Framing Art: Cardboard Diy Home Project

Custom framing can be expensive, so here's a guide on how to frame a painting at home with cardboard. First, find a frame that fits your art. Next, you'll need to carefully remove the existing layers from the frame. After cleaning the glass, you can paint or decorate the frame as you like. You can then mat your art by laying it on top of the mat or cutting a hole in the mat and placing the art behind it. Finally, let the glass dry thoroughly before assembling your framed art.

How to frame a painting at home with cardboard:

Measure and cut the cardboard

To measure and cut the cardboard, start by using a ruler and a marker to mark a smaller inner square on one of the pieces of cardboard. This piece will be the front of the frame that will surround your painting. Decide how thick you want the edges of your frame to be—for example, 1.5 inches on each side.

To ensure that your inner square is in the centre of the larger outer square, measure the width of the frame from each corner. For instance, measure 1.5 inches up (or down) and over from each corner of the outer square, and then connect these marks to form the inner square. Carefully cut out this inner square using a cutting board and an X-ACTO knife. This will create the front of your frame.

You can decorate your frame at this stage, or leave it plain. Some options for decoration include covering it with duct tape, paint, or magazine clippings.

If you're planning to include glass in your frame, be aware that cardboard tends to trap moisture, so it may bow out over time. To prevent this, you can use a shadowbox frame to keep the cardboard away from the glass, or mount the cardboard onto mat board to create a background colour. Just keep in mind that this may require a deeper frame to accommodate the extra space needed between the mat board, cardboard, and glass.

Paint or decorate the frame

Now that your frame is ready, you can paint or decorate it. You can paint the frame with a colour that complements the painting. For instance, you can prime and paint the frame a mellow, ashy grey to complement the colours in the painting.

You can also decorate the frame with black duct tape, especially if you want it to match the art going inside the frame. Alternatively, you can decorate the frame with newspaper or magazine clippings.

If you want to add a background colour to your painting, you can mount it onto a mat board. However, this might require a deeper frame to create space between the cardboard and the glass.

If you want to avoid the hassle of finding a deeper frame, you can frame your painting without glass. However, cardboard tends to trap moisture, so it will be exposed to the elements and will be more likely to bow out without glass.

Prepare the glass

Preparing the glass for your DIY picture frame is a straightforward process, but it requires careful execution. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you prepare the glass:

Selecting the Right Glass

Almost any glass will do the job of protecting your artwork from dust and unwanted touch. However, it is recommended to use glass specifically made for framing. This type of glass is perfectly clear, free of distortions, and can even prevent fading caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays. Anti-reflective (AR) glass is also an option, as it reduces reflectivity with an optical coating.

Measuring and Cutting the Glass

Measure the size of the rebate (the area where the glass will sit) in your picture frame. Deduct 3-4mm from the length and width measurements to ensure the glass fits snugly. Use a ruler or straight edge to mark these dimensions on your sheet of glass.

You can cut the glass yourself with a good quality glass cutter. Make a single pass with the cutter, then break the glass along the cut. You can do this by placing the glass over the edge of a bench or putting a matchstick under both ends of the cut line and pressing down. Alternatively, you can carefully tap the marked line with a hammer to chip away the glass until it reaches the desired size.

Cleaning the Glass

Before assembling your frame, it is crucial to clean the glass meticulously. Use your preferred cleaning method to ensure the glass is spotless. Allow the glass to dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step.

Securing the Glass

Most picture frames have a mechanism to secure the glass, such as push pin glazier points or picture turn buttons. If your frame lacks this feature, you can use double-sided tape to position your artwork in the centre of the glass.

With these steps, you can effectively prepare the glass for your DIY picture frame, ensuring your artwork is displayed and protected.

Mat the art

To mat your art, you will need a large piece of mat board, a mat cutter, a ruler, and a self-healing cutting mat. You can buy a mat board from a craft store, such as Hobby Lobby, or online. You can also cut the mat yourself with a metal straight edge and a utility knife.

Before you begin, ensure that your workspace is clean. Wipe the space down with a damp cloth and then dry it thoroughly. You don't want your artwork to get dirty!

Next, measure your artwork and decide how wide you want the mat border to be. Remove your artwork from the backing and mat boards and use a ruler and pencil to trace your measurements. You should have two rectangles or squares on your mat board and one on your backing.

Now, you can start cutting! Grab your ruler and mat cutter. Carefully read the instructions included with your mat cutter, as they may differ from these general instructions. Line up the ruler along the outer edge of your line marking the opening. Then, with firm pressure, hold your ruler down, place your mat cutter along the edge of the ruler, and push the blade into the mat. Push the mat cutter up the edge of the ruler, stopping when you reach the top line of your opening.

Finally, it's time to attach your artwork to the mat. There are two ways to do this: you can lay the art on top of the mat or cut a hole in the mat and place the art behind it. Centering the image horizontally but leaving more room at the bottom of the art than at the top is a good rule of thumb.

Assemble the frame

To assemble your cardboard frame, you will need to cut out a square or rectangle from the centre of one of the cardboard pieces. This will be the front of the frame and will surround your art. Use a ruler and marker to mark out the shape, ensuring that the inner square or rectangle is centred. Carefully cut out the shape with a craft knife.

The size of the border is up to you, but a standard size is 1.5 inches on each side. To ensure your inner square is in the centre, measure the width of the frame from each corner. For example, if you want a 1.5-inch border, measure 1.5 inches from each corner and connect those dots to make the inner square.

Decorate your frame to your liking. You could paint it, or cover it with duct tape, newspaper or magazine clippings. Leave the frame to dry thoroughly before proceeding.

If you are framing a piece of cardboard art, you can choose to frame it without glass. However, be aware that cardboard tends to trap moisture, so it may bow out over time. Alternatively, you can use a shadowbox frame to keep the cardboard away from the glass, or mount it onto mat board if you want a background colour. This may require a deeper frame to create space between the mat board, cardboard, and glass.

Once your frame is dry, you can assemble your art. Wash and dry your hands, and ensure the glass is very clean. There are two ways to mat your art: lay the art on top of the mat, or cut a hole in the mat and place the art behind it. Centre your art horizontally, leaving more room at the bottom than at the top.

Frequently asked questions