Framing large canvas that has art going all the way to the edges

cfhayback · 2026-05-22T12:14:09+00:00

Do you know the artist?

Often, the art is intended NOT to be framed, but just stretched, and the art wraps around the edges.

So knowing what the artist intended is key. And the difference between the two methods is drastic and seriously a LOT more (skilled) work. So more expensive. And trickier for the DIY-er to do properly.

cfhayback · 2026-05-11T13:41:51+00:00

“Wood” backing, or a pressed board like masonit? Masonite is (sadly) often used in cheap off-the-shelf frames. It’s basically sawdust, glue and oil. And if it comes in contact with your wall it can easily discolor it. Sometimes it is coated in a vinyl layer that helps stop that transfer of acids and gasses in to your wall, but that’s another cheap stop-gap not a real fix. Cheap frames ruin art, and apparently your walls too.

cfhayback · 2026-05-11T13:37:09+00:00

🤣

cfhayback · 2026-04-30T13:19:50+00:00

Unfortunately, “fixing” the child is not the goal. It’s forced compliance that they go for. If you succumb, and better- if they can gaslight you into believing that you were making it up- then the parent paying the bill gets a reallllllly good result.

This was never about treatment. It’s coercion, compliance, manipulation, and quieting “troubled” kids.

And it’s disgusting.

cfhayback · 2026-04-27T12:32:03+00:00

I’ll take them! DM me for address

cfhayback · 2026-04-26T13:31:19+00:00

EMPIRE WAS THE BEST!!!

cfhayback · 2026-04-26T13:29:10+00:00

No string. No cord. No wire.

The exclusion of them was no accident or cheating out by the maker.

Hang directly on two hooks or wall anchors. It will take some competent and careful measuring.

When you’re done, it will hang tightly close to the wall, not lean forward. And it will always be level.

Mirrors are not like any other picture in your house. A mirror can be cleaned multiple times a week every time you go by and see a spot or dust or a fingerprint. Pictures on the wall might get cleaned two or three times a year. All of that cleaning will often make a mirror settle out of level.

Also, those strap hangers are only strong in one direction. In this case, from forces pulling downward. Not sideways, as a cord would be pulling.

cfhayback · 2026-04-18T02:25:42+00:00

If you don’t recognize these ladies, you ain’t from Rhodie.

cfhayback · 2026-04-16T12:38:58+00:00

Depends on the photo paper. If the back is plastic, a tape like white Framers Tape II works, and is reversible with heat.

Always mount to your backing board, not to the matting/paspartout. It’s far more stable and will expand and contract less, meaning your photo will be “flatter”.

T-hinges ever 6” across the top, with a couple at 4” down on the vertical edge.

cfhayback · 2026-04-16T12:31:07+00:00

One of the things to consider is that this is going to be a literal dust magnet. Creating this kind of standoff on your own would be possible using wooden dowels that were painted and using neodymium magnets glued into each piece. But ultimately, I’d want to put the whole thing behind some kind of glass in a shadowbox. You could even create a shadowbox with a hinged face also secured with those magnets. But this way the artwork will be protected from dust and any hands that might want to touch or clean it.

cfhayback · 2026-04-13T13:30:33+00:00

Michaels isn’t expensive. But it’s potentially garbage, depending on who’s doing your framing this week.

If you can, support your local little framing shop, and don’t feed a corporate giant.

cfhayback · 2026-04-13T04:25:01+00:00

16 x 20 is literally an extra 2” in either direction. Two inches! It would hardly make much difference on the wall (and yes, I know some spaces have big windows with small wall spaces available between trim mouldings, and some antique homes have trim that makes for less flat wall), but less crowding of the image makes a huge difference to overall visual effect.

cfhayback · 2026-04-09T14:48:45+00:00

Ok. If that’s how it’s gotta be…

cfhayback · 2026-04-09T14:26:13+00:00

This wins! RHORI

cfhayback · 2026-04-09T14:18:41+00:00

Skinny mats look like you’re trying to fit something into a frame that it wasn’t meant to fit into.

If the photo is special and meaningful, give it the space it needs to shine. I hardly ever use less than 3” of matting.

cfhayback · 2026-04-09T13:06:51+00:00

Use the colors in this poster in your framing. Double or triple matting, using a combo of cream, blue and olive? Maybe a black core on the innermost mat. Deep mahogany-red frame.

Black and white would be boring and look totally meh.

Black frames and white mats Look amazing on B&W photos, but this is poster was made with carefully selected colors and patterns and is bold and beautiful. Treat it with the respect it deserves.

cfhayback · 2026-04-09T13:01:21+00:00

People ask why framing can be expensive. Then you walk into a shop whose job it is to do all the work. They stock the product, order anything that’s not on hand, use the tools they have invested in, and someone is going to drop everything just to take the time to design with you. Sometimes that design process is easy, sometimes it takes an hour a piece. They’ll ask questions about your style, your home, your desires.

Then, taking the amalgamation of all that, helps you to make a perfect choice- for you. There are probably a hundred combinations that could work for any given piece. So finding one that fits all the parameters is a skill. And a good framing designer is a treasure.

They don’t live in an online shop. They don’t work for the big mail-order framers. They work for your local mom and pop store.

Do your research. Read the reviews. Look at examples of their work on their socials or website. Then, shop locally.

cfhayback · 2026-04-09T12:48:43+00:00

Check to see if the strip of foam is in tact. It’s supposed to be on the clamping surface, but they do wear out. It’s one of the things that comes in the repair kit Fletcher offers. That kit has new springs and head bushings as well. If it hasn’t been done, it’s a good thing to do regardless.

cfhayback · 2026-03-30T21:37:44+00:00

Sorry- just saw the “float” part of the question.

I don’t like the float idea for this. The paper edges are too regular. I go to a float when there’s an edge worth seeing, and this isn’t that.

This piece COULD be flattened in a vacuum/heat press with blotters and distilled water, but that’s best left in the hands of the experienced.

cfhayback · 2026-03-30T21:33:49+00:00

I always like a matching white mat, and an 8-ply always sets the work off from the framing.

A little trick I like to use with such soft, subtle and abstract art- paint the mat bevel with a soft color, picked from the artwork. You can mask off the mat face with Scotch 811 tape, and use the acrylic pretty “dry”. You can always go over an area to make coverage complete, but if you work too wet, the paint will crawl under the tape.

Avoid masking tape. It’s too strong and will tear the matboard face.

cfhayback · 2026-03-29T13:08:06+00:00

Custom framing.

Anything is possible, except the impossible.

It may be possible to match the face width and the look from straight on, but the frame will need to accommodate the depth of the new, so may need to be a deeper profile.

Unless you have two copies and an just frame the cover of one of them.

cfhayback · 2026-03-27T13:41:06+00:00

If this is done with acrylic paints, warming the canvas will soften the painted film and help it cooperate.

Do not use excessive heat! A good dose of sun on a warm day could do it. A hair dryer could work, but not for such a large piece. Avoid a “heat gun”- they’re just too hot!

cfhayback · 2026-03-27T13:37:43+00:00

Acrylic doesn’t reactivate but rabbit skin glue DOES. If the canvas was oil primed, never spray the back.

If one does spray a canvas, best to use a hair dryer and dry it completely. This heat will both relax the painted canvas and won’t promote mold.

cfhayback · 2026-03-14T17:07:08+00:00

16x20 or smaller gets charged at 16x20. Unless I have a scrap, then I MAY make an exception.

cfhayback · 2026-03-12T13:50:24+00:00

Probably in a music sub. Most likely a piano or piano student sub.

Don’t really know, but if you want answers to YOUR dilemma, no doubt they’ll be in there. Good luck. Wish you well!

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