Tips & Tricks: Framing Your Artwork
The Scottsdale Artists League is building a growing library of practical "Tips & Tricks" to help members develop their skills and prepare artwork for exhibition. This page includes framing advice, recommended materials, and best practices shared by experienced League members.
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Quick reminders when wiring backs of paintings:
Place D-rings 1/3 down the height of a frame/painting (e.g., if a frame/painting is 24” tall, place D-rings 8” below the top edge of the painting).
When using eye screws for cradled boards, place them on the inside of the frame, not on the back. (When placed on the back of the frame/cradled board, they will not allow the painting to lay flat on the wall.)
The wire should be attached to the D-rings leaving enough slack to pull and reach the mid-point of the space between the top edge of your frame and height of D-rings.
Don’t make the wire too loose. A loose wire makes the painting fall away from the wall.
Don’t make wire so tight that you can’t easily place your hand behind the painting when hanging to slide the wire onto a hanger.
We hope to offer this Tips & Tricks class regularly. Please join us as often as you would like for a refresher and to share any tips you’ve learned along the way as well.
Framing Tips
Save money buy in quantity and share cost with other artists…
Shrink tubing used to protect ends of wires from cutting or putting holes in dust covers. Looks professional. Slide it onto the wire before attaching to second D-Ring then use hair dryer to shrink. Found on Amazon
You can find a variety of D Rings all Sizes
Offset Clips are used to secure painting to frame for a variety of Floater Frames.
Amazon Offset Canvas Clips for Picture Framing Assorted Small Sizes, 10 Each 0/0", 1/8", 1/4" 3/8" 1/2", 10 Pieces Each Size Packed with 100 Screws About $10
Strong Framers tape for securing dust cover paper. And business cards and title cards to back.
GGR Supplies T.R.U. ATG-7502 ATG Tape (Acid Free Adhesive Transfer Tape): 1/4 in. Wide x 36 yds. (Pack of 12) Price, product page$24.98 ($0.02/feet)Top of Form
I use Secure Wire- Strong but soft …braided Picture Wire.
Go to framing shops or art supply stores and ask the framing department if you can buy the paper to go on the back of frames as a dust cover and to cover messy backs of frames. You can buy it by the yard.
Although it depends on your personal taste, heavy ornate frames are currently not as popular as floater frames.
Framing is easy when you use an electric drill to predrill holes for D-Rings and Steps. The small electric drill also saves your hands from straining with the insertion of screws.
A metal ruler and sharp box cutter are ideal for cutting the paper on the back of frames.
Controversy about whether to date paintings. I write on the wood my name, title, size,
e-mail, and website. I also attach my business card with QR Code to my Website.
Edges of canvas wrapped 11/2”-2” depth are allowed in shows. It is personal preference, but edges should be finished somehow.
Mohawk Fill Sticks can be used to correct minor flaws in frames.
Framing can save money but doing it professionally will enhance the value of your piece.
Never deliver a cracked or damaged frame to a show. If you have a frame with matt and
glass make sure the frame is sturdy and the wiring secure.
Make sure the top of the wire is at least 11/2 “ from the top of the frame so the hanger does not show at the top.
If you have additional questions please contact Leslie Austin at laustin39@cox.net.