Photo frames or frames can be the most expensive and limited part of capturing your favorite photo or picture. Making your own picture frames is a really cool way to give your home décor a distinct character, and to create a tool that's perfectly suited to the photos (pictures) in it. If you want to know how to make your own photo frame, just follow these steps.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Making Photo Frame Bases
Step 1. Measure your base
The base is a blank paper or cardboard border that surrounds the photo in the frame. Using a pedestal will make your photos and frames look more professional and perfect. The pedestal also makes it easier for you to see the photos. Before you start measuring the materials, you'll need to determine how big (wide) the base is.
A good approximation is about to 1/3 the width (shortest dimension) of the photo
Step 2. Measure your photo
After determining the width of the base, measure the photo itself. Double the width of the base you have defined and add it to the width and length of the photo. The resulting size will be the length and width of the outer edge of the base.
The inner edge of the base will be equal to or slightly smaller than the framed image (photo)
Step 3. Cut the outer edge of the base
You need to cut the base after marking the size. Thinner base materials such as paper or cardboard can be cut with a cutter knife or scissors. Thicker materials, such as the thin cardboard that is usually used as the base, can also be cut this way, but it will look more professional if you use a mat cutter.
- Cut off the outer edges. Cut the outer edge of the base according to the measurements you made.
- You should use a ruler to mark the places where you will cut it.
- You should also use a ruler to make sure the angles are even before cutting.
Step 4. Cut the interior of the base
The interior should be the same as or slightly smaller than the photo you are going to hang. On the back of the base, draw the original size of the photo. Reduce the original size slightly if you want the base to be slightly larger than the photo. Cut the material with the right tool.
Step 5. Place the photo on the pedestal
With the back of the base facing down, place the photo face down as well, and position it exactly in the center of the box. Adhere the adhesive tape at the top two corners of the photo to the base vertically. Then stick the horizontal tape on top of the vertical tape, one piece on the base and the other on the photo.
Now your photo will be securely in its base, yet flexible enough so it won't wrinkle or warp
Part 2 of 3: Making Photo Frames
Step 1. Choose the material
You need to choose a material that not only suits your needs, as well as an attractive design, but is also of high quality, and fits the photo you are going to frame. Many types of wood, glue, metal, and nails are available and must be chosen with care to create an outstanding finish. Here is some information about each of these ingredients:
- Wooden shape. The wood you choose will largely depend on your preferences and what frame to use. You can use either molding lumber or plain wood. Molded wood will give a more refined and detailed look, and is perfect for more traditional or large-sized drawings or photos, and for interior design. Plain wood gives a cleaner, simpler feel, and is perfect for smaller or more modern images, as well as perfect for interior design.
- wood type. You also need to determine what type of wood you will use. There are many types of wood that are suitable for this purpose, especially hardwoods, so you will have to choose one, especially according to the look you prefer. It may be easier to use the same type of wood as for other items in the room where the frame will be hung or displayed. This will help the frame look integrated into the room.
- Metal (iron). If you want a photo frame made of metal instead of wood, you'll need to follow the same process, but use a circular saw with a diamond blade to cut through the metal. Just connect the frame with a square iron (L) and suitable screws, using an electric drill to drill the screw holes first.
- Glue. Using wood glue is the most appropriate. Other glues can also be used if wood glue is completely absent. However, it is best to use a glue that is designed for this purpose. Wood glue is inexpensive and is generally available at craft and hardware stores.
- Nail. The nails used in this project depend in part on how big the photo frame will be. Thicker, tougher nails will be needed for large, bulky frames. Shorter, thinner nails will be needed for the smaller frame. Use the right nails to ensure that the wood is firmly in place and won't come loose.
Step 2. Measure the dimensions of the photo frame
Measure the length and width of the outer edge of the base. This will be the required dimensions for the inside edge of the frame. To find the length and width of the outer edge, you will need to use this formula: L = E + (2 x C) + (2 x W).
L represents the length or width you will use to cut the wood. E represents the length or width of the base. C represents the distance or space around the base (it may be very small, say 0.1 cm). W is the width of the frame material itself
Step 3. Cut the logs (the metal)
Cut the stems according to the size generated by the above formula. You will need two rods cut to length and two more rods cut to width. You have to remember the old saying: measure twice, and cut once. Measuring accurately is very important, because pieces of wood of different sizes will cause the truss to be installed incorrectly or not at all.
- After the initial cut, you will need to cut the ends at an angle so that all the pieces fit together. Cut the corners so they meet each other, leaving one end shorter than the other.
- You can use a miter saw with a 45 degree angle or you can mark the angle by hand and cut with a hand saw. This second method is not accurate and is not recommended.
Step 4. Cut the cut (rebate) of the frame
Rebates are longitudinal grooves in a photo frame. The rebate is the rim on the inside of the frame that will ensure the glass won't fall through the rim gap. You can do this either by using a straight drill bit to indent the rim on the back, inside the edge of the frame, or by creating a thinner frame, and attaching it to the back of the first frame.
- This second frame had to be larger in both width and size, in order to accommodate a sheet of glass that would be too large to fall through the slit of the frame.
- Make sure the rebate is deep enough to put the glass, base, and nails that will be used to hold the picture or photo in the frame.
Step 5. Color your photo frame (optional)
You may want to adjust your photo frame to better fit the room where it will be installed. Or maybe you want to highlight an aspect in an image or photo that you will place in the frame. Before inserting the glass, pictures (photos), and the base, you can paint or color the wood. The color all depends on you. Here's how you can paint or color a frame to add flavor:
- Paint. If you decide to paint the picture frame, make sure you use a paint type that is suitable for the wood. Latex paint will give a smoother and glossy appearance. You can paint the frame one color or you can paint it. Use long strokes and multiple coats of paint for an even look.
- Wood stain (stain). There are various color variations. Try to choose a color that works best with the wood coloring of other objects in the room where the frame will be installed. You may want to test the dye on wood chips first to see how many coats of dye you will need, and how the stain will work on the wood grain. It is best to add dye before assembling the pieces of wood into the frame. This will result in a more even coloring appearance. Use a brush to ensure a professional finish. When the dye has dried, you can finish by coating the frame with polish to make it glossy.
Step 6. Assemble all the pieces of wood
Match all the pieces together like a puzzle to form a square or square appearance. Make the necessary adjustments, but keep in mind that changing the angles too much will result in the frame being misaligned (uneven). Here's how to do it:
- First, glue the frames together, using clamps and elbows to keep the wood frame firmly in place. You have to make sure that the glued elbows dry properly.
- When the glue has dried, gently hammer a nail into each of the four corners to connect each piece of wood. The nail should go into one side of the frame, pass from one piece of wood to another, through the center of the wood as far as possible. The nail must also be driven perpendicular to the connection line (the joint).
- Use wood putty to cover any gaps.
Step 7. Slide the glass
The glass needs to be cut to fit the size of the rebate. You can do this yourself, but it's easier and cheaper to go to a glass or hardware store to have it cut professionally, as special tools and skills are required to cut glass safely.
You don't need to use real glass. Plexiglas or other clear plastic materials will also work well. These materials may not look beautiful, but they are less prone to breaking or falling apart when the photo frame falls
Step 8. Insert the photo
With the frame facing down, place the picture and the base into the frame. Once the image is centered, use either nails or staples aligned parallel to the base to keep the photo, base, and glass in the frame. This is the final step for creating the photo frame. Now, you can think of a way to decorate the photo frame and the perfect place to hang it.
Part 3 of 3: The Final Touch
Step 1. Decorate your photo frame
You can embellish your photo frame with decorations. You can choose to add gold paint for a more traditional look. Another option might be to add small objects; for example shells or buttons by gluing them to the frame. This is a great way to make the frame match the theme of the photo or image in it. Here are some ways to decorate your picture frames:
- Take some pieces of jewelry that have been damaged and glue them to the frame with special craft glue. For example, if you have a pretty flower decoration from a broken ring, a pendant from a broken necklace, or a cute earring with an interesting design, you can glue them to different parts of the frame, or combine them to produce an intricate design..
- Frame the photo on a page from a book or newspaper article. To do this, round the base on the back of the page and cut it. After that, also do the photo blazing in the center, and cut about (0.3 cm) from the photo's border so that the edges are visible. Then turn the page. Place the photo under the base and clamp (hold) the frame in place. To make it more durable, you can laminate the article frame first.
- Decorate the photo frame with a sticker (stamp). Find a cute frame that represents the person in the photo-for example, if the photo is a photo of your little girl, and the stars are her new obsession, then opt for a star stamp. This stamp will look perfect if you paint the frame with white, or a lighter color, so that the stamp is clearly visible and contrasts with the color of the frame.
Step 2. Hang the photo frame
There are two easy ways to hang the frame as soon as you finish decorating it. Just make sure that the photo frame is completely dry if you glued anything on it before you move on. Make sure that, no matter how you hang it, the attachment should be checked, measured carefully, and in the center position. This is to ensure that the frame is installed evenly (balanced). Here are some options for hanging the photo frame:
- You can place the strap, which is made of either metal, or some other strong material, across the back. This rope can be attached by adding nails or hangers behind the photo frame, on each side, and attaching the rope to each end.
- Another option for hanging the picture frame is to add hooks, which can be placed on nails driven into the wall.
