[johnas]

Here's the deal. Framing is expensive but it is possible to frame less expensive pieces well, using readymade frames. The following is a step by step guide at doing it yourself.

Tools That You'll Need

• Scalpel or sharp scissors
  
• Screwdriver
  
• Lint free cloth
  
• Ruler or Tape Measure
  

[johnas]

STEP 1 - The Equipment

• Readymade frame (the one here comes from Athena and is 50x70; cost £24.99)
  
• Sticky back spacers (these are 3mm and available from your local framing shop; cost c. £1 per foot)
  
• Acid Free Backing Card (5mm 815x1200 sheet c. £2.50)
  
• Backing Tape (£2.50 per roll)
  

[johnas]

STEP 2

• Lay your frame flat and remove the backing board
  
• Get your spacers and cut them to size. They need to sit at the edge of the glass, within the aperture and not visable from the front
  
• Remove the sticky backing and place the first 2 to the top and bottom of the glass (pic1), ensuring they're well stuck
  
• Next, stick on the sides. These should 'buffer up' to the top and bottom spacers (pic2)
  

[johnas]

STEP 3

• Before laying your lovely, fresh flattened print inside the frame, make sure you clean the inside of the glass with your lint free cloth to remove any dirt and fingerprints!
  
• Then lay your print inside the frame. Ensure the print sits on top of the spacers right around the frame (pic 3)
  
• Now get your acid free backing card and lay on top of your print (pic 4)
  
• You should now have the following layers; glass with spacers then print, then backing card (pic 5)
  

Pic 3


Pic 4


Pic 5

[johnas]

STEP 4

• Place the backing board you got with the frame back on top of the backing paper (pic 6)
  
• With one hand, push down on the backing board to expel any air that is inside the frame
  
• Bend the rear clips into place as tightly as possible, to hold the backing board in place
  

Pic 6

[johnas]

STEP 5

• Grab your backing tape and start with the sides
  
• Stick half on the frame and cut to length of the side (pic 7)
  
• Now you need to stick the tape to the backing board and create a seal (pic 8)
  
• It's probably best to stick a couple of layers of tape down to completely seal the gap between the frame and the backing board (pic 9)
  
• Repeat all the way around the frame and remember to keep pressing down on the backing board to expel all that air and to seal the unit
  

Pic 7


Pic 8


Pic 9

[johnas]

STEP 6

• Now you need to attach your D clips and string/rope
  
• Meaure 1/3rd of the way down from the top and make a mark on the frame
  
• Screw in your D Clips on each side using your screwdriver. Make sure they are screwed in as tightly as possible!!!
  
• SECURELY attach your string!!!
  
• The back of your frame should now look like Pic 10!
  

Pic 10

[johnas]

That's it..... Job's a good 'un!!

Print - £40
Frame - £24.99
Materials - £9
TOTAL COST £73.99 (including the print!)

Enjoyment you get from the print..... priceless ;D ;D

[carlito]

cooooool nice one Johnas

[alderevans2007]

Thanks alot mate. You cleared a few things up for me there.

+1 from me (not that you really need it ;D)

[jellya]

Yeah, nice one johnas. really useful. ;D

Where do you get the acid free backing card from? Local framer??

[johnas]

carlito said:

cooooool nice one Johnas

just wait for misterframeman to come on here though and rip it apart!!! ;D ;D ;D

[johnas]

jellya said:

Yeah, nice one johnas. really useful. ;D

Where do you get the acid free backing card from? Local framer??

yep, local frame shop.... it's not fancy mountboard just something he recommended. Plus, if you buy a big sheet, you've got enough left over for another frame job!

cheers guys. thought it was worth doing a guide as i was framing this one up!

[carlito]

jellya said:

Yeah, nice one johnas. really useful. ;D

Where do you get the acid free backing card from? Local framer??

or an art supplier will have it such as Atlantis Arts, thats my local I use for portfolio sleeves, mountboard etc

[carlito]

you'll have to do a section on float mounting next lol ... I float mounted my Pure evil 'lonely hearts', proper cack handed affair it is too!

[Curley]

Good work johnas.

[corblimeylimey]

Brilliant johnas, well done.

Have you decided to keep it for yourself now or as originally planned, give as a present?

[johnas]

corblimeylimey said:

Brilliant johnas, well done.

Have you decided to keep it for yourself now or as originally planned, give as a present?

hhmmmm, still undecided.... would make a great present for my brother's birthday but it does look damn good up on the wall! Thankfully I've got until the end of August to decide ;D

[Catwoman]

This is top J, thanks man, this could save me a fortune! ;D ;D

[stuey09]

Love that avatar strangewaysman ;D