Floating acrylic photograph frames bring an artsy museum-like elegance to even the most normal spaces. In some cases referred to as plexiglass frames or frameless photograph frames, these frames are my best choice for exhibiting special art prints and even posters. And they&rsquore a terrific option to conventional photograph gallery partitions.
Their barely-there appear is ethereal and crisp and really significant touch. The very best part is that acrylic image frames will function with any sort of decor from traditional to classic, to my individual most loved – global bohemian stylish.
But have you ever checked the rate of acrylic photo frames??? That attractive floating frame in the image down below will established you back again a sound $one hundred twenty bucks. For. A single. Frame. Yikes! Yep, following seeing related costs in other places, I knew accurately what I required to do. I wanted to dig deep to generate a lower-cost, large-conclusion wanting, Do it yourself floating acrylic body. The acrylic body tutorial you are about to examine is handy for any individual on the lookout for quick, affordable methods to improve the glimpse of their artwork selection at home.
Affiliate links may perhaps be included in this publish. This signifies that ought to you purchase a connected solution, I could get a compact commission, but at no supplemental cost to you. To go through read this .
What You&rsquoll Need
 
 Standoffs to mount your frames
 Acrylic sheets – 1 established of 2 for each body (hold reading for tips on wherever to locate them)
 A significant metal tent stake or nail (Tip: I located one particular at Ace Hardware for $one.50)
 4 spring clamps to maintain the acrylic in position although you work on it
 A drill for mounting the wall components
Where to Buy Acrylic Sheets to Make the Floating Frames
 
 
To my surprise, I discovered a selection of sites wherever I could obtain acrylic sheets and even acrylic frame kits. For instance, I discovered these ready-produced acrylic body kits on Etsy. Sad to say for me, the greatest measurement readily available was 11 x fourteen. My artwork measured eleven x seventeen. Because I wanted a 3&rdquo acrylic border all around the artwork, I required my frames to measure 14 x twenty. This would support me develop the illusion of massive parts of floating artwork.
 
Then I figured out that Home Depot sold significant acrylic sheets too. But $116 was a lot more than I desired to commit. In addition, I could never get a clear respond to on no matter if or not House Depot would minimize the acrylic sheet into to the measurements I wanted. Eventually, I settled on Ace Hardware, exactly where I purchased four eighteen&rdquox 24&rdquo acrylic sheets for $11.ninety nine each. Every single sheet is about the same thickness as a quarter inch piece of glass. Ace Hardware then cut the acrylic – cost-free of cost – into 2 sets of frames measuring 14×20. Et voila! Full charge with tax was just $fifty one.56.
 
Are the frames you need significantly smaller? If so, the deal will get even sweeter. Just talk to the Ace Components glass cutter if he has any remaining about acrylic from prior cuts that match your measurement. Ace Hardware will sell them to you for a fraction of the initial price tag. I did that when recreating this tutorial and only expended a mere $one.fifty for four 9 x 11 sheets. Ace is undoubtedly the put ya&rsquoll!
I know on the other hand that some truly cheap…ahem…frugal men and women will say "But Ola, I uncovered acrylic sheets even less costly at Pastime Foyer!". Allow the buyer beware though. Those people are tremendous slender, craft grade acrylic sheets and will never ever hold up more than time.
 
Now for the standoffs. Immediately after purchasing a established that was also tiny to make an influence, I settled on these fairly priced silver one/two&rdquo x four/5&rdquo wall mount standoff bolts. They come twenty to a pack.
How to &ldquoDrill&rdquo the Holes for the Acrylic Photograph Body
Drilling the holes to make your acrylic photo frames may possibly seem like a no-brainer to you, but it can get quite tricky. In actuality, not realizing much more about this very important step forced me to have to invest in much more acrylic because I ruined the first set. Abruptly the price range for my oh-so-cost-effective Do it yourself acrylic frames amplified by fifty percent. Ouch! Keep away from blunders by having to pay near awareness to these guidance.
You see, when drilling the holes for your standoffs you must drill very, very little by little, or the acrylic will crack. I&rsquom likely to display you how to steer clear of that scenario altogether. As a substitute of drilling the gap (like I did at initially), do the following:
DO NOT eliminate the protecting plastic from the body
Mark the places of your 4 holes on the very first piece of acrylic. Use your to start with piece as a template for the relaxation of the parts to make absolutely sure the holes are all line up.
Heat the large steel stake or nail about a hearth
This is A great deal, considerably less difficult than drilling the hole. Use a pair of vice grips to hold the steel stake in position, and to stay clear of burning yourself.
Pierce the place for the hole
Allow for the melted edges of the plastic to awesome. These ought to then snap proper producing a thoroughly clean hole for your standoff.
This is A lot, substantially less complicated than drilling the gap. Use a pair of vice grips to hold the metal stake in location, and to avoid burning oneself.
How to Set up Your Snazzy New Floating Wall Frames
Here is the least complicated way to set up your new frames:
Area one piece of all set-to-dangle acrylic sheet immediately on to the wall where by it will be hung
With your other hand, use a level to make certain the acrylic frame is straight
Your standoffs will commonly arrive with anchors. I strongly advocate utilizing them. You don&rsquot want to wake up in the center of the night to discover these fine thangs cracked and shattered on the floor do you? I didn&rsquot think you did. So you should use the anchors.
Anxious about putting far too many holes in the wall? Just fasten the two prime standoffs to the wall. Then connect the standoffs to the base holes of the body, but DO NOT fasten them to the wall. No one will be the wiser. I noticed this carried out at a lodge once and it blew me absent.
&mdash Ola
Congratulations! You&rsquove now made THE most effective, most cost-effective Do it yourself acrylic frames at any time. Now all you have to do is sit 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 hole and insert anchor
Sandwich your print or photo between 2 pieces of acrylic and thread the standoff through the holes to mount