Adding a frame to a canvas is the perfect way to make a piece of art feel finished. Custom framing can get pretty pricey, so I wanted to share a super easy and inexpensive way to make one yourself.
THE SUPPLIES
- 1×2 boards (I am using select pine boards)
- Scrap plywood
MAKING YOUR CUTS
I’m building this particular canvas frame with 1×2 select pine boards. You can customize it to meet your needs. If you want a thinner frame, it’s the same process, just use a thinner craft board.
The first step is to determine the overall size of your frame based on the size of your canvas. My particular canvas is 48”x48” and I would like to have a 1/8” gap between my canvas and the frame. The measurement for the outside of my frame will be 48” + 1/8” gap + 1/8” gap + 3/4” board + 3/4” board = 49 ¾” total outside frame measurement.
Now that the math is done, it’s time to cut each board to length at a 45-degree angle. I did a dry-fit after I made my cuts to be sure everything fit correctly.
THE CORNER BRACES
The corner braces serve two purposes:
1. They add extra support for your frame to help keep it stable
2. They provide a surface to attach your frame to the canvas
My canvas is the exact same thickness or depth as the 1×2 boards I used for the frame, so I will be placing my corner braces on the backside of the frame. If your canvas is thinner than your frame, you can inset the corner braces (inside your frame instead of on the backside) to prop it up so the face of your canvas and the face of your frame are flush.
I am just using some scrap plywood for my corner braces. The pieces are cut at 45-degree angles, almost creating a triangle in each of the corners.
ASSEMBLING THE FRAME
To assemble the frame I am just using wood glue and my finish nailer. A corner clamp would come in very handy for this part, but any sort of carpenter square and clamps will help keep the frame steady and square as you nail it together. You can simply attach the corner braces right to the back of your frame.
THE FINISHING WORK
It’s finally time to decide how to finish your canvas frame. I’ve decided to paint mine black, but you could stain it or leave the frame in a raw wood finish as well. I applied a primer and then used a matte black spray paint.
Once the paint is dry and your frame is ready to go you can attach it to your canvas artwork. I placed my artwork face-side down on the floor and then set the frame on top. Using some short wood screws, I attached the frame to my canvas through the corner braces. Ta-da! Time to display your beautiful work on the wall and enjoy it.
SOURCES
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3 Responses
Great work! I very much like this idea!
Thank you!