Floating acrylic photo frames bring an artsy museum-like magnificence to even the most normal spaces. Sometimes referred to as plexiglass frames or frameless image frames, these frames are my top alternative for exhibiting special artwork prints and even posters. And they&rsquore a excellent choice to conventional photograph gallery walls.
Their hardly-there search is ethereal and crisp and very high touch. The very best component is that acrylic image frames will get the job done with any variety of decor from classic to vintage, to my personalized most loved – world bohemian stylish.
But have you ever checked the price tag of acrylic photograph frames??? That beautiful floating body in the impression underneath will set you back a good $one hundred twenty bucks. For. A person. Frame. Yikes! Yep, soon after looking at very similar selling prices in other places, I knew accurately what I wanted to do. I necessary to dig deep to produce a very low-price, higher-conclude looking, Diy floating acrylic body. The acrylic frame tutorial you are about to read is handy for any one on the lookout for simple, cost-effective techniques to up grade the seem of their artwork assortment at property.
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What You&rsquoll Want
 
 Standoffs to mount your frames
 Acrylic sheets – One established of 2 for each individual frame (hold examining for suggestions on where to come across them)
 A massive metal tent stake or nail (Idea: I uncovered a person at Ace Components for $1.50)
 4 spring clamps to hold the acrylic in place though you operate on it
 A drill for mounting the wall hardware
Exactly where to Acquire Acrylic Sheets to Make the Floating Frames
 
 
To my surprise, I discovered a range of areas the place I could invest in acrylic sheets and even acrylic body kits. For instance, I discovered these ready-manufactured acrylic body kits on Etsy. Regretably for me, the premier size available was eleven x fourteen. My artwork measured 11 x seventeen. Due to the fact I desired a 3&rdquo acrylic border all around the artwork, I needed my frames to measure fourteen x 20. This would support me make the illusion of massive parts of floating artwork.
 
Then I realized that Home Depot sold massive acrylic sheets much too. But $116 was more than I wished to devote. In addition, I could hardly ever get a very clear reply on whether or not Property Depot would cut the acrylic sheet into to the dimensions I desired. Last but not least, I settled on Ace Components, wherever I obtained 4 eighteen&rdquox 24&rdquo acrylic sheets for $11.99 every. Every sheet is about the exact thickness as a quarter inch piece of glass. Ace Hardware then lower the acrylic – cost-free of demand – into 2 sets of frames measuring 14×20. Et voila! Complete cost with tax was just $51.56.
 
Are the frames you require drastically lesser? If so, the deal gets even sweeter. Just inquire the Ace Components glass cutter if he has any left over acrylic from previous cuts that match your dimensions. Ace Components will market them to you for a fraction of the authentic expense. I did that when recreating this tutorial and only put in a mere $one.50 for four 9 x 11 sheets. Ace is absolutely the put ya&rsquoll!
I know on the other hand that some seriously inexpensive…ahem…frugal people today will say "But Ola, I discovered acrylic sheets even more cost-effective at Passion Foyer!". Allow the customer beware although. All those are super slender, craft grade acrylic sheets and will by no means keep up over time.
 
Now for the standoffs. Immediately after buying a established that was too compact to make an impression, I settled on these reasonably priced silver 1/2&rdquo x four/5&rdquo wall mount standoff bolts. They arrive twenty to a pack.
How to &ldquoDrill&rdquo the Holes for the Acrylic Photograph Frame
Drilling the holes to make your acrylic photograph frames may audio like a no-brainer to you, but it can get very tough. In actuality, not knowing additional about this vital stage forced me to have to get extra acrylic mainly because I ruined the initial set. Suddenly the budget for my oh-so-cost-effective Do-it-yourself acrylic frames amplified by fifty percent. Ouch! Avoid problems by spending shut interest to these instructions.
You see, when drilling the holes for your standoffs you will have to drill very, quite gradually, or the acrylic will crack. I&rsquom likely to display you how to steer clear of that situation completely. Rather of drilling the hole (like I did at initial), do the subsequent:
DO NOT take away the protecting plastic from the frame
Mark the destinations of your four holes on the first piece of acrylic. Use your initially piece as a template for the relaxation of the parts to make certain the holes are all line up.
Heat the big metal stake or nail more than a hearth
This is Substantially, a great deal much easier than drilling the gap. Use a pair of vice grips to hold the metal stake in area, and to steer clear of burning on your own.
Pierce the area for the gap
Let the melted edges of the plastic to interesting. These should really then snap ideal making a clear gap for your standoff.
This is Considerably, a lot easier than drilling the gap. Use a pair of vice grips to maintain the steel stake in position, and to keep away from burning oneself.
How to Put in Your Snazzy New Floating Wall Frames
In this article is the easiest way to install your new frames:
Area one particular piece of all set-to-dangle acrylic sheet instantly onto the wall where it will be hung
With your other hand, use a amount to make sure the acrylic body is straight
Your standoffs will usually occur with anchors. I strongly suggest using them. You don&rsquot want to wake up in the middle of the evening to uncover these high-quality thangs cracked and shattered on the floor do you? I didn&rsquot believe you did. So remember to use the anchors.
Nervous about putting as well quite a few holes in the wall? Just fasten the two top standoffs to the wall. Then attach the standoffs to the bottom holes of the body, but DO NOT fasten them to the wall. No a single will be the wiser. I observed this carried out at a resort the moment and it blew me away.
&mdash Ola
Congratulations! You&rsquove now made THE most effective, most economical Do it yourself acrylic frames ever. Now all you have to do is sit back again and enjoy your recently made chef d&rsquooeuvre (masterpiece).
Use a pen/pencil to mark the location of the holes specifically onto the wall
Drill gap and insert anchor
Sandwich your print or photograph between 2 pieces of acrylic and thread the standoff via the holes to mount