I designed three different styles of canvas frames with three different mounting techniques, and they’re all super simple to build. All you need are various pieces of wood and the tools shown below, and guess what? None of them are power tools! So if you’re a little leery of wielding a power drill, router, or chop saw, don’t worry! You don’t need ’em. This low-fuss method will get the job done.
–various pieces of wood
-wood glue
-finishing nails or wire brads (size depends on depth of wood)
-paint or wood stain
-sandpaper
Tools:
-miter box saw (can be purchased for $15 on Amazon here)
-band clamp
-various clamps
-hammer
-tape measure
-pencil
-paint brush or rags
To begin, you’ll need to decide which style of mount you want for your frame and how thick and detailed the frame will be. For a wider, chunkier frame, you’ll need spacer wood for between the canvas stretcher and the edge of your frame. You can bring your art with you to the lumber yard (or just dimensions if you’re shy about toting around your art) and try stacking together different pieces of wood, square dowels, and molding to get the look you want. Check out my frame profiles below to get ideas for your own frame, and if you want more detail in yours, don’t be shy about adding molding too!
A recessed mount is a traditional framing technique where the art sits behind the frame and the very edge of the art is covered by the lip of the frame. A float mount, the most difficult to build, is sometimes used in canvas framing to give even more dimension to the piece by creating a decorative gap between the canvas’s edge and the frame’s edge. Something that you might see more frequently on larger pieces of canvas art is the flush mount, where the frame is simply attached to the edge of the canvas stretcher, with no lip on the front or back.
Flush Mount Frame
The flush mount frame I designed is mounted relatively flush with the surface of the canvas and is nailed directly to the edge of the canvas stretcher, without assembling the frame first. It’s the easiest frame to make, in my opinion, and I think it looks nice with larger pieces of artwork.
Step One: To begin, I purchased two 8′ long pieces of cedar 1x2s, lightly sanded them, and then stained them with my own gray mix of these three stains pictured above: Rustoleum Driftwood, Rustoleum Willow, and Minwax Golden Oak.
Step Two: Rather than measuring the edge of my frame and transferring those measurements to the lumber, I just laid my 1×2 against the frame and marked the length of the canvas directly onto the lumber.
After making the cut, you may want to lightly sand down the corners if you have any splintering.
Step Five: Use finishing nails or wire brads to attach the frame to the canvas stretcher, making sure to also drive nails through the mitered joints in the corner, giving the wood glue some extra strength. Wood glue isn’t very strong when applied to end grains of wood, so the nails are a necessary step unless you use a stronger adhesive like Gorilla Glue.
*When using a band clamp on soft wood, be sure to use a piece of scrap wood as a buffer between the clamp and the wood so the clamp doesn’t leave an imprint on the wood. Not sure how to use a band clamp? This YouTube video is really helpful!
The traditional recessed mount frame utilizes a rabbet, or inset, for the art to sit nestled in behind the frame. It hides a small border of the art, which works out well if the edges of your canvas aren’t finished. This frame is assembled prior to attaching the artwork, as opposed to the flush mount frame which is built directly onto the canvas stretcher.
The materials you need to build this particular frame are as follows:
-outside edge piece: 1/2×3″ lumber
-middle piece: 1/2×2″ lumber
-inside edge piece: 1/2″ lumber
-top edge piece: 3/8×2″ lumber
Step One: Glue together the 1/2×3″ outside piece with the middle and inside edge piece as listed in the supplies above and shown in the above right image. You’ll need to use clamps to hold together the wood as the glue dries. Be sure to wipe away any seeping glue with a damp cloth before it dries.
Step Four: Cut your lengths of wood with the miter box saw according to the measurements from step three. I like to err on the side of longer than necessary, because you can always cut off more than you need! Lay the parallel boards against each other to make sure they are the same length.
After the fit is just right, spread some wood glue with your finger onto the edges of the frame pieces and fit together the joints with the band clamp, wiping away any excess glue before it dries.
Flip the frame over and attach the canvas from the back by driving longer nails through the canvas stretchers and into the frame.
I personally think float mount frames look the most professional, but maybe that’s because it was the most finicky of my frames to make, so I was the most proud of this one! Float mounts leave a space between the edge of the canvas and the sides of the frame. They provide dimensionality to the framed piece and are a great way to show off gallery wrapped edges of canvas art. I personally thought this float mount frame would be great to give a more substantial feel to a thin, less expensive canvas piece.
For my float frame, I used the following wood:
-1/2×2″ lumber painted white
-1/2″ square dowel stained dark (though I suggest using a 1/2×1″ piece of lumber instead)
Step One: Glue the bottom piece of the frame to the side piece and clamp into place. Make sure you wipe away the excess glue before it dries! I used a 1/2″ square dowel for this, but it was exceptionally difficult to later attach the canvas to such a narrow space, so if I were to go back in time, I would select a 1/2×1″ piece of lumber instead.
Follow Steps 3-5 of the recessed mount frame above, but instead of adding 1/8″ to the dimension of the artwork for your frame, add about 1/4″ to create the float space in the frame.
It was a little difficult attaching the canvas to that little dowel in my float frame, but I love the results! Such a handsome frame ready for display!
Credits // Author and Photography: Mandi Johnson. Photos edited with Spring and Valentine of the Signature Collection.
49 Comments
So cool! I was lusting after that first frame when you posted the abstract art DIY! I had no idea you made it yourself! Wow, I never would have thought about this. Thanks Mandi!
Very cool! Have a bunch of things to frame. Thanks for the tips.
My boyfriend and I have so many pieces of custom art, but we’re never sure how to hang them! Often the dimensions are far from typical sizing, so we’d need to buy a custom frame. This looks so much more personal and affordable. Also the painting in that example is gorgeous!
Cat
http://oddlylovely.com
As some Craft stores, you can get some canvas steps, basically they look like little metal stair steps that you can screw into the fram of the float mount and it will hold your canvas in place without putting holes in it. I can’t remember the name of it, but they come in 1/8th, 1/4th, 1/2 and 7/8ths steps.
Just a suggestion for those who have originals that putting any nail hole into would decrease the value of the paiting.
This is brilliant! Thank you for sharing this. I’ve long ago retired my huge chop saw and fancy mitering equipment. This is going to get passed along to all of my students. Let the framing begin!
That’s gorgeous, I love it!
Oh wow! Great job, Mandi! These frames look amazing! Thanks for sharing all three different ways to make them, too. I totally thought you were going to be like “here’s three ways and I did it this way.” So glad that wasn’t the case. Can’t wait to experiment with these!
PS: On step four I think there’s a typo, about halfway down you say a dab of paint instead of glue 🙂
I never knew there were so many different techniques to use! Thanks so much for explaining it all in great detail for us to understand 🙂
http://everydayingrace.blogspot.ca/
Sweet tips. Good to keep in mind! 🙂
xoxo,
the bbb blogger
I make all my own art, so I had been wondering if there was some way to make my own frames! Store bought one’s ARE SO expensive! Thanks so much for this!
This is seriously impressive – might just have to try it out myself!
xoxo, thanks for sharing!
Kali
http://www.204park.com
This post makes me so happy. I have been toying around with making some frames for awhile.
Thank you thank you thank you for this post! I have been trying to figure out how to build my own frame, but have been intimidated by the tutorials I found online. I think I can handle this one!
Wow, what a great tutorial! You just made framing look so easy that I’m psyched to give it a shot. Thanks!
I was so excited to see this! It will definitely come in handy. Right now I’m looking for a good DIY option for a print though…I have a large (25×25) print waiting to be framed since Christmas. Could I add glass to any of these for a print, maybe with the recessed mount?
You guys! This is soo awesome!
http://www.iolablog.com/
This looks so easy! I’ll definitely try it with some of my paintings, when I have the time and get some tools!!
http://www.peonyandpeach.blogspot.com
So great! Thanks for your effort and sharing!
Nice inspiration.
xx
http://www.fashiondenis.com/
That Recessed Mount Frame is so effective! You’ve made me realise one of my canvasses could really do with a wooden frame – worth investing in the miter box saw I think!
Gah! This is just what I needed. My mother-in-law painted a portrait of our dog that I have been wanting to frame. Can’t wait to tackle this weekend project!! (our Crosby!! http://jovannarmstrong.com/works/1375939/crosby)
Oh my goodness, what great options!
xx Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
Yeah, that would’ve been my first choice too, except I was trying to create these framing options specifically for people who don’t own and can’t borrow any power tools. Though you might be able to hand screw them onto the frame with sheet metal screws into soft wood. Honestly, if you made the back of the float frame wide enough, you can nail through the frame into the stretcher frame without damaging the art on the canvas.
-Mandi
It might be tricky to do without a little indent to hold the glass in place. But you could create that by layering a recessed shim in there when constructing the frame! You’ll also, of course, need to screw in some kind of holder for the glass, like those little guys that pivot on a screw- not sure what they’re called! It’s something I plan on trying someday. 🙂
-Mandi
custom framing is so expensive! I love the pictures you framed 🙂
http://emmasbeginning.blogspot.ca
Thanks for this post! I live in an apartment and don’t have any garage or backyard space for big projects that involve power tools so I’m excited to try these framing projects in the future!
holy smokes, this is a great post. I’m going to reference it lateskys.
-Josh
Wow, these look incredible! I’m really looking forward to trying some of these techniques out; especially those last two!
xoxo
Taylor
Wow, I wish I’d known about this back in college. All that money spent on custom framing kits for my artwork. I don’t even want to think about it.
Mandi, you have done it again! Seriously, I need to tell you that your projects always keep me in a state of ‘OH MY GOSH THAT IS JUST WHAT I NEEDED!’ Especially this project, which is going to come in super handy when figuring out what type of framing to make for all of my canvases from a painting class i took last semester in school.
That being said, thank you so much for being awesome all the time.
Looking forward to whatever project is next!
<3 Taylor
Thanks for the ideas! I hope to try it. I had literally been planning to search pinterest for an option this week.
This is great! Love this post!
breakfastatlizzies.weebly.com
Seeing mitre cutter reminds me of the one my dad used to use to frame his own paintings when I was small. It was screwed to an old bedside table used as a storage unit in our family bathroom (Hmm….Stylish!) Thankyou for the memory….
I tend to use ready-made frames supplied complete with glass and backing board as most of my work is in watercolour, which has to be presented behind glass ( in case somebody spills a drink on it or a fly decides to take a “comfort break” on it!) But canvasses are much easier and cheaper to frame.
Great post: I shall have a try with the framing ideas when I’ve used my new Golden acrylic gel(bought today after seeing your post on transferring photos last night) to make a vintage style photo canvas. Perhpas I’ll dig up my old photo of dad painting at his easel to transfer.
Thanks for this, Beautiful Messy Girls!
Hi Ya
They are great ideas, i prefer the floating frame. I will try and give it a go if time is on my side, will have to blow off the dust of my tools first 🙂
Blessings Janet
I worked as a custom framer at Michaels and know how outrageous some of the frames cost. However, if your art is worth something (sentimental or otherwise) you need to think about using acid free. Regular old wood will ruin your art over time. If you want to keep your art for many years or pass it on to future generations you NEED to take care of it. Acid will discolour and destroy your art.
What a great idea. You have a great blog! How about this fashionable DIY idea, great if youre into fashion magazines and personalizing furniture! http://likeahipster.wordpress.com/2014/08/01/magazine-furniture-diy/
One alternative for the lazy, unskilled, untooled or time-poor:
1) Buy some good-sized cheap frames (You may find cheap art within. Discard! Art is war!).
Find them at fleamarkets, garage sales, thrift stores etc.
2) Cut them down to the size you need.
3) With what you save, buy absinthe. You’re an artist.
Yes the float frame is just what I need – will have to try this
thanks for sharing your DYI
Love! Thanks for sharing!
So cool and awesome!!
http://justsem.wordpress.com/
Hi
Looks so easy and doable
Aziz
Wooow, what an awesome job!
A beautiful Mess, you are amazingly great. I was already thinking of quitting the course with thoughts of aquiring the machines blowing me up until this, i have a future. Thank you.
Hello,
I want to place an order from you, to our store in Netherlands .I want to know if you can ship here and accept credit card as a form of payment.
Reply back asap
Thanks
Sorry, this is a DIY post. Meaning it’s directions so you can do the project yourself. We don’t take orders for these frames.
Hi! Thank you for providing thorough easy instructions. I have one question. In two photos I see what looks like a chrome piece that fits over the corner, presumable while using the band strap. Where do you find those? Thanks!
The frames look beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Hi! Thank you so much for these amazing instructions! One question for you: for the Recessed Mount Frame, the inside edge piece is just listed as 1/2″ lumber. Does that second dimension just not matter for that piece? Thank you!
Hi can you tell me what that one tool is that creates the corners really nicely ???