Floating acrylic image frames carry an artsy museum-like elegance to even the most standard areas. At times referred to as plexiglass frames or frameless photo frames, these frames are my prime option for displaying special art prints and even posters. And they&rsquore a good different to classic image gallery walls.
Their hardly-there look is airy and crisp and quite substantial contact. The best element is that acrylic image frames will operate with any form of decor from classic to vintage, to my own preferred – world-wide bohemian chic.
But have you at any time checked the rate of acrylic picture frames??? That beautiful floating frame in the impression under will established you back again a stable $a hundred and twenty bucks. For. A single. Frame. Yikes! Yep, immediately after looking at identical prices in other places, I realized particularly what I essential to do. I necessary to dig deep to build a lower-price, substantial-conclude seeking, Do it yourself floating acrylic frame. The acrylic body tutorial you are about to study is valuable for any one wanting for easy, economical ways to up grade the search of their art collection at residence.
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What You&rsquoll Require
 
 Standoffs to mount your frames
 Acrylic sheets – A person established of 2 for each and every body (hold studying for ideas on where by to uncover them)
 A significant steel tent stake or nail (Suggestion: I uncovered one at Ace Hardware for $one.50)
 4 spring clamps to hold the acrylic in spot when you do the job on it
 A drill for mounting the wall components
Exactly where to Buy Acrylic Sheets to Make the Floating Frames
 
 
To my surprise, I observed a amount of destinations where by I could buy acrylic sheets and even acrylic frame kits. For instance, I located these ready-created acrylic frame kits on Etsy. Sadly for me, the largest measurement accessible was 11 x 14. My artwork measured eleven x seventeen. Because I wished a three&rdquo acrylic border all close to the artwork, I desired my frames to evaluate fourteen x twenty. This would enable me generate the illusion of massive parts of floating art.
 
Then I realized that Home Depot sold large acrylic sheets way too. But $116 was a lot more than I wished to spend. Furthermore, I could hardly ever get a crystal clear respond to on no matter if or not Residence Depot would minimize the acrylic sheet into to the dimensions I wanted. Ultimately, I settled on Ace Components, exactly where I procured 4 eighteen&rdquox 24&rdquo acrylic sheets for $11.ninety nine every. Every sheet is about the exact same thickness as a quarter inch piece of glass. Ace Hardware then reduce the acrylic – cost-free of demand – into 2 sets of frames measuring 14×20. Et voila! Total charge with tax was just $51.fifty six.
 
Are the frames you want drastically smaller? If so, the deal gets even sweeter. Just talk to the Ace Components glass cutter if he has any remaining above acrylic from preceding cuts that match your measurement. Ace Hardware will offer them to you for a fraction of the first charge. I did that when recreating this tutorial and only put in a mere $1.fifty for four nine x 11 sheets. Ace is definitely the spot ya&rsquoll!
I know nonetheless that some truly inexpensive…ahem…frugal men and women will say "But Ola, I discovered acrylic sheets even cheaper at Interest Lobby!". Permit the purchaser beware even though. Those people are tremendous slim, craft grade acrylic sheets and will never ever maintain up in excess of time.
 
Now for the standoffs. Soon after ordering a set that was much too compact to make an affect, I settled on these reasonably priced silver one/2&rdquo x 4/5&rdquo wall mount standoff bolts. They appear twenty to a pack.
How to &ldquoDrill&rdquo the Holes for the Acrylic Image Body
Drilling the holes to make your acrylic photo frames might sound like a no-brainer to you, but it can get fairly tough. In fact, not recognizing extra about this important stage compelled me to have to invest in much more acrylic mainly because I ruined the initial set. Out of More hints for my oh-so-reasonably priced Diy acrylic frames increased by fifty percent. Ouch! Keep away from problems by paying out close attention to these guidance.
You see, when drilling the holes for your standoffs you ought to drill really, quite slowly but surely, or the acrylic will crack. I&rsquom going to show you how to stay clear of that condition completely. In its place of drilling the gap (like I did at first), do the pursuing:
DO NOT get rid of the protecting plastic from the body
Mark the spots of your 4 holes on the to start with piece of acrylic. Use your very first piece as a template for the relaxation of the pieces to make certain the holes are all line up.
Warmth the huge metal stake or nail more than a fire
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 prevent burning you.
Pierce the site for the hole
Allow for the melted edges of the plastic to amazing. These really should then snap right making a clean hole for your standoff.
This is Much, considerably simpler than drilling the gap. Use a pair of vice grips to maintain the steel stake in spot, and to avoid burning by yourself.
How to Put in Your Snazzy New Floating Wall Frames
Below is the easiest way to put in your new frames:
Location a person piece of completely ready-to-hold acrylic sheet specifically onto the wall where by it will be hung
With your other hand, use a amount to make certain the acrylic frame is straight
Your standoffs will ordinarily appear with anchors. I strongly propose applying them. You don&rsquot want to wake up in the middle of the evening to uncover these great thangs cracked and shattered on the floor do you? I didn&rsquot think you did. So remember to use the anchors.
Concerned about placing way too numerous holes in the wall? Just fasten the two prime standoffs to the wall. Then connect the standoffs to the bottom holes of the body, but DO NOT fasten them to the wall. No just one will be the wiser. I saw this finished at a resort after and it blew me away.
&mdash Ola
Congratulations! You&rsquove now developed THE best, most affordable Diy acrylic frames ever. Now all you have to do is sit back and delight in your freshly established chef d&rsquooeuvre (masterpiece).
Use a pen/pencil to mark the place of the holes instantly on to the wall
Drill hole and insert anchor
Sandwich your print or image concerning 2 pieces of acrylic and thread the standoff by the holes to mount