Profile describes the two-dimensional cross-section (the silhouette) of a frame moulding when viewed from the end of the moulding stick. The profile defines the moulding's contour, depth, steps, and decorative features - and it is one of the primary design and functional decisions when selecting a picture frame. A profile affects visual weight, how the frame reads with the artwork, how mats and glazing seat, and how the frame joins at the corners.

How Profiles are Read & Measured

Profile shape: The visible contour - e.g., flat, ogee (S-curve), scoop, rounded, beaded, ribbed, or stepped.
Profile width (face width): The horizontal measurement across the front face of the moulding from outermost edge to the inner lip - see Profile Width.
Profile depth / frame height: The vertical thickness from the front face to the back of the moulding (also called rabbet depth when measured from the front to the rabbet floor).
Lip and rabbet: The inner flange or ledge that supports glazing and artwork is the lip; its position and thickness are integral to the profile and affect how mats, glazing, and backing fit.
Corner reveal & sightline: The visible portion of the profile when a frame is assembled; small changes in profile geometry change the sightline and perceived proportions.

Common Profile Shapes & Styles

Flat profile: Clean, modern, minimal; often used for contemporary and photographic presentation.
Ogee / Roman ogee: An S-shaped curve, classic and formal - common for traditional and reproduction frames.
Scoop / scoop-edge: A concave face that can soften the transition from frame to mat or artwork.
Beaded / ribbed: Small repeating ornament along the face for texture and classical detail.
Rounded / bullnose: Smooth, curved face - casual and often used with modern or rustic finishes.
Layered or stepped profiles: Multiple levels that can act like built-in liners or create strong shadowing effects.
Specialty profiles (example): Swan Profile - a named decorative shape often recognized as part of a maker's catalog.

Functional Considerations (Fit & Protection)

Rabbet depth: Must be sufficient to accept glazing, mat, artwork, and backing without bowing. Deeper profiles suit thicker contents (e.g., box frames, shadow boxes).
Lip position: A high or low lip changes how far the glazing sits from the artwork and impacts the need for spacers to prevent contact.
Profile width vs. artwork scale: Narrow artworks often read poorly in very wide mouldings; large works can be overwhelmed by very narrow mouldings. Use Profile Width appropriate to artwork size and viewing distance.
Mat & liner compatibility: Some profiles are designed to accept built-in liners or reveal grooves (V-groove, V-inlay); others rely entirely on separate mats.

Aesthetic Considerations

Proportion and balance: Match profile scale to artwork scale and room scale. Heavier, wider profiles suit large, dramatic works; thin profiles suit minimalist, modern pieces.
Style matching: Ornate profiles pair with classical works; flat or narrow profiles pair with contemporary photography and prints.
Finish interaction: Profile contour affects how light plays across a finish (gilding, lacquer, painted); pronounced curves emphasize highlights and shadows.
Visual flow: Consider how the profile interacts with the mat edge, sightline, and surrounding architecture - small profile changes alter perceived depth and focus.

Materials & Manufacturing

Solid wood mouldings: Carved or milled profiles offering traditional finishes-stain, oil gild, painted finishes.
Composition (compo) & resin mouldings: Economical or highly ornate profiles produced from molded materials and often gilded or painted.
Extruded metal/ aluminum: Manufactured profiles (flat, L-shaped, rounded) for modern, slim frames; often anodized or painted.
Laminate or foil-covered: Engineered sticks with a printed/foil surface over MDF or composite core - consistent profiles with varied surface looks.

Installation & Joinery Implications

Mitering tolerance: Complex profiles (deep ogees, heavy ornament) require precision cutting and may need joining biscuits, dovetail keys, or spline reinforcement for stability.
Corner samples: Always review a corner sample to confirm how the profile reads at true scale and with chosen finish before full production.
Hardware & rabbet accessories: Profiles with shallow rabbets may require offset clips, spacers, or backing adjustments to hold contents securely.

Conservation & Practical Concerns

Sealing and off-gassing: Some composite mouldings or finishes can off-gas; when conservation is a priority, select stable materials and consider conservation framing practices.
Glazing spacing: Profile geometry dictates whether glazing will sit close to artwork - use spacers or deeper rabbets to prevent contact with delicate surfaces.
Repairability: Solid wood profiles are often easier to repair and restore than molded or foil surfaces.

Choosing & Specifying a Profile - Practical Tips

Bring the artwork (or an accurate mockup) to compare profiles in person; photographs rarely convey true scale or finish behavior.
Request corner samples and full stick previews when ordering large or high-value frames.
Match profile width to viewing distance and artwork scale; a simple rule: larger rooms and larger works benefit from proportionally wider profiles.
Confirm rabbet depth early if the piece includes thickness (framed objects, shadow boxes, deep mats).
If preservation is important, specify archival substrates and finishes and avoid low-grade composition mouldings that may emit volatiles.

Maintenance & Repair

Dust profiles with a soft brush or microfibre cloth; ornate mouldings trap dust and may require gentle vacuuming with a soft nozzle.
Minor finish damage on wood can often be repaired with touch-up markers or fillers; complex molded finishes may require replacement of the moulding stick.
Inspect miters periodically for movement and reinforce with keys or biscuits if gaps appear.

Common Use Cases & Examples

Fine art oil painting: Deep, ornate profiles or stepped liners that echo traditional museum framing.
Contemporary photography: Slim metal or flat wood profiles that emphasize the image rather than the frame.
Canvas & floater frames: L-shaped or deep profiles that create a gap (floating effect) without covering the canvas edges.
Children's rooms or casual d�cor: Rounded or painted flat profiles for durability and approachable aesthetics.

Profile