Picture Framing: Learn From my Experience

During a couple of years off the road, I bought into a small frame shop and went through the schooling to learn to frame pictures the right way. My partners managed to bankrupt the business, but I'm still something of an expert on the subject of picture framing and still do it a little in my spare time.

I won't go into an explanation on linear feet or purchasing of materials for a frame shop. If you get that far, you should know all those professional things. However, I can give you some good pointers for framing your own pictures and making them look professional.

1. How big is the picture you want to frame? Small photo, painting, large landscape? Your frame has to be big enough to fit the item in question. Decide how big a frame you need and whether or not you need extra room for matting.

2. Find a frame shop that can deliver the frame. If there isn't one near you, find a lumber yard that can cut the wood to your specifications. It probably won't cost much, depending on the size (some markets and hobby shops have pre-made frames.)

3. If you buy a plain wooden frame from a lumber yard, make sure it's cut so the corners fit tightly. With tiny nails and glue, you can achieve a perfect fit. Any kind of wood will work, whatever is cheapest won't be any different from the pricey types.

4. Once the frame is assembled, decide what color you need. Do you want the wood to show? Then buy a small can of stain and some lacquer. Personally, I like Minwax, but there are other brands. If you need a white, black, green or purple frame, use paint instead of stain.

5. Matting can be tricky. For most framing projects, you can get big sheets of heavy construction paper from craft stores or frame shops. What color matting do you want? That can vary a lot! Do you want to accent some shade in the picture? Do you want colors that will blend or contrast with the color scheme of the room you plan to use to display the picture? Or are you creating something unique for someone with a favorite color? I framed a picture of kittens for my daughter when she was very young. The kittens were white, the basket they were in was tan and the ribbons around their necks were red. I matted the picture in red to accent the ribbons, and framed it in black to contrast with the white. It's still a favorite of hers and hangs in her own home.

6. Collages can be great fun to make. I created one of the wife's family that she's very proud of. I bought an inexpensive gold frame, pink matting, and collected several of her favorite family photos. With an exacta knife I cut shapes in the matting (aiming a little inwards with the blade for a better look) and filled each of the cut outs with a different memory of her childhood and family. It's hanging in the living room for everyone to see.

7. Magazine pictures can make very nice gifts, if framed properly. My cousin was getting married and already had everything he needed. So I found a magazine ad with a picture of a train on it. Since the picture was already published and I wasn't using it for profit, I didn't worry about using it as a gift. I cut the photo out, leaving a little room around the edges. Using a swirling gray matting piece, I cut it to fit the exact shape of the train, making it look as though the train was surrounded by smoke. The frame was painted green to contrast with his yellow living room. He loved it!

8. One last suggestion, use good quality tape to attach the picture to the matting. There's nothing more aggravating than having a great picture slip and slide in the frame. Also, you don't need to buy expensive cut glass to cover the picture. Most lumber yards (and some hardware stores) have plexi-glass that is lighter, cheaper and looks just as good.

Using your imagination and a few ideas, you'll be amazed by what you can create! Give it a try!