Floating acrylic picture frames deliver an artsy museum-like class to even the most standard spaces. Sometimes referred to as plexiglass frames or frameless picture frames, these frames are my leading selection for displaying special artwork prints and even posters. And they&rsquore a fantastic alternative to standard image gallery walls.
Their scarcely-there search is ethereal and crisp and pretty large touch. The greatest component is that acrylic photo frames will operate with any form of decor from classic to classic, to my own preferred – world wide bohemian chic.
But have you at any time checked the value of acrylic picture frames??? That lovely floating frame in the impression down below will set you back a reliable $a hundred and twenty bucks. For. A person. Frame. Yikes! Yep, soon after viewing equivalent costs somewhere else, I understood exactly what I essential to do. I required to dig deep to produce a very low-price tag, superior-end looking, Do it yourself floating acrylic body. The acrylic frame tutorial you are about to study is useful for any one looking for straightforward, very affordable ways to up grade the search of their art collection at household.
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What You&rsquoll Want
 
 Standoffs to mount your frames
 Acrylic sheets – One particular set of two for each and every body (maintain looking through for tips on where by to come across them)
 A significant steel tent stake or nail (Suggestion: I found a single at Ace Components for $one.fifty)
 4 spring clamps to keep the acrylic in location even though you work on it
 A drill for mounting the wall hardware
Where by to Invest in Acrylic Sheets to Make the Floating Frames
 
 
To my shock, I uncovered a variety of destinations the place I could acquire acrylic sheets and even acrylic frame kits. For instance, I observed these ready-built acrylic frame kits on Etsy. However for me, the premier dimension accessible was eleven x fourteen. My artwork measured look here . Because I needed a three&rdquo acrylic border all around the artwork, I necessary my frames to measure 14 x 20. This would support me build the illusion of big pieces of floating art.
 
Then I learned that Home Depot sold big acrylic sheets too. But $116 was a lot more than I wanted to commit. As well as, I could under no circumstances get a crystal clear remedy on irrespective of whether or not House Depot would slash the acrylic sheet into to the sizes I required. Last but not least, I settled on Ace Hardware, wherever I acquired four 18&rdquox 24&rdquo acrylic sheets for $eleven.99 every. Each individual sheet is about the identical thickness as a quarter inch piece of glass. Ace Hardware then minimize the acrylic – cost-free of cost – into two sets of frames measuring 14×20. Et voila! Complete value with tax was just $51.fifty six.
 
Are the frames you will need substantially smaller? If so, the deal gets even sweeter. Just request the Ace Components glass cutter if he has any left in excess of acrylic from past cuts that match your dimensions. Ace Hardware will promote them to you for a fraction of the authentic price. I did that when recreating this tutorial and only spent a mere $one.50 for four nine x 11 sheets. Ace is definitely the put ya&rsquoll!
I know nevertheless that some seriously inexpensive…ahem…frugal persons will say "But Ola, I uncovered acrylic sheets even less expensive at Passion Lobby!". Allow the purchaser beware while. Individuals are tremendous thin, craft quality acrylic sheets and will by no means hold up above time.
 
Now for the standoffs. Following purchasing a established that was also little to make an effects, I settled on these reasonably priced silver 1/two&rdquo x 4/five&rdquo wall mount standoff bolts. They occur twenty to a pack.
How to &ldquoDrill&rdquo the Holes for the Acrylic Image Body
Drilling the holes to make your acrylic photograph frames could possibly sound like a no-brainer to you, but it can get quite tough. In fact, not knowing much more about this critical move forced me to have to purchase a lot more acrylic for the reason that I ruined the to start with set. Out of the blue the finances for my oh-so-cost-effective Do-it-yourself acrylic frames improved by fifty p.c. Ouch! Prevent mistakes by shelling out close interest to these directions.
You see, when drilling the holes for your standoffs you should drill very, pretty gradually, or the acrylic will crack. I&rsquom heading to display you how to avoid that predicament entirely. As an alternative of drilling the hole (like I did at to start with), do the subsequent:
DO NOT clear away the protective plastic from the frame
Mark the destinations of your 4 holes on the very first piece of acrylic. Use your initially piece as a template for the relaxation of the parts to make absolutely sure the holes are all line up.
Warmth the substantial metallic stake or nail about a hearth
This is Considerably, significantly easier than drilling the hole. Use a pair of vice grips to keep the steel stake in spot, and to avoid burning oneself.
Pierce the location for the gap
Allow for the melted edges of the plastic to cool. These ought to then snap proper creating a clear hole for your standoff.
This is Much, significantly easier than drilling the gap. Use a pair of vice grips to keep the metallic stake in place, and to keep away from burning your self.
How to Install Your Snazzy New Floating Wall Frames
Below is the most straightforward way to put in your new frames:
Spot a person piece of all set-to-hold acrylic sheet directly onto the wall where it will be hung
With your other hand, use a level to make sure the acrylic body is straight
Your standoffs will ordinarily come with anchors. I strongly propose applying them. You don&rsquot want to wake up in the center of the night time to discover these high-quality thangs cracked and shattered on the ground do you? I didn&rsquot assume you did. So be sure to use the anchors.
Concerned about putting much too many holes in the wall? Just fasten the two top rated standoffs to the wall. Then attach the standoffs to the bottom holes of the frame, but DO NOT fasten them to the wall. No just one will be the wiser. I saw this completed at a resort once and it blew me away.
&mdash Ola
Congratulations! You&rsquove now produced THE very best, most cost-effective Do it yourself acrylic frames ever. Now all you have to do is sit back again and enjoy your newly designed chef d&rsquooeuvre (masterpiece).
Use a pen/pencil to mark the locale of the holes straight onto the wall
Drill gap and insert anchor
Sandwich your print or picture amongst 2 parts of acrylic and thread the standoff through the holes to mount