Framing Diamond Paintings: No Cutting, No Problem

Diamond paintings are a form of mosaic art that involves placing colourful diamonds onto a pre-glued canvas to create a dazzling masterpiece. Framing your diamond painting is an easy and rewarding way to showcase your artwork and turn it into a permanent part of your home décor. While diamond paintings can be framed like a standard photo, there are a few additional steps and considerations to keep in mind. This includes measuring your artwork correctly, choosing the right type of frame and backing, and deciding whether to include glass or not. With the right tools and techniques, you can create a stunning display for your diamond painting without having to cut it.

Choose a frame smaller than the diamond art canvas

When framing a diamond painting, the size of the canvas, the style of the artwork, and your personal decorating choices all influence the frame you choose. If you want to avoid cutting your diamond painting to fit a frame, you can choose a frame that is slightly smaller than your diamond art canvas. This will allow for a border around your artwork, which can be wrapped around the edges of the canvas or left as a border.

To do this, first measure your diamond painting, excluding the border. Then, find a frame that is slightly smaller than your painting. You can find standard frames in a range of sizes and materials, such as wood, aluminium, or plastic, at craft stores or online. If your artwork is a specific size, you may need to select a custom-made frame.

When selecting a frame, consider the thickness of your diamond painting and the style of the artwork. Standard frames typically have a space between the artwork and the frame's edge to create a sense of depth, which is ideal for diamond paintings to accommodate the thickness of the diamonds. The frame should also complement the style of your artwork and your interior design. For example, a gold and ornate frame may suit a classic or romantic piece, while a simple and sleek frame may be better for a modern or minimalist diamond artwork.

Once you have your frame, you can attach your diamond painting by wrapping the edges of the painting around the frame and securing it with glue, tape, or staples. This will create a finished look and ensure your diamond painting is displayed securely.

Use a backing board and glue to secure the artwork

Diamond paintings can be showcased in a number of ways, including with a standard frame from a craft store, with artist's stretcher bars, with an art canvas, or by taking it to a professional framing shop.

If you want to use a backing board and glue to secure your diamond painting without cutting it, here is one way to do it:

First, determine the size of your diamond painting and choose a backing board that is slightly smaller. You can use a foam board or a stiff card/poster board as your backing board. Cut the backing board to size, making sure to leave about 2 inches (5 cm) of space around the edges of your diamond painting.

Next, you will need to choose an appropriate adhesive. Some options include craft glue, fabric glue, or glue paste for textiles. You can also use a spray adhesive or a poured glue designed specifically for diamond paintings. Apply the glue to the centre of the backing board and place your diamond painting on top, making sure it is centred and flat.

If using a spray adhesive, let the glue become sticky to the touch before placing the diamond painting on the backing board. Smooth out any wrinkles or bubbles and let it dry for 24 hours.

If using a glue paste, place your diamond painting onto the backing board and apply the glue paste to the edges. Place the artwork under a weight overnight to ensure it dries securely.

Once the glue is dry, your diamond painting will be secured to the backing board and ready for display. You can choose to add a frame around the edges for a more polished look, or simply display the artwork as is.

Stretch the canvas over a wooden frame

Stretcher bars are the wooden frames used by artists to frame canvas art. To stretch a diamond painting over a wooden frame, follow these steps:

Firstly, centre your wooden frame on the canvas. Start with the longest side of the canvas closest to you and fold it in. Insert three staples in the centre of that side of the frame, along the bottom edge of the frame. You want to wrap the canvas all the way around the bar and start fixing it onto the bottom edge of the frame. The canvas around the corners should still be quite loose. You’ll tighten it up later.

Next, rotate the canvas and frame, or move around the table to the opposite side and do the same thing. Pull the canvas tight, fold it over the frame, and insert three more staples into the stretcher bar on the opposite side. You always want to secure the canvas from the middle to the corners. Never start inserting staples close to one of the corners, or the canvas will twist slightly on the frame, making it protrude.

Now, go to one of the unstapled sides and give the canvas a good solid pull, fold it over, and insert two staples, attaching the canvas to the frame. Do the same thing to the other short side.

Go back to the first side you started stretching and work from your centre staples out to each corner. Pull a piece of loose canvas, stretch it down, and insert a staple. Go slowly, stretching a little bit from the opposite side of the bar at a time. Continue pulling and stapling pieces of the canvas moving around the canvas edges in the same order as before. If you want, you can staple near the corners and then place a staple between the centre and the corner instead. Continue until you have about four inches of unstapled space from the corners.

Finally, fold and staple the corners. Tuck one side of the corner under the other, pulling tight, so that one straight edge is just even with the corner. If you want the canvas to be especially tight, you can insert shims into the corner joints to further stretch the canvas.

Seal the diamond painting before framing

Sealing your diamond painting is a crucial step to ensure its longevity and refinement. Diamonds are mischievous objects that can fall from their places, and sealing ensures they stay in place. It also enhances the grip of the canvas, making it easier to mount your masterpiece.

There are different opinions on whether diamond art needs to be sealed before framing. Some sources suggest that if your artwork will be covered by a frame or glass, there is no need to seal it. However, if you are using stretcher bars or loose frames without a covering, sealing is recommended. Sealing your diamond painting can protect it from dust and potential damage, ensuring your hard work remains pristine over time.

If you decide to seal your diamond painting before framing, there are a few steps to follow. First, make sure your diamonds are aligned and secured to the canvas. Then, choose an appropriate sealant that will not dull the shine and sparkle of your diamonds. Some people recommend using a spray-on sealer, while others suggest specific glues like Tombow Aqua glue or Modge Podge Puzzle Glue, which are known to keep the shine and sparkle intact.

Apply the sealant or glue carefully and evenly across the surface of your diamond painting, following the product instructions for proper application. Allow the sealant or glue to dry completely before proceeding to the framing step.

Measure the artwork correctly

Measuring your diamond painting correctly is key to ensuring your artwork fits perfectly in its frame. Here are some tips to help you measure your artwork like a pro:

First, select an appropriate measuring tool. A contractor's measuring tape is ideal, but a regular ruler or yardstick will also work. You can even use a tailor's measuring tape. Just make sure your tool is in good condition and isn't warped or broken in a way that could affect your measurements.

Next, prepare your artwork on a clean, flat surface. If your diamond painting has been rolled or folded, use weights (such as heavy books) to anchor the corners and ensure it lays flat. If your artwork is delicate or valuable, consider wearing protective gloves when handling it.

Now, take your measurements. Line up your measuring tool with the edges of your artwork to find the width (horizontal measurement) and height (vertical measurement). Remember to measure from paper edge to paper edge, and be mindful of any extra space at the beginning of your measuring tool—make sure you start at the zero mark. If you're using centimetres, you'll need to convert your measurements to inches, as most frames are sized in inches.

If your artwork is three-dimensional, don't forget to consider its thickness or depth. Standard picture frames typically accommodate artwork up to 1/4" thick. If your artwork is thicker than that, look for shadow box frames, which can handle pieces up to 1/16" thick.

Finally, decide on the orientation of your artwork. Is it a portrait (vertical) or landscape (horizontal)? The standard format for denoting size is width first, then height (WxH). However, for a landscape orientation, the larger dimension (width) is entered on the left (LxW).

By following these steps, you'll be able to accurately measure your diamond painting and choose or create a frame that fits it perfectly.

Frequently asked questions