Building Photo Frames Guidelines
You'll find 5 effortless methods to framing.
Stage 1 - The way to Slash Mats
Adding a colour border (the mat) all around your artwork enhances the picture and offers a restful location involving the impression and the picture body. The color and dimensions of the mat board should be made a decision first, as this can figure out the overall proportions within your picture frame. You begin by calculating the exterior dimension from the mat.
To chop the mat utilize a top quality bevel mat cutter and ruler. You can find a number of slicing systems to match several budgets and skill concentrations, including the Mat Master Model 660 for the hobbyists, into the Mat Master 860B or 1060B to the keen dwelling photo framer.
Mark the borders to become cut over the back in the mat board.
Be sure the mat will go over the edges with the artwork, by subtracting approx. 3mm or 1/8" in the impression size (duration & width). Cut the mat following the instructions for your mat cutter. Attach the picture towards the mat using 2 small pieces of acid free tape over the top edge only.
Move 2 - Tips on how to Cut the picture Frame
How much image body moulding material will I need? Carefully measure the picture and mat you wish to frame. Add an extra (3mm) for "play" to ensure the picture fits easily into the finished picture frame.
Add the length (L) and width (W) together, then multiply the total by 2 to give you the overall length. You also have to allow to the mitre cuts, so multiply the width (W2) in the moulding by 10 and add this to your total.
(L W) x 2 (W2 x 10) = TOTAL
Creating the 45 degree mitre cut in your framing material is most important - your joining will only be as great as your reducing. Always utilize a high quality manual Mitre Saw... we recommend the Proman hand saw which is made in Sweden as the best on the market. Electric powered Drop Saws are not ideal for cutting small delicate picture frames.
Good Measure System helps to make measuring easy and eliminates many mistakes. Once you have lower the very first mitre, slide the picture body material along to the required size over the measuring scale, and set the stop. You are now ready to chop the very first 2 pieces of one's photo body. Change the settings to cut the other 2 sides of the body.
Reducing one side for a frame is quick.
Reducing the second side to generally be be the same as the initial, is the hard part. With the FrameCo Ezy-Measure System you can slice accurately every time.
Action 3 - The best way to Clamp Frames
How do you Clamp the Frame? Clamping the body tightly is essential for good joining. You can use the a Cord Clamp, or the Steel Strap Clamp to secure the image frame ready for joining.
The advantage in the Strap Clamp is that you can see all the four corners from the image body clamped together before joining. So alignment on the corners is easy.
All corners should match up evenly. Apply a little wood glue to all corners from the frame for added strength. Carefully tension the clamp creating positive that the corners are aligned then secure the clamp tightly.
You are now ready for joining.
Action 4 - Tips on how to Join Frames
Most image frames are joined with a V-Nail. This is the easiest method and it is what the professional photo framer uses. The FrameCo PushMaster joining tool, inserts V-Nails into the corner from the frame. Two V-Nails in each corner is usually all that is necessary.
The PushMaster can be used by hand alone on most picture frames, or you can tap the PushMaster with a mallet if the frame is hardwood. The PushMaster can be upgraded on the BenchMaster® which will insert V-Nails into the harderst of timbers.
V-nails: How do they work?
Upon entry, the sides in the V-Nail are deflected outwards. As it pulls back again into its original shape, the join is pulled together. The little curl about the edge of your V-Nail locks the nail into the grain from the timber. Glue alone is not sufficient for strong stable joints, by introducing a V-Nail you achieve a strong, tight joint. Which V-Nail size . . . You make use of a V-Nail about 1/2 the frame height.
Sizes are: 7mm - 1/4", 10mm - 3/8", 12mm - 1/2", 15mm - 5/8"
Action five - The way to Finish Frames
Take the empty photo body to a glass merchant and have them reduce a piece of glass for you. If you wish to chop glass yourself use a top quality oil filled cutter, or the Glass Cutter. Use only 2mm plain or non-reflective glass.
Fome Core is the ideal backing board as it is light weight, acid free and easy to cut. You can also use 3mm MDF or cardboard. Place the empty frame face down and insert the glass, then the matted picture and lastly the backing board.
Use the PushMaster to insert brads or flexipoints into the rear of your respective image frame to hold everything in place.
Use Backing Nails for large frames or heavy items. Flexipoints are flexible and ideal for needlework or when you want to re move the picture, eg. photo frames.
To seal the artwork in the frame, tape over the brads/flexipoints using a good high quality backing tape. This can prevent dust or insects getting into the picture.