DIY Halloween Picture Matting Tutorial: Frame Your Ghost Prints

Are you ready to add some spooky charm to your home this Halloween? I’ve been busy decorating for the season. This year, I wanted to give our bathroom a fun, festive twist by adding Halloween wall art—specifically, ghost-themed prints framed with custom mats.

In this DIY Halloween picture matting tutorial, I’ll show you how to use card stock and simple craft supplies to frame your Halloween prints, giving them a polished, professional look. This project is perfect for any Halloween bathroom décor or Halloween home decoration idea!

Supplies You’ll Need

• Frame (mine was 11×17)
• Picture or print (mine was 8×10)
• Halloween scrapbook paper (available at craft stores like Michaels)
• White cardstock (for backing)
• Paper trimmer or Cricut cutter
• Double-sided craft tape or glue
• Ruler and scissors

Step 1: Prepping Your Frame

I started by removing the existing pictures from our bathroom wall. The frame I chose measured 11×17, but my ghost print from Amazon was smaller—just 8×10. To make the print fit nicely and look professional, I decided to create a DIY Halloween mat.

Step 2: Cutting the Top and Bottom Matting

I cut strips of Halloween scrapbook paper about 4 ½ inches wide for the top and bottom of the print.

Using a paper trimmer or a Cricut cutter makes this step much easier, ensuring straight edges and precise measurements.

Step 3: Adding Side Borders

The sides of my frame needed only half-inch strips to fill the space. I used leftover cardstock pieces, carefully trimming them so that cute ghost designs would remain intact. This way, you can make a Halloween picture frame that looks detailed and layered without wasting materials.

Step 4: Creating a Base Mat

To keep the cardstock strips flat and make assembly easier, I cut white cardstock to match the frame size and taped it together as a base. Then I layered the patterned Halloween paper on top. This creates a DIY picture mat that’s sturdy and perfect for framing.

Step 5: Assembling the Mat

Using double-sided craft tape, I attached:

• The top strip above the picture
• The bottom strip below the picture
• The ghosty side strips along the edges

Once everything was secured and trimmed, the mat was complete and ready to hold the print.

Step 6: Framing Your Print

With the mat finished, I placed my ghost print in the center and taped it down. Then I slid the entire mat and print into the frame and added the glass. And just like that, my first DIY Halloween picture frame was ready to display in the bathroom!

Tips for Your Halloween Wall Art

• This technique works for any holiday or season—simply swap out the patterned paper.
• Try layering multiple prints in a single frame for a gallery-style wall display.
• Use themed phrases or icons on your scrapbook paper to match your décor.

Framing your Halloween prints with a custom cardstock mat is an easy way to elevate any seasonal wall art. It’s budget-friendly, creative, and gives your home that extra festive touch for spooky season.

Whether you’re decorating a bathroom, hallway, or living room, this DIY Halloween picture matting project is perfect for adding charm, color, and Halloween spirit to your home.