Can you frame a canvas board painting at home? Yes, absolutely! Framing a canvas board painting yourself is a rewarding and cost-effective way to elevate your artwork. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various framing techniques for paintings, from simple to more elaborate styles, making your DIY canvas frame project a success. We’ll cover everything from canvas panel framing to creating a stunning floating frame for canvas and discuss the best methods for framing unframed canvas artwork.
Why Frame Your Canvas Board Painting?
Framing isn’t just about aesthetics; it serves crucial protective functions as well. A well-chosen frame shields your painting from dust, moisture, and accidental damage, preserving its beauty for years to come. It also adds a professional touch, making your artwork ready for display in galleries, at art fairs, or simply in your home. Whether you’re framing a stretched canvas or a rigid canvas board painting, the right frame can transform its entire presentation.
Essential Framing Supplies
Before you begin, gather these supplies:
- Your Canvas Board Painting: The star of the show!
- Picture Frame: Choose a frame that complements your artwork. You can find pre-made frames at craft stores or online.
- Mounting Hardware: This typically includes screws, brackets, or frame points, depending on your chosen framing method.
- Measuring Tape: For accurate measurements.
- Pencil: For marking.
- Screwdriver: Manual or electric.
- Craft Knife or Utility Knife: For cutting mat board or backing materials.
- Metal Ruler: For straight cuts.
- Glass or Acrylic Sheet (Optional): For added protection, especially if using a shadow box or if the painting is delicate.
- Mat Board (Optional): Adds depth and visual separation between the artwork and the frame.
- Backing Board (Canvas Backing Board): Provides rigid support behind your canvas. Acid-free is best for preservation.
- Frame Wire or Hanging Hardware: To securely hang your framed piece.
- Gloves: To keep the painting and frame clean.
- Dust Cover (Kraft Paper or similar): To seal the back of the frame.
Method 1: The Simple Clip Frame or “Poster Frame” Approach
This is the quickest and most budget-friendly way to frame a canvas board. These frames often come with built-in clips that hold the artwork in place.
Steps for Clip Framing:
- Measure Your Canvas Board: Carefully measure the width and height of your canvas board.
- Select Your Frame: Choose a clip frame that matches these dimensions precisely. Many clip frames are designed to hold standard canvas board sizes (e.g., 8×10, 11×14).
- Prepare the Frame: Open the clip frame by lifting the small metal clips that secure the backing.
- Position the Canvas Board: Place your canvas board painting onto the front glass or acrylic of the frame. Ensure it’s centered.
- Add the Backing Board (Optional but Recommended): If your clip frame doesn’t come with a rigid backing, cut a piece of canvas backing board (or sturdy cardboard) to the same size as your canvas board. Place this behind your painting. This adds support and prevents the canvas from flexing.
- Close the Frame: Carefully fold the metal clips back down to hold the sandwich (glass, painting, backing) securely in place.
- Attach Hanging Hardware: Most clip frames have a small hook or hole for hanging. If not, you might need to add a small sawtooth hanger to the backing board or frame.
Method 2: Using a Pre-Made Frame with a Mat
This method offers a more polished look, creating a visual border around your artwork. This is a popular choice for custom canvas framing when you don’t want to create the entire frame from scratch.
Steps for Framing with a Mat:
- Measure Your Canvas Board: Get exact width and height measurements.
- Choose Your Frame and Mat:
- Frame: Select a frame that is larger than your canvas board by the combined width of your desired mat border and the frame’s rabbet (the inner lip that holds the artwork). The frame’s opening size should be smaller than your canvas board by about 1/4 inch on all sides to hold it securely.
- Mat Board: Decide on the width of your mat border. A common rule of thumb is to make the top and sides of the mat slightly narrower than the bottom mat to create a balanced look. For example, if your canvas is 8×10 and your frame opening is 11×14, you could aim for a 2-inch top/side mat and a 3-inch bottom mat.
- Cut the Mat Opening:
- Lay your mat board flat.
- Measure and mark the inner opening for your canvas. This opening should be slightly smaller than your canvas board (e.g., 1/8 inch less on each side) so the canvas doesn’t fall through.
- Using a craft knife and metal ruler on a cutting mat, carefully cut along your marked lines. Aim for clean, straight cuts. This is a crucial step for a professional finish.
- Prepare the Canvas Board:
- Ensure your canvas board is clean.
- If you are using a canvas wrap framing style where the sides of the canvas are intended to be seen, you might not need a mat. However, for a traditional look or to protect the edges, a mat is excellent.
- Assemble the Artwork:
- Place the glass or acrylic sheet into the frame’s rabbet first.
- Lay the cut mat board on top of the glass.
- Carefully place your canvas board painting onto the mat, aligning it with the opening.
- Secure the canvas to the mat using archival tape or frame points. Apply the tape to the back of the canvas board and onto the mat board, ensuring it doesn’t show from the front.
- Add your canvas backing board (acid-free is best) on top of the secured artwork.
- Close the Frame: Place the backing board into the frame, ensuring it fits snugly. Secure the backing using the frame’s existing clips, points, or by adding new ones.
- Add Hanging Hardware: Install your chosen hanging hardware (wire, D-rings, etc.) on the back of the frame.
Method 3: The Floating Frame for Canvas Board
A floating frame for canvas creates a striking “floating” effect, where the artwork appears to be suspended within the frame, with a small gap visible around all sides. This is particularly effective for modern art and canvas wrap framing.
Steps for Creating a Floating Frame:
- Measure Your Canvas Board: Get precise width, height, and depth measurements.
- Choose Your Floating Frame Components:
- Outer Frame: This will be a standard frame, slightly larger than your canvas board. The inside opening of the outer frame should be larger than your canvas board by the desired gap size on all sides. For example, if your canvas is 8×10 and you want a 1/2 inch float on all sides, your outer frame’s inner opening would be 9×11.
- Internal Support (Stretcher Bars or Wood Strips): These will be attached to the back of your canvas board and then screwed into the outer frame to hold the canvas in place. You’ll need four pieces, cut to the dimensions of your canvas board. The depth of these supports should match or be slightly less than the depth of your canvas board.
- Prepare the Canvas Board:
- Ensure the sides and back of your canvas board are clean.
- Assemble the Internal Support:
- Lay your canvas board painting face down on a clean surface.
- Attach the four cut wood strips to the back of your canvas board, forming a rectangle that mirrors the canvas board’s dimensions. The strips should be flush with the edges of the canvas board. Use screws or strong adhesive to secure them to the canvas board itself. Be careful not to pierce through the front of the painting.
- Prepare the Outer Frame:
- Measure the inside dimensions of your outer frame.
- Mark the positions for attaching the internal support (the wood strips attached to your canvas). These marks should be centered within the frame’s opening, creating your desired float gap.
- Attach the Canvas to the Outer Frame:
- Place your outer frame face down.
- Position the canvas board (with its attached wood strips) onto the outer frame, aligning the wood strips with your marks.
- Pre-drill small pilot holes through the wood strips and into the outer frame.
- Secure the canvas assembly to the outer frame using screws. Ensure the screws are the correct length so they don’t poke through the front of the frame.
- Add Hanging Hardware: Attach appropriate hanging hardware to the back of the outer frame.
This method is excellent for achieving custom canvas framing with a modern aesthetic.
Method 4: Building Your Own DIY Canvas Frame
For the truly hands-on artist, building a DIY canvas frame from scratch offers complete creative control. This is a great option for framing unframed canvas or creating unique sizes.
Steps for Building a Basic DIY Frame:
- Design Your Frame: Decide on the style (e.g., simple L-shaped moulding, shadow box) and the dimensions.
- Gather Materials:
- Wood Moulding: Choose a style and width that suits your artwork. You can buy this at lumber yards or craft stores.
- Wood Glue: For strong joints.
- Brad Nails or Screws: To reinforce joints.
- Chop Saw or Miter Box and Saw: For accurate 45-degree angle cuts.
- Measuring Tape and Pencil.
- Clamps: To hold pieces while gluing and nailing.
- Sandpaper: For smoothing edges.
- Paint or Stain (Optional): To finish the frame.
- Mounting Hardware: As described in Method 2.
- Measure and Cut:
- Measure your canvas board.
- For a simple L-shaped frame, the inner edge of the moulding needs to be the exact size of your canvas board.
- Using a miter box or chop saw, cut four pieces of moulding at 45-degree angles. Ensure the inner edges of your cuts create a rectangle that perfectly fits your canvas board. Double-check measurements carefully.
- Assemble the Frame:
- Apply wood glue to the mitered edges of your frame pieces.
- Join the corners, ensuring they are flush and form a perfect rectangle.
- Use clamps to hold the corners tightly.
- Reinforce the joints with brad nails or small screws. Drive them carefully from the outside into the adjoining piece.
- Wipe away any excess glue immediately with a damp cloth.
- Finish the Frame:
- Once the glue is dry, sand the frame smooth.
- Paint or stain the frame if desired, allowing it to dry completely.
- Mount Your Canvas:
- Place your canvas board into the frame. The inner edge of the frame should hold it snugly.
- Use frame points or small brads inserted from the back of the frame into the edge of the canvas board to secure it. Alternatively, you can use a canvas backing board and screw through that into the frame, with the canvas sandwiched between the backing and the frame.
- Add Hanging Hardware: Attach your chosen hanging system.
This method allows for truly custom canvas framing and gives you the satisfaction of creating something unique.
Considerations for Framing Different Canvas Types
While this guide focuses on canvas boards, it’s worth noting how these framing techniques for paintings apply to other formats:
Framing a Stretched Canvas
When framing a stretched canvas, you typically don’t need glass or a backing board unless it’s a very delicate painting or you’re creating a deep shadow box. Floating frames are extremely popular for stretched canvases. The internal support system is attached to the stretcher bars of the canvas, not the canvas itself. This is key to preserving the canvas’s integrity.
Canvas Wrap Framing
Canvas wrap framing refers to how the canvas is stretched around the frame. If the image wraps around the sides, a floating frame is often the best choice to showcase the full artwork without covering the edges. Traditional frames can also be used, but care must be taken not to obscure the wrapped edges.
Canvas Backing Board
Using a canvas backing board is always a good idea, even for canvas boards. It adds rigidity, protects the back of the artwork from dust and pests, and provides a stable surface for attaching hanging hardware. For valuable or archival pieces, ensure the backing board is acid-free.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Do I need glass for framing a canvas board?
A1: For most canvas board paintings, glass is not strictly necessary unless the paint is extremely textured, fragile, or if you want an extra layer of protection against dust and moisture. If the paint is dry and well-varnished, you can often frame it without glass.
Q2: How do I choose the right size frame for my canvas board?
A2: For clip frames, match the frame size to your canvas board size exactly. For traditional frames with mats, the frame opening should be slightly smaller than your canvas board (about 1/8 inch less on each side) to hold it securely. The mat board’s opening will be even smaller than the canvas, and the frame itself will be larger than the mat.
Q3: Can I reuse an old frame?
A3: Yes, absolutely! Repurposing old frames is a great way to save money and achieve a unique look. You may need to clean the frame, add new backing, or trim the mat to fit your canvas board.
Q4: What’s the difference between a canvas board and a stretched canvas?
A4: A canvas board is a piece of canvas glued to a rigid backing board, typically cardboard or masonite. A stretched canvas is fabric stretched taut over a wooden stretcher bar frame. Canvas boards are less expensive and don’t require stretching equipment, making them ideal for practice and smaller works.
Q5: How do I ensure my framing is archival for long-term preservation?
A5: Use acid-free materials whenever possible, including mat board, backing board, and any adhesives or tapes that come into contact with the artwork. Avoid direct contact between the canvas and glass using a mat or spacers.
Conclusion
Framing your canvas board paintings is a fundamental step in presenting your art professionally and protecting it for the future. Whether you opt for the simplicity of clip frames, the elegance of matted frames, the modern appeal of floating frames, or the satisfaction of building your own DIY canvas frame, these framing techniques for paintings will help you achieve beautiful results. By carefully measuring, choosing appropriate materials, and employing these framing techniques, you can transform your canvas panel framing projects into gallery-worthy displays, confidently knowing how to hang a canvas board with a professional finish. Happy framing!