How-to for Everyone

How to Build Your Own Artwork Frames

Making custom picture frames lets you tailor your design to perfectly fit your art, décor, or budget. Whether you’re using hardwood, softwood, or reclaimed wood, building frames is straightforward with the right tools and preparation. Below is a complete guide covering everything you need to know—from materials to tools, and the step-by-step process.

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MATERIALS & TOOLS

Materials:

• Wood molding or frame stock (choose a profile you like)

• Glass or acrylic sheet (for glazing)

• Mat board (optional, for decorative border around the picture)

• Foam core or cardboard backing

• Wood glue

• Finishing materials: wood stain, paint, varnish (optional)

• Hanging hardware: D-rings, wire, sawtooth hangers

• Flexipoints or turn buttons

• Tape (acid-free for mounting artwork)

Tools:

• Miter saw or miter box #ad

• Clamps (especially corner clamps) #ad

• Measuring tape, ruler and square #ad

• Sander or sanding block #ad

• Nail gun or hammer and small nails/brads #ad

• Router (to cut rabbets if not pre-milled) #ad

• Glass cutter (if cutting your own glazing) #ad

• Drill (for hardware) #ad

• Utility knife (for matting or backing) #ad

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

1. Measure Your Artwork

• Measure height and width of the artwork.

• Add 1/8" to both dimensions for proper fit.

• Decide if you’ll include a mat and calculate the mat opening accordingly.

2. Choose & Cut Frame Molding

• Select your molding (style, width, wood type).

• Cut four pieces with 45° angles using a miter saw.

• Two long sides = artwork width + 1/8",

  two short sides = artwork height + 1/8".

3. Assemble the Frame

• Apply wood glue to the miter joints.

• Use clamps or a corner band clamp to hold square.

• Reinforce with V-nails, brads, corner splines, or staples (optional).

• Let dry overnight.

4. Add Rabbet (if needed)

• A rabbet is the ledge on the inside of the frame where the glass and backing rest.

• If your wood doesn’t have one, route a ¼" x ¼" rabbet along the back inner edge.

5. Finish the Frame

• Sand smooth and clean off dust.

• Stain, paint, or clear coat as desired.

• Let dry completely before handling.

6. Insert Glass, Mat, Art & Backing

• Clean the glass or acrylic.

• Layer in order: glass → mat → artwork → backing.

• Use flexipoints or turn buttons to secure everything in place.

7. Install Hanging Hardware

• For smaller frames, use sawtooth hangers.

• For larger/heavier frames, attach D-rings and picture wire.

PRO TIPS

• Always make a test miter before cutting final pieces.

• Use painter’s tape to pre-align corners before gluing.

• For large frames, use corner braces for added strength.

• Store glass vertically before assembly to avoid breakage.

• Buy extra glass or acrylic—breakage is common during learning.

• For archival framing, use acid-free mats and backing.

How to Stretch Canvas Over a Frame

Here's everything you need to know about stretching canvas over a frame, whether you're preparing for painting or framing finished artwork. This step-by-step guide covers materials, tools, techniques, and common troubleshooting tips.

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MATERIALS & TOOLS

Materials:

• Canvas (cotton or linen, pre-primed or raw)

• Stretcher bars (or a pre-assembled stretcher frame)

• Staples or tacks

• Gesso (if you're priming raw canvas)

• Sandpaper (optional)

• Wood glue (optional, for securing stretcher joints)

Tools:

• Staple gun (manual, electric, or pneumatic)

• Canvas pliers (for pulling canvas tight)

• Hammer or mallet (if assembling bars)

• Scissors or utility knife

• Measuring tape or ruler

• Paintbrush or roller (for applying gesso)

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

1. Build or Prep the Stretcher Frame

• Choose stretcher bars to match the size of your artwork.

• Assemble the bars by sliding them together; most have tongue-and-groove corners.

• Check for squareness by measuring diagonals; adjust if needed.

• Glue the corners and clamp for added strength (optional).

• Sand any rough edges that might contact the canvas.

2. Prepare the Canvas

• Lay the canvas face-down on a clean, flat surface.

• Place the frame centered on top, with 2–3 inches of canvas margin on all sides.

• Cut the canvas, leaving enough excess to wrap around the frame and staple to the back.

3. Stretching & Stapling

Use this standard cross-pattern technique to get even tension:

• Start on one side: Pull canvas tight with canvas pliers and place the first staple in the center.

• Move to the opposite side: Pull tightly and place a staple in the center.

• Repeat the same process on the third and fourth sides.

• Work outwards from the center, alternating sides (like a compass: N, S, E, W), adding staples every 1–2 inches.

  Keep pulling tightly with pliers, especially on larger canvases.

4. Corners

• Fold corners neatly by tucking one side under the other.

• Make sure there’s no bulky overlap.

• Staple securely.

5. Priming the Canvas (if needed)

• Sand smooth and clean off dust.

• Stain, paint, or clear coat as desired.

• Let dry completely before handling.

6. Insert Glass, Mat, Art & Backing

• Clean the glass or acrylic.

• Layer in order: glass → mat → artwork → backing.

• Use flexipoints or turn buttons to secure everything in place.

7. Install Hanging Hardware

• For smaller frames, use sawtooth hangers.

• For larger/heavier frames, attach D-rings and picture wire.

PRO TIPS

• Always make a test miter before cutting final pieces.

• Use painter’s tape to pre-align corners before gluing.

• For large frames, use corner braces for added strength.

• Store glass vertically before assembly to avoid breakage.

• Buy extra glass or acrylic—breakage is common during learning.

• For archival framing, use acid-free mats and backing.