Friday, October 9, 2009

DIY Tutorial to frame ACEOs and small works on Paper using Photo Corners

Here is a simple and affordable DIY tutorial that anyone can do!

Here are the materials you will need:





















1. 5"x7", 6"x8" , 8"x10", or larger sized ready-made frame.
2. Acid-Free Mat board.
3. Exacto or utility knife.
4. Four acid-free Photo-corners.
5. Ruler or straight-edge.
6. Pencil.
7. Cardboard or mat to protect cutting surface.

Use any ready-made frame that comes with glass/plexi and cut a piece of mat board (preferably acid-free) with a utility knife to the same size opening.

My personal preference is to use inexpensive thin black frames and a light colored mat (white or beige) as it seems to match well in various home decor environments; but it's really is up to your creative personal preference.

For this tutorial I used an 8" x 10" inch frame with a beige colored mat board.

STEP 1:

On the backside of the mat board  measure 8" inches wide and 10" inches high with your ruler and draw pencil lines as cutting guides.




















STEP 2:

Cut the mat board with a utility knife along the cutting guidelines using the ruler or straight edge. Remember: to use a piece of cardboard or foamboard underneath the mat board to protect the surface you will be cutting on.


STEP 3:
Take the 4 acid free photo-corners and place them snugly along the corners of your ACEO or work on paper. Using photo-corners allows one to securely display work without having to use harmful tape or glue adhesives. Also the work can be safely removed in the future.




















STEP 4:

Take the mat board and mark the center on the displayable surface.

For an 8" x 10" mat board, the center would be 4 inches equidistant from the left and right sides and 5 inches equidistant from the top and bottom.

I use this technique so I can center mount the work properly on top of the mat board. If you rather just eyeball it - then this step is optional.























If for any reason the work needs to be re-centered and re-mounted on the mat board i've found you can still carefully and safely remove the photo-corners from the matboard.

STEP 5:
After you mount the work on top of the mat board it is almost ready to be inserted into the frame.





















Before you insert the mat board into the 8" x 10" frame make sure that the glass is smudge and debris free. Clean the glass with a damp cloth and a little Windex and let it dry for a few minutes.

STEP 6 - FINAL STEP:
Insert the mounted work into the frame and hang on the wall. Voila!

There a unlimited ways to display art and 2D work, have fun with it!



















With this technique you can mount more than one work and make interesting visual arrangements, like a diptych, triptych or create geometric shapes. Let your imagination run free. Enjoy!

ABOUT PHOTO CORNERS:
These are the photo-corners I use, made by Canson. 

You can also find a whole range of styles and colors on Amazon.

Canson Website: Here you can find retail shops near you that carry this item.

I would try to look for them in retail shops where you live first - it's not worth paying the online shipping for such an inexpensive item  - Scrapbook - Photography Stores - Arts & Crafts stores and even Office Supply Stores might carry them.

I find photo-corners are a great way to preserve cherished art, memorabilia, and photographs.

I hope that helps. If you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask. Thanks for visiting!

15 comments:

  1. Wow! Thanks for sharing all that information!

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  2. What a lovely way to present small pieces of art, I'll have to try that. Thanks for sharing!

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  3. That looks amazing; it really sets the ACEO off beautifully.

    Your work is really amazing by the way!

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  4. That is a great tutorial - I have never bought ACEOs because I wouldn't know what to do with them... now I know! I can't wait until I move out in August so I can start hanging this kind of stuff everywhere... bookmarking your post for then.

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  5. I have lots of tiny works (ACEOs) that need to be framed. This was very helpful - looks like you put a lot of effort into it.
    Rhiannon
    Daily Paint Journal

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  6. Great step by step instruction!
    I've learned the hard way of not using Acid-Free Mat board...they are turning color after I framed them! Thanks & have a wonderful weekend Daniel! xo*

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  7. Thanks for following the blog Daniel, youve got some good tips here.
    Jeff Lafferty

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  8. Thank you for this information - great blog!

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  9. Great instructions - thank you. I used this same technique last year on card stock for my Christmas cards. It was a card and an ACEO gift as well.

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  10. Lovely, work, Daniel. Thanks for stopping by my blog too. :)

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  11. Great way to mat and frame without having to cut the opening on the mat. Framing is getting way to expensive so thanks for the idea!

    Lynne

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  12. Very nice tutorial!

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  13. Good information, Daniel ~ that's a nice way to display ACEOs =)

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  14. Amazing paintings Daniel Well done!
    x Julie x

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