The Best Way to Frame a Picture With Glass or Plexiglass

Use a tape measure and T-square to determine the length and width of the picture to be framed. Add a border offset (addition) to both of those measurements: one and a half inches for objects 12 inches or less in width; three inches for objects 24 inches or less; four and a half inches for objects 36 inches or less; and six inches for objects 48 inches or less. For example, an 18-inch wide print would have an offset width of 21 inches (18 plus three).

Use a permanent marker to mark the offset dimensions of the artwork to be framed on a piece of gator board. Be sure to draw the lines with a straightedge. Repeat the marking process on a sheet of Plexiglas acrylic sheet.

Start at one corner of the marked piece of gator board and make two marks on the boundary lines, each six inches from the corner, on the lines extending from it. Use a straightedge to connect the marks. Use a T-square to draw a line from that corner to and perpendicular to the connecting line. Do this on all four corners.

Use a circular saw to cut the gator board and the acrylic sheet at the offset boundary lines. Acrylic sheets should be scored with a utility knife before cutting with a saw.

Attach four strips of vinyl floor tape, using one-, two-, three- or four-inch tape for object widths of 12, 24, 36 or 48 inches, respectively. Attach the top and bottom strips first and the sides strips last. The side strips should fully overlap the top and bottom strips. Trim the edges with an X-acto knife.

Use a T-square and a single-edged razor blade to make a cut at each corner. Line up the T-square connecting the corner point and the intersection point of the perpendicular line and that corner's connecting line. Cut through both thicknesses of the tape. Carefully pull away the cut piece of tape which overlays the other piece, leaving a 45-degree mitered corner. Do this at all four corners.

Place the artwork or print face down on a work surface and apply a thin coat of polystyrene adhesive with a paintbrush. Be careful not to get closer than one-half inch from the edges.

Place the object on the gator board with equidistant border overlapping on the vinyl tape at all four sides of the object. Correctly measured offset dimensions will guarantee that the object will overlap the tape on all four sides. Use a rolling pin in vertical passes to firmly attach the object to the board.

Use a small paintbrush to apply a thin but liberal coat of superglue to the center surface of the vinyl tape that frames the object. The glue should not be closer than one-quarter inch from the edges of the vinyl tape.

Carefully place the Plexiglas acrylic sheet over the framed object and press down firmly all along the four edges of the object. Place another flat object on its surface and heavy books or phone books on that. Allow the piece to dry for 24 hours. Attach your preference of hanging wire to the back of the piece. This varies depending on size and taste.