Emery Board

Emery Board

Definition

An Emery Board is a small, handheld sanding tool or block, typically coated with fine abrasive material, used for precision sanding along edges of materials. In picture framing and art preparation, it is often used to smooth small imperfections on frames, mats, or substrates.

Uses and Applications

• Smoothing rough edges on wood frame mouldings.
• Refining corners of mat boards or other substrates.
• Detail sanding in small or hard-to-reach areas.
• Preparing surfaces for finishing, painting, or staining.

Best Practices

• Use gentle, even pressure to avoid gouging or removing too much material.
• Work along the grain of wood surfaces when sanding frame mouldings.
• Clean the board periodically to remove dust and maintain abrasive effectiveness.
• Pair with fine-grit sandpaper for ultra-smooth finishes on delicate materials.

Related Terms

• Resolution
• Quire
• Frameless
• Yarn