Transforming your home with stunning artwork doesn’t have to be a luxury reserved for those with unlimited budgets. While a large, beautiful art print can undeniably create a significant design impact in any space, the prohibitive cost of custom framing often deters enthusiasts. Don’t let expensive framing stop you from adorning your walls with captivating art! You absolutely don’t need to empty your wallet to give your cherished prints a polished, professional look. This easy-to-follow tutorial will guide you through the process of crafting your own impressive, large DIY picture frames for less than $20 each, allowing you to beautifully display your art without the hefty price tag.
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Have you ever fallen in love with a piece of artwork, only to discover that the cost to frame it was astronomically high, pushing it far beyond your budget? It’s a frustrating scenario that many art lovers encounter. The expense of custom framing, especially for larger pieces, can be truly shocking. Even a simple frame with a basic mat can lead to significant sticker shock, making you reconsider your purchase.
Several years ago, as we began integrating large art prints into our home decor, we quickly realized a crucial truth: to truly afford the art itself, we had to become proficient in crafting our own DIY picture frames. This journey led us to experiment with various techniques, from creating our own DIY canvas frames for oversized canvas pieces to developing innovative oversized DIY magnetic poster hangers – perfect for spaces where art needs to be frequently changed or rearranged. Our commitment to budget-friendly decor fueled our creativity.
Over time, we’ve refined our framing methods. We started with straightforward DIY projects, such as our Large Wood Frame and a DIY Frame with No Power Tools (proving the immense power of wood glue!). Through continuous tweaking and learning, we’ve arrived at this tutorial, which represents what we believe to be the most effective, straightforward, and incredibly cost-efficient approach to building a substantial DIY photo frame for under $20. This method combines simplicity with professional-looking results, ensuring your art shines without breaking the bank.
Thank you to Mohawk Consumer Products for sponsoring this post. This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
And before you ask, you can find the sources for all the beautiful prints I’ve framed using this method at the bottom of this post. Happy crafting!
How to Make DIY Art Frames for Large Prints
Creating your own large art frames is a rewarding project that allows for complete customization and significant savings. This detailed guide breaks down each step, ensuring even novice DIYers can achieve beautiful, professional-looking results. Let’s get started on bringing your favorite large prints to life!
Planning and Preparation
Before diving into the cutting and assembly, careful planning is essential. Accurately measure your art print multiple times to ensure the frame fits perfectly. Consider the aesthetic you’re aiming for – a rich, dark stain can add elegance, while a lighter finish might suit a more modern or minimalist look. Gather all your materials and tools in a clear, well-ventilated workspace to ensure a smooth and safe crafting process.
Materials Needed
Having the right tools and materials on hand will make this DIY project efficient and enjoyable. Here’s everything you’ll need to create your stunning, budget-friendly art frames:
- 1 x 2 Pine Boards: These will form the main structure of your frame. The exact amount and length will depend on the dimensions of your art print. Pine is an excellent choice due to its affordability and ease of working.
- Screen Molding: This thin strip of wood is crucial for securing your print smoothly and tautly within the frame. Like the pine boards, the quantity depends on your frame size.
- Behlen Solar Lux Dye Stain: We highly recommend this brand for its deep penetration and rich color. We used “American Walnut” for a classic, sophisticated finish.
- Patchal Putty and Putty Knife: An absolute game-changer for seamlessly filling nail or staple holes. Its pre-colored formulation eliminates the need for post-staining touch-ups.
- Compound Miter Saw: Essential for precise, angled cuts that create clean frame corners. If you don’t own one, most hardware stores offer cutting services, or you can use a hand saw and miter box for a more manual approach.
- Sawtooth Hangers: For simple and secure wall hanging.
- Paper Towels: For cleaning, wiping excess stain, and general tidiness.
- Latex Gloves: To protect your hands from stain and putty.
- Sandpaper: Various grits for smoothing rough edges and preparing wood for staining.
- Staple Gun or Brad Nailer: A brad nailer provides a cleaner finish for attaching frame pieces. We are particularly fond of this one for its efficiency.
- 90-Degree Angle Clamps: These are invaluable for holding your frame pieces firmly at perfect right angles while assembling, ensuring a square and sturdy frame.
- Tape Measure: Crucial for accurate measurements, especially if you’re cutting your own wood.
Steps for DIY Picture Frame Tutorial
Time needed: 3 hours
Craft beautiful, custom-sized picture frames for your large art prints with this easy-to-follow, step-by-step DIY tutorial. Achieve professional results on a budget, giving your wall art the finished look it deserves.
- Step 1: Precisely Cut Boards and Screen Molding to Size.
Each frame requires four meticulously cut pieces from your 1″ x 2″ pine boards: two horizontal pieces and two vertical pieces. It’s crucial that the horizontal pieces slightly overhang the vertical pieces to achieve the correct frame structure. Similarly, you’ll need four pieces of screen molding, cut to the exact same lengths as your 1″ x 2″ frame pieces.
To ensure your frame is the perfect size, allowing ample surface area for securing your art prints, follow this precise sizing formula:
• Cut each horizontal piece to be 1/4 inch longer than the width of your print.
• Cut the vertical pieces to be 1 1/4 inches shorter than the height of your print. This accounts for the necessary overhang created by the horizontal pieces at the top and bottom.Refer to the diagram below, which illustrates this critical dimension formula. Although it was originally created for a different project, this exact “formula” applies universally to any size print you are working with, ensuring a perfectly proportioned frame every time.
Take your time with these cuts; precision here dictates the final quality of your frame. A compound miter saw is ideal for creating clean 45-degree angles for seamless corners. If using a hand saw, ensure your miter box is securely clamped to prevent movement and ensure accuracy. - Step 2: Sand and Stain for a Flawless Finish.
Once all your frame pieces are cut, gently sand any rough edges or splinters created by the saw. Start with a medium-grit sandpaper (around 120-150) to smooth imperfections, then follow up with a finer grit (220) for a silky-smooth finish. This preparation is key for optimal stain absorption.
Next, don your latex gloves and apply your chosen wood stain to all cut pieces. We find that a sponge applicator provides excellent control and even coverage, but a brush or a clean rag will also work well. Apply the stain in the direction of the wood grain, ensuring a consistent coat. For a deeper color, you might apply a second coat after the first has dried completely. Allow ample drying time according to the stain manufacturer’s instructions before proceeding to the next step.
- Step 3: Assemble the Wooden Frame Structure.
Now it’s time to bring your frame to life! Utilize your 90-degree clamps to securely hold the mitered corners together, creating tight, seamless joints. These clamps are invaluable for ensuring your frame is perfectly square. Once the clamps are in place and you’re satisfied with the alignment, use your staple gun or brad nailer to permanently attach the boards to each other. For those without power tools, a hammer and small nails can also work, though a nailer often provides a cleaner, stronger bond. Assemble all four sides, ensuring each corner is flush and secure, forming the robust skeleton of your frame.
- Step 4: Securely Position Your Print, Art, or Photograph.
Once you are absolutely confident that your stain is completely dry and the frame is stable, you’re ready to integrate your artwork. It’s worth noting that while this method is incredibly effective and affordable, we generally don’t recommend it for original, irreplaceable, or extremely expensive pieces of art. However, it is absolutely perfect for large posters, reproduction paper prints, or any art where an archival mounting isn’t strictly necessary, like the pieces we used here. Simply lay your art print face down onto the back side of your newly assembled frame, carefully centering and aligning it.
- Step 5: Add Screen Molding for a Taut Finish.
This step is where your frame truly begins to take its final, professional shape. You will now “sandwich” your print between the back of the main frame and your pre-cut pieces of screen molding. Position the screen molding pieces precisely along the edges of the print, ensuring they overlap the print slightly to hold it in place. Then, using your brad nailer, attach the screen molding to the back of the frame, securing the print firmly. This step is incredibly impactful; it keeps your prints wonderfully taut, smooth, and free from ripples, giving your DIY frame a truly finished and high-quality appearance. Ensure nails are spaced evenly for consistent pressure.
- Step 6: Flawlessly Patch Holes with Patchal Putty.
Once your entire DIY picture frame is fully assembled and the screen molding is secure, the final touch involves patching any visible nail or staple holes. Our absolute favorite product for this task is Mohawk’s Patchal Putty. It offers a vastly superior experience compared to traditional wood filler or spackle, thanks to its unique, almost buttery or Crisco-like texture, making it incredibly easy to work with. The standout feature, however, is that it comes pre-colored. This eliminates the common frustration of trying to stain wood filler to match your project – a task we’ve often found challenging to perfect. For this project, the “Van Dyke Brown” color blended seamlessly with our American Walnut stain, providing an invisible repair that enhances the overall finish of the frame.
The transformation is instant and remarkable. Here’s a before and after comparison, showcasing how quickly and effectively this putty works – the entire process takes mere seconds for each hole, significantly elevating the finished look of your DIY frame! - Step 7: Attach Hanging Hardware and Display.
The final step is to prepare your beautifully framed art for display. Attach appropriate photo hanging hardware, such as sawtooth hangers, to the top center of each frame. For larger, heavier frames, consider using two hangers spaced apart for better balance and support. Once the hardware is securely installed, your magnificent DIY art frames are ready to be proudly hung on your walls, instantly elevating the aesthetics of your home. Enjoy the satisfaction of creating something beautiful and personalized!
There you have it – a straightforward, incredibly effective, and budget-friendly method for creating professional-looking frames for your large art prints! I absolutely love how these frames turned out, completely customizable to fit any art size. Our stairwell gallery wall, now adorned with these stunning DIY pieces, brings so much joy and character to our home. The sense of accomplishment that comes from crafting your own home decor is truly unmatched.
The Impact of Affordable Large Frames
By investing a small amount of time and effort into making these DIY picture frames, you can significantly stretch your decorating budget. This allows you to acquire more beautiful artwork or invest in higher-quality prints, knowing that framing costs won’t be an obstacle. Imagine adorning your walls with stunning, large-scale art that truly reflects your style, all while keeping your finances in check. There’s no longer a need to delay filling your home with captivating pieces because of tight budget constraints – you can keep both your walls and your wallet happy!
The beauty of this DIY approach lies not just in the savings but also in the ability to perfectly match the frame to your art and existing decor. You choose the wood, the stain, and the finish, ensuring a harmonious look that store-bought frames often can’t provide. This level of personalization makes your art even more special and integrated into your living space. So, embrace the DIY spirit and start transforming your home with unique, custom-framed art today.
Beyond framing, there are many ways to infuse your home with beautiful art. Learning how to choose art that flows through your home is a fundamental step to elevating its overall design and aesthetic. Additionally, don’t be afraid to think big – large-scale art makes a profound impact, serving as a focal point and adding drama to any room. And now, armed with this easy-to-follow tutorial, you have the perfect method for creating DIY picture frames that provide that ideal finished look for any large print!
Shop Our Art
Curious about the stunning prints featured in our framed projects? Below, you’ll find all the details about the artwork we’ve used and framed. Scroll through and click on any image to explore full product details and perhaps discover your next favorite piece for your own home!
SHOP OUR ART
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