AboutSara Tro Expertise I am a professional custom picture framer and designer. I have experience in all areas of
picture framing, and own my own custom framing shop. I can answer questions relating
to the design of a piece, the preservation of the artwork, color theory, photograph
restoration, decor, art placement, room balancing and installation questions.
Experience I have owned my own retail custom frame shop for 5 years, and managed a high-end shop before that for 5.5 years. I worked for a professional restorer and archivist for 8 months prior to the management position. I am also a fine artist myself, with a BFA in Photography and Printmaking, and have been framing my own work for years and years.
Education/Credentials BFA Fine Arts, NYSCC at Alfred University, NY
Expert: Sara Tro Date: 1/20/2008 Subject: poster frame
Question Hi, I just recieved a 21 x 62 inch poster and was wondering if you would know of any possible ways to build a frame that big? I just wanted to order an acrylic frame, thinking that it would be alot easier to find one, but if I have to build one I might. Thank you for any advice.
Answer hi Andrew,
Thanks for writing! Great question!
So, to begin, yes, you can build a frame that big. Frame moulding comes in up to 10' lengths, but most sticks of moulding are about 8 feet long, which will accommodate your 62" poster. That said, the frame needs to be substantial in order to hold the weight of the glass you use, as 62" is pretty long. If the piece is horizontal, more pressure is put on the frame when it's hanging, and you'd want to make sure the frame is definitely about 1-1/2" wide. You can use Plexiglas to reduce the weight, and thus the width/height of the frame necessary.
What you could do, if you just wanted to order something inexpensive online, is you could find not an acrylic frame but a metal profile to buy in different, custom lengths. Some companies online let you buy frames two legs at any size, so you could customize to your specific size. You'd want to make sure you buy a very sturdy metal frame, though, nothing too thin. Then be sure and use Plexiglas to keep the weight down.
If you decide to build a wood frame yourself, you certainly can get a good, warmer and more custom look with wood. If you have some good equipment, you can create a frame that will look great for a lot less than getting it custom framed at a professional shop, (which is another option if you decide to go that route and just get it done and invest money instead of time). you can buy any sturdy milled moulding, cut it with a very good chop saw blade that is perfectly tuned and aligned to 45degrees, and then you'll need a framing vice or a clamp you can use to hold your corners as you join the frame. You'll need a very good glue that retains some flexibility when dry, and dries clear, (I use "corner weld"), a good nail setter, a strap clamp, some frame vices or a quick 90degree vice, a good table/workspace, a hammer :), and some 1.5" brads. Take your chopped legs, cut to the size of the exterior of your poster (provided you're framing it right to the edge of the poster.. you can add some matting if you want to, just cut your frame to the total exterior size of the piece), and I would sand the edges a little if they're frayed. If you're going to stain the wood, or paint it, you could do that before joining, or before you cut it down. using your framing vice, (a 90 degree vice that will adjust and hold your two legs while you nail and glue them), set into place two of the four legs. Once in place, add glue ( a thin-ish layer) and tighten the vice. Remove any glue with a dry cloth, then using a 1/16" drill bit, or similar size, pre-drill some nail holes. If the moulding will accommodate, I'd use three nails.. two on the sides and one on the bottom top (if the piece is horizontal, put two nails into the long rails, if it's vertical, put two nails into the short rails). Stagger the nails, and set them in about a 1/16"the so you can hide them later. Do that on two sides, making two "L"s, then when dry, (1/2 hour at least) join the third and fourth sides. (Always support the ends of the rails with something, phone books work great, so they don't drop and put pressure on the glued sides). Once the frame is dry, get some framers putty and fill the nail holes and any little gaps. Fit in your glass, add the poster, (you could have it mounted so it stays flat), (and use a spacer to lift the glass if you use regular glass instead of plexi), and then seal it up. You could utilize a "self-framing" shop, like a "uframe it" or something, to make the finishing process easy.. they'll have the tools you'll need to fit the piece in your created frame, and it wouldn't break the bank.
So, to sum up, since the piece is large, consider the options you have. Depending on the budget, you could:
a) have it custom framed by a pro (easiest and most expensive option)
b) build a wood frame out of raw milled moulding (less expensive and way more time consuming)
c) order a sturdy metal frame on line cut to size, then have it fit for you professionally (less expensive and not too time consuming).
Keep in mind, the frame needs to be very strong because the piece is so big. You can use Plexiglas to keep the weight down. Get advice from a local framer on fitting the piece if you do that yourself. If the piece is valuable/signed/a limited edition, I'd make sure to have it fit by a pro.. they'll use acid free materials and make sure there's a spacer keeping the glass off the print.
i hope this helps a little.. Feel free to write again with any more questions, and if I was redundant or gave too much info, please forgive me!
Best of luck with your project!
Sara
