Picture frames, profiles, and rabbets

All you wanted to do was order a simple picture frame...and then we started talking about rabbets. Now you're not so sure about the purchase since you don't really have the time or space to raise a bunny. Before you leave our site, let us explain! We're not trying to give away rabbits with each frame purchase. The "rabbet" we speak of is quiet different.

In the picture framing world, the rabbet is that area of overhang, or "lip", that your print sits in when mounted in your picture frame. For most framing needs any rabbet size is fine. The rabbet height and width comes into play when you have a print that is of significant thickness and you're not sure the frame will be able to hold it. In that instance, you'll need to look for a picture frame that is deep enough for your framing needs. Or maybe you have a print that you don't want completely covered up by the overhanging rabbit. If that is the case, look for a moulding style that has a thin rabbet.

On average, most frame moulding styles have a standard 1/4" rabbet width.