How can I use an odd sized poster that I don't want to frame?

Tiz Smith
by Tiz Smith

I was thinking modge podge onto a piece of wood, but not crazy about modge podge finish. I live near Lake Michigan and it is a poster showing the shipwrecks. I have rustic/beachy/nautical decore throughout the house. need some ideas.


  8 answers
  • You can frame the picture using branches cut to size and joined together like a frame using sisal rope. To get the nautical theme, you can paint the wood using chalk paint.

  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Jan 11, 2020
    Modge podge comes in different finishes, satin, gloss and Matt. Maybe you didn't know that, I just found out that myself. You can always use Modge podge and finish off with the Matt finish for chalk paint made by Rustoleum. It works great.

  • Cindy Cindy on Jan 12, 2020

    Hi Tiz. When I need frames I go to Good Will and a thrift store named New Uses. There is a lot of art work available there. If it doesn't quite fit right, I use a mat to make up the difference.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Jan 12, 2020


    Hello I understand the problem of very costly frames and frames for unusual sized projects.


    Most times I will buy a discounted frame from a consignment shop or thrift store and design art to go in that frame. Very often for a few dollars you get a frame glass mat for a ridiculously low price. Secondhand frames can also be spray-painted. I have sucessfully changed a gold frame to a burnished antique Pewter.


    Also-In the past if I’ve had a large odd sized art piece that I wanted to frame —I get a colored mat board and I will mount the art piece on top of the mat board and then purchase a standard size frame adjusting the mat board size to fit the standard frame. Sometimes with craft store coupons you can pay a discount price that’s easier on the budget.


    Alternatively these links below may have a DYI that may suit your framing need— if one can meet your decor aesthetic.


    Frame wood slat at top and bottom.

    DIY Scroll Style Frame For Any Sized Print | Hometalk

    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/decorate/walls/scroll-style-frame-for-any-size-print-28128431?expand_all_questions=1


    Custom frame diy

    https://www.frugalfamilytimes.com/2013/03/diy-make-huge-frame-for-way-less-money.html


    I agree with your desire to avoid modge podge— it tends to make a cloudy almost milky finish with some depth or distortion of fine art.

    Hope this helps!

    • See 1 previous
    • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Jan 13, 2020

      Hello!

      I would not personally consider a wet mount for adhesion. I would be hesitant that something could happen to the paper

      ( bubbling rippling or staining) with moisture introduced.

      Many of my projects involve vintage materials.


      I chose to use archival adhesive mounts .....

      or they also make an acid free adhesive double sided tape.


      I use a frame with glass.

      I Purchased 99.9% of my frames at the thrift store. I especially like the nonglare glass option if it’s available.


      I did these projects years ago —early 2000s—-prior to this explosion in scrapbooking —there might even be better acid free adhesive supplies available for heavier types of paper now.


      Here are 3 examples of using a mat board and mounting something on TOP of it for display. Again -It is framed under glass. Generally I’m using vintage prints and inexpensive thrift store frames and forcing them to fit the frame- using the mat board as the background.


      Done in the almost 20 years ago and nothing has dislodged or has the adhesive soiled the vintage paper product. 1-These are vintage cigar bands of bodybuilders. 2-A vintage St George engraving.3- A smaller import print of Poseidon. I have done many larger projects —-even poster size but since downsizing I no longer have those framed items available to show you now.


      Please feel free to ask any questions you might have.

      I hope this helps. Kindest regards Karen

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Jan 12, 2020

    Visit your local flea markets and see what they have, usually lots and lots of old pictures where the frame is the only redeeming part. They usually have the glass in the deal, if not a piece of plexi-glass may do the trick. Take your needed frame size and shop around, they are usually willing to bargain, so glad to get rid of that item.

  • Emily Emily on Jan 12, 2020

    this is a $1 museum poster but I had the frame. We are fortunate where we live as our town has a "swap shop" and there are always frames there. For your project I would use a light weight piece of plywood, use Elmers to glue the poster on (spreading the glue from the center out and using a roller so it all is covered) have the board be a dite larger than the poster and wrap rope around the edges to further the water theme. The paper probably has a finish so I would not think of doing another one. You could also use some rough boards and make the "frame" larger than the print and just paint a border on the boards. Or you could glue seashells around the frame edge. We live near the ocean so I understand the "water" theme And we have lots of half hull models and sea paintings in our house.

  • Tiz Smith Tiz Smith on Feb 11, 2020

    Thanks for the idea. I love it. I did get a framed picture at a restore shop, $7, but now I like the picture that's in it! I did see another idea using a window that would not "ruin" the poster as my husband seems to think. this way I can display it, and put stuff around it on the outside glass. This may solve my quandry.