How To Easily Frame A Large Print For Cheap!

Bryan's Workshop
by Bryan's Workshop
7 Materials
$14
1 Hour
Easy

Frames are expensive! Am I right or am I super right?

I got a large print of my favorite piece of Japanese artwork and was shocked when the frame shop told me it would be about 9 million dollars to frame.


This is how I framed it for cheap. icon

This is what I spent:


4mm plywood- $7

1mm sheet of plastic- $5

2 pieces of flat trim - $2


Grand total (opens calculator app)- $14


I priced glass first, but plastic was cheaper. It's easy to cut this thickness of plastic with a box cutter and ruler if you need to cut it down.


The size of the 4mm plywood was 1820X910. I cut it into 4 pieces about 880X450, so I could build more frames of equal size in the future.

Cut the trim at 45 degree angles.


It's better to check the size using the plywood after each cut.

The frame is finished! Lay it down on the plywood and trace it to make reference lines for your print.


I intended on making the print sit perfectly in the middle of the plywood, but I made a mistake on my first plywood cut...drats!


To do this, just measure the thickness of your trim, double it and add it to the height and width of your print.

The reference lines!

Use thin 'heavy-duty' double sided tape to attach the print.


Be careful rolling the print over the tape, because you might not be able to pull it off without ruining the print.

Staining the trim!

I used Liberon wax polish. This stuff is great and smells awesome.

OK, this part is tricky! You'll be screwing the plywood into the back of the frame.


1.Lay the frame 'wax polished side down' first.

2.Put the plastic over the frame.

3.Put the plywood with taped-on print over the plastic.


Drill pilot holes into the back of the plywood. Don't worry, the plastic won't crack.

Constantly check to make sure the frame and plastic are lined up with the plywood while you drill holes.

I cut these little pieces of wood at 45 degree angles to add to the look of my frame.

Gasp!! What in the world is that Bryan!?? Gasp!!


It's Japanese art folks!


This is "Takiyasha the Witch and the Skeleton Spectre" by: Utagawa Kuniyoshi.


I live in Japan and this is my favorite piece of Japanese art. I'll be hanging it in my workshop.

Finished!

Thanks for reading!


Check out Bryan's Workshop on Facebook and Instagram.

Resources for this project:
See all materials
Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Hometalk may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page.More info
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
  1 question
  • Shuganne Shuganne on Aug 10, 2018

    Well, now I've been introduced to Japanese art. I know my fourth grade students (10-11 year olds) would think it is just perfect.


    You did a wonderfully detailed description of your work and I do have some art I will be trying this on. I love the frame and the extra diagonal pieces in the corners are captivating except that they look a teeny bit more red than the frame. This distracts my eye from the art itself. Was that deliberate? And why? The witch is my favorite, because some of her looks stitched. What mediums did the artist use? Thank you so much for sharing! You make me almost regret not being on Instagram and Facebook to see more if your work.

Comments
Join the conversation
4 of 14 comments
  • Pat hayes Pat hayes on Aug 04, 2018

    sorry! replied to myself...oops😣,

    again...a pic of the cosmos, from

    NASA! overall a very interesting giclee'...will look so much better with a frame like yours but, i intend to make it silver....fits the subject matter, cheers!

  • Juniper Juniper on Sep 25, 2022

    I love that painting! And that frame looks so good with it too.

Next