How to Frame Oil Paintings

Framing an oil painting professionally can be quite costly. With a few basic carpentry skills, you can frame stretched oil paintings on your own and save a substantial amount. (Stretched oil paintings are on a wooden support and are framed by a simple wooden frame without either a full backing or glass.) Learning to do your own oil painting framing will also allow you to choose frames well suited to your decor and home, as well as each individual painting. This is a fairly quick project.

Things You'll Need

• Stretched oil painting
• Frame pieces, cut at a 45-degree angle
• Staple gun
• Right angle
• Screwdriver
• Hanging hardware
• Acid-free brown kraft paper
• Acid-free brown masking tape

Instructions

1. Measure your oil painting carefully. Note these measurements as well as any stylistic preferences. Think about both your home and the style of the painting when you plan out the oil painting frame.

2. Visit your local frame shop or craft store. Many framing shops will sell individual frame profile pieces for a reasonable price, and coupons and sales are common. When you select your frame profiles, have them cut at the store at a 45-degree angle.

3. Construct your oil painting frame. Carefully line up and staple each corner together with a staple gun. Be certain that the edges are secure and butted tightly up against one another. Use a right angle to make sure that your oil painting frame is square.

4. Place the stretched oil painting into your newly created frame. If your canvas is not mounted on a wooden support, see Resources for a mounting link. Use your staple gun to secure the painting into the frame, placing the staples into the frame on the middle of each side, but not the oil painting itself. The staples should be along the sides of the frame itself, holding the canvas into place, but not piercing it.

5. Apply the picture hanger of your choice. Metal hooks and cable are ideal for larger paintings; however, a simple bracket-type picture hanger will work for lighter oil paintings.

6. Cut acid-free brown kraft paper to cover the back side of your oil painting. Secure into place with acid-free brown masking tape for a museum style finish to your framing. This will also prevent the accumulation of dust on the back of your painting.

Tips & Warnings

• See Resources for a stretching tutorial if your oil painting is unstretched.

• Consider professional framing for valuable or delicate oil paintings.

Resources

• How to stretch an oil painting canvas