A mat with one or more lines around the bevel is called a French mat. This detail is attractive on its own, and can also be enhanced by a different color painted between two of the lines. If a more intricate inscription is desired, such as the names of those in the image, or a stylized design, a metal mat may be used. Usually a thin sheet of brushed aluminium, this material can easily be etched with anything from a name in handwriting to an image. The edge can even be bevelled to look just like a traditional mat.

A French mat

PERSONALIZED MAT SHAPES

SIGNATURE MATS A great combination of a specialty cut mat and a personalized detail, signature mats are common for wedding and newborn photographs, when the recipient would like a date or other notation to accompany the photo. The opening for the image (mat window) is cut in the center of the mat, with a few more inches of space at the bottom than the top. In this extra space, a small second window is cut, usually about 2" wide by 1" tall. Traditionally, this space would hold an inscribed plaque with the names of the people in the image, the reason the photo was taken, or the date. Today, these mats may be used for everything from graduations to commercial award presentations. MATTED NAME Another fun option for a personalized mat is multiple openings cut in the shape of the recipient's name. In the letter-shaped spaces, images can be placed that depict a special trip or event. For a couple's gift, this idea can be extended to include both their names, a wedding date, or a generic word such as Love or Marriage. Other generic letter mats are also available, with says like "I (Heart) Grandma," "Daddy's Girl," or "Forever." Whatever saying you choose, this is a unique and attractive way to display photographs that perhaps aren't that arresting on their own. OTHER SHAPES If a frame shop has the right equipment (usually an automatic digital mat cutter), mat windows can be created in any shape imaginable, from a simple arched rectangle to a heart or a detailed design such as a tree or a continent.

A signature mat

PERSONALIZED FRAMES

The methods of personalizing the picture frame itself are very similar to those used for mats. Though in the case of a frame, you often don't have a perfectly flat, paper-like surface to decorate, this can actually serve to enhance your stylistic touches. There are as many ways to personalize a picture frame at home as there are different frames on the market. If you know you plan to add to your picture frame, consider purchasing one that has a flat face, or at least one with little existing ornamentation. This will make decorating it much easier, and you don't chance your touches clashing with the original piece. DIY WITH PAINT Just like mats, picture frames can be wonderfully enhanced by paint. Simple corner decor or an allover design can spruce up a simple frame and showcase the time and effort you put into the gift. The name of the recipient, or a verse from a poem or song they love is a great addition to a store-bought frame. You may want to spray your finished painting with a protective coat, however, so dust and the inevitable scratches don't ruin it over time. Spray painting is another quick and simple way to transform a frame into something more suited to the recipient's - or you own - decor. Once the frame is a new color, you can add a word in script, a saying, wedding vows, or other painted decoration. ENGRAVING Metal picture frames are perfect for engraving or laser cutting names, dates, special phrases, or even images. Inscribe the bottom of the frame with the name of the couple and the wedding date, or the name, birth date, weight, and size of a newborn. A personal message can be written in script, or scrolling details can be added to the corners of the frame. Glass can also be etched in a similar fashion, and a clear or mirrored frame is a unique gift. Wooden frames can also be engraved or burned with beautiful details that show the natural wood below the face finish or create a striking two-tone effect. Entire sections of the frame face can be cut away for a textured effect, and names, phrases, and designs can easily by inscribed in the surface. Natural wood is always beautiful, and painted etched wood is also a popular choice. In an engraved picture frame, chances are the piece is made from scratch especially for the customer. This means other stylistic options are also available. For instance, the frame opening could be pushed to the side to make room for an unbroken poem or verse, or multiple openings can show different scenes or different faces. SHAPES A uniquely shaped frame is another great way to personalize a piece of wall art, though it is important to make sure the chosen image will still be properly visible in an oddly shaped frame. Two frames in the shape of a married couple's first initials makes a great wedding gift, and a child's full name spelled out in frames feature bright artworks or family pictures can be a nursery focal point.

Laser cutting is a common way to embellish metal frames A wood engraved frame

THE ARTWORK ITSELF

In addition to personalizing the border surrounding the image, there are fun and unique ways to personalize the image itself. Whatever frame or mat is selected, these stylish art pieces are sure to stand out on any living room, bedroom, or kitchen wall. ALPHABET PHOTOGRAPHY This decorative style is extremely popular these days, and the resulting collages can be created online, or even compiled yourself quite easily. The image at the top of this article is a great example. Photographed close ups create each letter, such as a scrolled railing for an "R", or half a window frame for an "L". There are websites that offer a wide selection of every letter of the alphabet, so you can choose the arrangement that best suits the recipient. Everything from their last name, a couple's name with a photographed heart shape between them, or simply the word "Love" can be instantly personalized with images that suit their personal taste. TEXT IN COLLAGES A great way to further personalize a collage of pictures for a special someone is to work words and phrases digitally into the piece. Imagine color blocked sections with a meaningful quote, the names of the couple, or their anniversary date, scattered among the photographs. This is a great gift idea for Mother's or Father's day, or to present to new grandparents. TEXT ART Sometimes words are enough. If you don't have an image, or prefer to forgo the pictorial, digital text art is an excellent way to give a completely unique and personal gift. There are lots of options when your artwork is designed just for you: Choose a highly stylized script that simply spells out the recipient's name. Fill the page with quotes, a personal speech, song lyrics, or the couple's name, repeated in various fonts and sizes. Create a shape with the text, and leave the surrounding space blank for a clean, modern look. Skip the digital completely, and create any text-based design in your own hand.

Text art and image

Whoever the recipient and whatever the occasion, adding a personal touch to a framed artwork is an excellent way to remind someone how much you care. It's also a great option for really individualizing your own home decor. At KeenART Media, we offer a great selection of text art and other personalized print styles, all created especially for you by our in-house graphic designer. We have a wide selection of picture frames to accompany your special print, and are always eager to help you realize your unique gift ideas. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about our products or services. Our knowledgeable staff are there to answer your enquiries and offer suggestions or advice. For images of the styles discussed here, and many more great ideas, be sure to check out our Pinterest board!

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