How to Assemble a Picture Frame

You've measured, meditated, and made your decision. When the box arrives from the framing company, the fun begins.

Things You'll Need

• Chamois Cloth
• Wood Glues (for Wood Frame)
• Compressed Airs
• Art
• Paint
• Picture Frames
• Varnish
• Kraft Papers
• Hammers And Nails Or Brad Gun
• Nails
• Sandpaper (for Wood Frame)

Instructions

1. Open the box.

2. Check to make sure that all the promised parts are there and nothing is damaged or broken.

3. Sand and paint the wood frame parts with whatever finish or color you desire - or leave the wood raw. Metal frames need no painting or finishing.

4. Match up the corners of the wood frame in preparation to assemble it. If you are leaving the wood raw or coating it with a protective varnish only, you will want to choose pieces whose wood grain matches best.

5. Assemble the wood frame with wood glue and the connecting inserts that come with the package.

6. Take a corner and apply the glue to each end and to the notch that the insert will fit into.

7. Press the ends together and gently tap in the plastic insert with a rubber or wooden mallet to bind the corner together.

8. Do the same with the opposite corner, and then join the two halves of the frame at the remaining corners. Let the glue dry.

9. Screw metal frames together at the corners with the corner inserts provided.

10. Peel adhesive off the Plexiglas and place it in the frame.

11. Place the matted art in the frame. If shadowboxing, insert the mitered spacers first and glue them.

12. Lay the backing board over the back of the mat (or into the shadowbox) and use a brad gun or hammer and nails to secure it around the edge of the frame.

13. Measure 1/3 of the way down from the top of the frame on each side and screw in the eye hooks.

14. String picture hanging wire between the hooks and pull to make it tight. (You don't want the wire to show over the top of the picture when you hang it.)

Tips & Warnings

• For a truly professional look on a wood frame, get a sheet of brown kraft paper that is larger than your frame. After securing the backing board - but before screwing in the eye hooks - spread wood glue around the edge of the frame that will be against the wall. Place the paper over it and stretch it as tightly as you can in all directions. Allow to dry for about a half hour. Then take a sanding block or piece of sandpaper and lightly sand the outside edge of the frame to remove any extra paper.

• Compressed air is helpful for blowing dust out of the frame.

• Plexiglas scratches very easily. Use only chamois and Plexiglas cleaner if you need to clean it. Consider using an antistatic solution made especially for Plexiglas as well.

• If using glass, handle the edges carefully - they're sharp.