Framing and Edging Options
Stretch Canvas
A stretch canvas frame is a wooden frame covered with fabric that is tightly pulled across the front to hold artwork in place. It’s a popular choice for displaying paintings and photographs. The canvas is wrapped around the stretcher bars and stapled to the wooden frame at the back, creating what is known as a 'Gallery Wrap Frame'.
These frames are easy to assemble and typically come with glue adhesion at the corners or with mortise and tenon or tongue and groove joints. If the frame is wider than 80cm, crossbars should be added to prevent sagging. This setup essentially creates a painter's canvas.
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Stretch canvas frames can be hung on their own or placed inside a floating or gallery frame for added detail. For diamond paintings, this process is typically done after the painting is complete, ensuring the artwork extends all the way to the edges. Stretch canvas frames are also highly customizable since they consist of four individual bars, allowing you to mix and match different sizes to create a unique canvas size.
Floating Frames
A floating frame for a canvas is a minimalist frame that surrounds the sides of the canvas without touching it, creating the illusion that the artwork is floating within the frame. This style is designed to highlight the artwork itself. The canvas is stretched over a wooden frame and secured with staples or tacks. A thin frame is then placed around the canvas, leaving a small gap between the frame and the canvas, attaching to the canvas to the frame at the back. This gap allows the entire artwork to be visible, not just the area covered by glass or a mat. The space between the frame and the canvas enhances the visual impact, allowing the viewer to fully appreciate the piece. Floating frames also leave the texture of the canvas exposed, as they don’t cover the image with glass, providing a more tactile and engaging viewing experience, with added touch of class.
Edging
Some people like to cut the corners of their completed diamond painting to allow the design to extend down the sides of the canvas, creating a Gallery Wrap frame. While this is a personal choice, if you prefer to keep the full artwork intact, I recommend bringing the diamond painting to the top of the canvas and using masking or washi tape that complements your project to give the canvas a polished finish.
A great way to frame or border your diamond painting is with Washi Tape or Masking Tape. Washi tape, made from rice paper, comes in a wide variety of colorful and unique designs. Often referred to as Japanese masking tape, it originated in Japan.
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Washi tape works wonderfully as a border around the edges of your canvas, whether you're leaving the canvas as-is with a stretcher frame, hanging it like a poster, or framing it behind glass. It's also a fantastic option for items like placemats, where a small border can help prevent the diamonds from rubbing against the edges.
Glass Frames
Glass frames are a timeless choice that offer protection for your artwork by keeping it safe from dust, dirt, and accidental touch. They have several advantages, including being scratch and scuff resistant, easy to clean, and almost completely transparent. However, glass frames can be heavy, particularly for larger prints and photos, and they are fragile and prone to damage. Additionally, they are not easily customizable and typically come in standard, popular sizes.
Hanging Frames
Magnetic poster frames are more than just a passing trend, they're a game-changer.
Combining ease of use, minimalist style, and a secure yet gentle grip, these frames are quickly becoming a preferred choice for displaying art. Magnetic poster hangers offer a sleek, functional design.
Made from materials like natural wood or eco-friendly composites, they feature two strips that clamp onto the top and bottom edges of your poster using strong yet gentle magnets. This provides a firm hold without damaging or creasing the paper. With their clean, contemporary aesthetic, whether it’s the timeless elegance of wood or the boldness of black and white the options are as varied as the artwork they display.