Assembling your ready-made frame is a straightforward process that takes just a few minutes. Follow these steps to get your artwork mounted, hanging hardware installed, and frame ready to hang on your wall.
Mounting Your Artwork
Unbox your frame and inspect both the moulding and the corners to ensure there is no shipping damage or structural flaws. Lay the frame face down on a clean, soft towel or the cardboard packaging it came with to protect the finish. On the back, use a flathead screwdriver to carefully bend back the flexible metal framer’s points, then lift out the backing and mat.
If your frame includes glass, wipe the inside surface clean with a microfiber cloth; only remove the glass from the frame if it requires a deeper cleaning, handling the edges very carefully with protective gloves. If your frame features acrylic, start by peeling off the protective plastic film from both sides, then clean off any residual dust if necessary before proceeding with assembly.
Mounting With a Mat
If your frame includes a mat, it will come with acid-free tape to securely hold your image in place. Start by applying a strip of tape to the back of each of the top corners of your artwork, leaving part of the adhesive exposed. With your artwork face up, carefully align your mat over the artwork, ensuring the artwork is centered in the mat. Flip both the artwork and mat over together and press the tape down firmly onto the back of the mat to secure it.
Once your art is mounted, place the matted piece face down inside the frame directly against the glass. Place your backing into the frame and then firmly press the flexible metal framer’s points back down around all sides to lock everything into place.
Mounting Without a Mat
If you are framing your artwork without a mat, the process is quick and straightforward. Simply place your artwork face down directly onto the cleaned glazing inside the frame, align it centered, and layer the backing board on top. Once aligned, firmly press the flexible metal framer's points back down into position around all edges to secure the entire assembly.
Installing Hanging Hardware
Your ready-made frame comes with either a sawtooth hanger or wire hanging hardware. Check your frame to determine which system you have.
Sawtooth Hanger Installation
Lay the frame face down on a soft surface, such as a towel or piece of cardboard, to protect the moulding and glass while you work. Find the center of the frame's top rail using a tape measure and mark the spot lightly with a pencil. Align the center notch of the sawtooth hanger directly with your mark, hold it steady, and gently hammer the two provided nails into the wood until the hanger sits securely against the frame.
Wire Hanger Installation
To install a wire hanging kit, measure down about one-third of the distance from the top on both side rails of the frame and mark the spot lightly with a pencil. Secure the mounting bracket at each mark using the provided screws, ensuring the loops point inward. Thread the wire through the loop of one bracket, loop it through a second time to lock it, and wrap the excess wire tightly around itself. Pull the wire across to the opposite side—leaving a slight amount of slack in the center—and attach it to the second bracket using the same knotting and wrapping technique.
Hanging Your Frame on the Wall
Your ready-made frame comes with hanging hardware options depending on the size you ordered. Choose the method that works best for your wall type and frame weight.
Wire Hanger
If you chose a wire hanging kit, your frame will include a hook sized to match your frame dimensions. Small hooks work best for frames up to 12 inches wide, medium hooks for frames 12 to 24 inches, and large hooks for frames larger than 24 inches. Install the hook at your desired height on the wall, ensuring it's level and securely fastened into a stud or wall anchor. Hang your frame by the wire on the hook.
Sawtooth Hanger
If your frame includes a sawtooth hanger instead, this method is even simpler. Drive a single nail into your wall at your desired height. The sawtooth hanger on the back of your frame will catch on the nail, holding your frame securely in place.
Leveling Your Frame
Use a level to ensure your frame hangs perfectly straight. Place the level on top of the frame and adjust it's position on the hook or nail until the bubble sits in the center. Step back and view your frame from different angles to confirm it looks level and balanced on your wall.
Enjoy!
0 comments