18X24 Frame Matted To 12X18 – 5 GREAT Options!

Looking for an 18×24 frame matted to 12×18?

That’s a great option if you have a photograph or art poster that measures 12 by 18 inches.

The large size of the frame devotes a nice bit of area for the image, emphasizing its importance to you.

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You can also find a way to hang it vertically or horizontally.

Even a single picture frame can turn a plain-looking wall into something attractive and colorful.

Spruce Up the Wall

It’s obviously a more convenient way of sprucing up the look of a wall than repainting the wall or putting up new wallpaper.

Your choice of image also tells everyone who enters the room about your preferences and tastes.

Of course, the effect of the image will be affected by the type of frame you use.

That’s why you can’t just use any random 18×24 frame matted to 12×18.

What Is Matting?

When you check out an 18×24 frame matted to 12×18, it means the whole frame measures 18 inches by 24 inches.

Right inside the frame, you have the matting, which is another type of material separate from the frame.

This matting then borders the actual photograph or artwork.

In other words, the matting is the middle area between the frame and the actual image.

What’s the Matting For?

Basically, there are 2 reasons for having matting for your frame.

First, the matting is an additional decoration that intensifies the artwork.

The second main reason is for extra protection from a glass frame for the artwork.

Making Your Art Pop

The matting can add size, depth, and color to your artwork, which can then enhance the overall effect of the image.

With the right frame and mat, the matting doesn’t distract from the image.

Instead, the matting directs the viewer to the artwork as the actual main focal point.

The matting offers a distinct border away from a frame, which may be beautiful in its own right.

How to Choose a Mat to Enhance a Photograph, Painting, or Poster

So how do you pick a 18×24 frame matted to 12×18 with the right mat?

Here are some useful tips to consider:

• Simple colors are some of the more popular options, like white, cream, and gray. That’s because they tend to work well with other colors no matter what.
• Usually, it’s best if the color of the matting is lighter than the general color of the artwork or photograph.
• The matting should also be darker than the color of the wall itself.
• Double mats and triple mats can provide a more 3D aspect to the artwork.
• Some experts say that the matting should be at least 2x as wide as the width of the frame. This is for visual appeal and also for added protection.

How Does Matting Protect a Photograph or Painting?

If you want to protect a painting or photograph, you also use a glass cover over the image.

That way, no one can smudge a painting by touching it with their hands.

No one can also ruin a photo by accidentally spilling a cup of coffee or soda over the painting (unusual, but hypothetically possible).

Or if you want something more likely, how about kids or vandals writing over photos and artwork?

The glass offers a nice cover over the image.

The main problem is you don’t want the glass itself to touch the artwork, which is especially true if it’s a painting.

Matting Holds the Glass

The matting is the solution here, because it offers the platform for the glass to rest on, so that the glass doesn’t actually touch the image surface.

In addition, the extra space afforded by the matting protects the image from condensation.

If water develops inside the glass, you don’t want that water to touch the image or artwork.

That will just result in water damage, or mold and mildew issues.

Our TOP 5 18X24 Frames Matted To 12X18

Okay, we know what the dimensions are, for the most part.

But there are plenty of options to choose from with just the measurements to go by.

If you want to make sure you’re getting a terrific frame with these dimensions, do yourself a favor and start with these excellent frames:

1. EcoHome18x24 Picture Frame Walnut Wood – Matted for 12×18 Poster

“Uses Affordable yet Resilient Plexiglass”

Our Rating: 4.5

We picked the walnut wood here, though there are other material options for the frame.

The wood could have come in black, gray, or beige, and there’s a natural oak option as well.

The walnut looks nice, and what’s more it offers a definite contrast to the white mat.

The frame is also an inch wide, which doesn’t overwhelm the painting or poster.

At the same time, it offers a clear delineation between the matting and the wall.

Materials

The frame is actually made with durable MDF wood, which is engineered wood that’s both smooth and consistent.

Then you have clear plexiglass over the poster for protection from dust and other hazards.

Around the poster, you have a beveled cut white mat.

Stamped hanging hardware has also been pre-attached, so you can just hang this anywhere.

Why Plexiglass?

Plexiglass is more affordable than actual glass, so its use here lowers the price.

But plexiglass is stronger and more resistant to shattering.

It also resists erosion and the elements better than standard glass.

Safe Delivery

Quite a lot of frames tend to suffer during the delivery process, but you won’t have to worry about this frame.

The packaging includes the use of a tray box with lots of bubble wrap to make sure that the frame survives the delivery process intact and undamaged.

The packaging is so impressive that you can even reuse it to package fragile watercolor paintings for international delivery.

Eco-Friendly

EcoHome recycles the expanded polystyrene (EPS) to make the moldings for the frame.

This recycling process keeps EcoHome from using up thousands of trees every year.

Mat Spacing

Technically speaking, the space within the mat isn’t exactly 8 inches by 12 inches.

It’s about 7.5 inches by 11.3 inches.

This lets you tape the 8×12 photo or poster to the back of the mat.

Setup

The frame comes with the picture hanger and thin cable wires already attached, which is quite convenient.

There are 2 hooks here (vertical and horizontal), which means you can hang the frame either horizontally or vertically.

You also get the wire, hooks, and nails so that’s everything you need for hardware for wall mounting.

All you need is a hammer, and you’re good to go.

But you don’t even need to pound nails into the walls.

The frame is lightweight enough that you can use something like Command Picture Hanging strips to hang this on the wall.

2. Craig Frames 26273

“Contrasting Black and White Borders”

Our Rating: 4.5

This is picture frame is Matted to Display an 18 x 24 Inch Photo and is 22 x 28 inches with a Black Satin finish.

True, it’s a bit larger than the 18×24 frame matted to 12×18 we’re supposed to be looking for.

But then again, what if you have a picture that’s also 18 inches on one side but 24 inches (instead of 12) on the other side?

If that’s the case, then we have you covered.

(If you still want the 18×24 frame matted to 12×18 option, it’s still available from Craig Frames.

One nice option is the Craig Frames 76656953, which has a textured brown oak picture frame.)

Black Satin and Other Frame Colors

We went with the black satin frame this time, as black picture frames offer a dramatic contrast to the white mat.

It also helps that the width of the frame is quite substantial, as it is 1¼ inches wide.

The frame really connotes a feeling of “serious art” for whatever photo you want to exhibit within the frame.

Use this with a light-colored wall, and it will catch the eye of most people in the room.

Of course, you still have other frame colors to pick from.

These include satin gray, light brown, gray barnwood, rustic black pine, white satin, brown, dark brown, and a brown and gray combo.

Preparing the Frame

Each purchase (for frames at least 12×18 in size) comes with acrylic facing that’s only 0.05 inches thick along with the rigid cardboard backing.

Then you have the wire-hanging kit, which may require the services of a handyman if you don’t have the tools and expertise of a DIY enthusiast.

The good news is that there’s a clear picture manual of the tools needed and the steps to take for a DIY hobbyist to follow.

Detachable Matting

With the mat, you can display a poster or photo that measures 18 by 24 inches with no trouble.

The matting will only overlap the photo by ¼ of an inch on each side, which should be enough for taping the photo to the mat.

But you can take out the mat and you can frame a photo that measures 22 by 28 inches.

The frame will also overlap the photo on each side by only ¼ of an inch.

Interior Design Compatibility

It has a sharp contrast between the black frame and white matting.

It’s easy enough to see how this will fit in nicely in a contemporary home with lots of modern furnishings and technology.

Yet somehow, it also blends nicely with a rustic setting.

It’s like something from the Loft Bauhaus school of design, which combines rustic warmth with modern looks.

This can work with artwork, photos, or even inspirational quote posters.

3. Craig Frames 23247616

“Nice Frame for Family Pictures”

Our Rating: 4.5

We’ve already mentioned that Craig Frames actually offers a true 18×24 frame matted to 12×18.

We’ve also mentioned the textured brown oak as an example.

But we switched to the Craig Frames 23247616, which comes in the brown walnut frame.

The other options include distressed gold, brushed silver, gray, Brazilian walnut brown, white, rustic copper, scratched silver, and 2 shades of black.

The Brazilian walnut brown is also rather similar to black too.

Why Brown Walnut?

We were drawn to the brown walnut, because it really comes through with its woodsy looks.

It’s nicely rustic, but it won’t look out of place in a modernly furnished home.

Its overall effect is quite friendly, if you’re hanging a photograph.

For photos of loved ones, it really gives off a feeling of affection and friendliness.

The frame also doesn’t distract you from any artwork or artistic photo you may want to exhibit.

The brown frame becomes neutral, and with the white matting all your attention is drawn to the image, so for artwork, it’s an effective presentation.

Dimensions

The matted frame will certainly show off a 12 by 18 image, with the mat overlapping the image by ¼ of an inch.

Again, that’s sufficient overlap for a secure attachment using tape.

The frame is an inch wide, and you can take out the matting to frame an image measuring 18 by 24 inches.

What You Get

Your purchase also gets you the clear acrylic cover for the artwork, and the rigid cardboard backing.

You also receive the hanging hardware kit, and you’ll have to assemble this yourself.

DIY

You may want to find a nice handyman to help you out, unless you already have some DIY experience.

The hardware is here, but you need tools and DIY experience to do the assembly properly.

For an experienced hobbyist, the assembly is easy.

But for others, it’s a no-go.

MDF Composite Frame

The frame is made with MDF composite.

It’s lightweight, and also quite durable.

It offers a homey vibe that works great for posters and photos, which are the usual stuff regular folks hang in the first place.

Clear Acrylic Cover

The photo is also protected by the clear acrylic cover, which won’t shatter as easily as glass.

It’s also very transparent, so nothing stands in your way in enjoying the sight of the image you’re displaying.

The crisp white mat looks very professional, though you may want to be careful when you handle it.

It looks like it’s been properly cut, so you can enjoy the photo without any distractions.

4. Craig Frames 314GD

“Perfect for a Victorian Manor”

Our Rating: 4.5

Some people like a more eye-catching frame, and nothing catches the eye like gold.

If you like gold in your wristwatches (and let’s face it, gold is rather nice), then you may like a golden 18×24 frame matted to 12×18.

More specifically, this is the “Ornate Gold” frame.

The other options in this range include Ornate Silver, and Ornate White and Silver.

An Instinctive Reaction to Gold

Let’s admit one thing: gold really looks great.

In fact, for thousands of years we humans have been drawn to its bright and shiny allure.

It almost glows.

This barely explains the effect of this Ornate Gold frame, but it starts with the color.

Intriguing Details

Then you add in intriguing details like the beaded inlay, and the overall effect is quite clear.

It’s ideal for your most “valuable” posters and artwork, even though its price isn’t all that high.

Still, there’s a feeling of an antique you can’t deny.

Especially since the ornate gold look seems like it’s been around for decades (or even for more than a hundred years).

The tarnished undertones surely help in making it look much older.

Heirloom Effect

This may look best in some sort of Victorian interior design, to be honest.

Back in the late 19^th century, homes would have appreciated having this frame in their receiving room.

This is the room where the Victorian upper crust received their guests, so they made sure this was the most opulent room in the house.

For contemporary settings and rustic interiors, this frame certainly stands out.

Chances are your guests will be drawn to the photo in this frame, just because the frame seems old and valuable.

Modern Issues

This does come with an acrylic facing, which works well enough in giving you a good view while protecting the photo inside.

You also get the wire-hanging hardware kit, which you need to put together yourself.

Hopefully, you have the tools you need to set everything properly so you can hang this to the wall.

It’s easy enough for a DIY hobbyist, with the right tools and expertise.

If you’re not into DIY, then you may have to hire a handyman or find a friend who can help.

Measurements

The frame is made with solid poplar wood, and it’s ¾ of an inch wide.

The width can’t be too wide, or else the golden frame might distract from the exhibited photo.

The matting again overlaps the photo by ¼ of an inch.

You can take out the mat, and the frame will also overlap the 18×24 poster or photo by ¼ of an inch.

5. Craig Frames 21307201

“Perfect Frame for Family Members”

Our Rating: 5

Not everyone wants a subtle 18×24 frame matted to 12×18.

In some cases, people like a bold frame to really enhance a photo.

This version certainly fits, since the frame molding is 3 inches wide!

Pick a bold picture to show off with this frame, or else the viewers won’t notice the picture within the frame at all.

Copper and Black

There’s a Silver and Black option, but we went for the distressed Copper and Black look.

It confers a feeling of age and antiquity, which is great if you’re showing a photo of your parents or grandparents.

In fact, this is best for a photo showcasing a momentous event, such as your dad in his military (or police, or fireman) uniform.

Maybe it could showcase even your graduation picture.

Here you can also put in a formal family picture, your wedding portrait, or even the first picture of your kid.

Overlap

The white mat overlaps the 12×18 photo by ¼ of an inch.

But take note that the frame is 3 inches wide, so you can’t really take out the matting at all to display a larger photo.

DIY Problem

It’s another Craig Frames product, so don’t be surprised that you again have to deal with the wire hanging kit.

You’ll need the tools and the DIY knowledge to assemble this right.

If you have none of these, it’s time to call the handyman.

Conclusion: 18X24 Frame Matted To 12X18

If you want a simpler frame instead of electronic picture frames, you can get what you want.

Start with any of the options we listed here, and you’re off to a great start.

You can even get a frames set for your collection of artworks.

You can go with the frames by EcoHome, if you don’t want a fuss with the assembly.

But the Craig Frames offer a lot more range in visual effects.

If you can get a handyman to assemble it, then a Craig Frames 18×24 frame matted to 12×18 will really stand out on your wall!