Floating acrylic image frames carry an artsy museum-like elegance to even the most normal areas. From time to time referred to as plexiglass frames or frameless photograph frames, these frames are my prime selection for exhibiting special artwork prints and even posters. And they&rsquore a good substitute to traditional image gallery walls.
Their barely-there appear is airy and crisp and quite higher contact. The greatest aspect is that acrylic picture frames will operate with any sort of decor from classic to classic, to my personalized preferred – world wide bohemian chic.
But have you at any time checked the selling price of acrylic photo frames??? That lovely floating body in the graphic under will set you back a good $a hundred and twenty bucks. For. A single. Body. Yikes! Yep, just after observing identical rates in other places, I understood exactly what I necessary to do. I necessary to dig deep to develop a lower-price tag, high-stop searching, Do-it-yourself floating acrylic frame. The acrylic body tutorial you are about to read is helpful for any person wanting for effortless, very affordable techniques to up grade the appear of their artwork collection at household.
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What You&rsquoll Require
 
 Standoffs to mount your frames
 Acrylic sheets – One established of 2 for each frame (keep examining for thoughts on wherever to find them)
 A big metallic tent stake or nail (Tip: I uncovered 1 at Ace Components for $one.50)
 4 spring clamps to keep the acrylic in position whilst you perform on it
 A drill for mounting the wall hardware
Where by to Obtain Acrylic Sheets to Make the Floating Frames
 
 
To my surprise, I identified a number of places the place I could buy acrylic sheets and even acrylic body kits. For instance, I located these ready-created acrylic body kits on Etsy. Sad to say for me, the major measurement accessible was 11 x 14. My artwork measured 11 x seventeen. Considering that I preferred a 3&rdquo acrylic border all all-around the artwork, I necessary my frames to measure 14 x 20. This would support me develop the illusion of big parts of floating art.
 
Then I figured out that Home Depot sold significant acrylic sheets as well. But $116 was more than I needed to commit. Additionally, I could never get a clear remedy on no matter whether or not Home Depot would lower the acrylic sheet into to the dimensions I desired. Eventually, I settled on Ace Components, the place I obtained four 18&rdquox 24&rdquo acrylic sheets for $eleven.ninety nine each. Every single sheet is about the identical thickness as a quarter inch piece of glass. Ace Components then cut the acrylic – no cost of demand – into two sets of frames measuring 14×20. Et voila! Overall price tag with tax was just $fifty one.fifty six.
 
Are the frames you will need drastically scaled-down? If so, the offer will get even sweeter. Just inquire the Ace Components glass cutter if he has any left over acrylic from earlier cuts that match your dimension. Ace Hardware will offer them to you for a fraction of the original expense. I did that when recreating this tutorial and only invested a mere $one.fifty for four 9 x 11 sheets. Ace is unquestionably the put ya&rsquoll!
I know having said that that some actually inexpensive…ahem…frugal men and women will say "But Ola, I identified acrylic sheets even less expensive at Passion Foyer!". Permit the customer beware though. Individuals are super slim, craft grade acrylic sheets and will by no means maintain up in excess of time.
 
Now for the standoffs. Just after purchasing a set that was also compact to make an impression, I settled on these reasonably priced silver 1/2&rdquo x 4/5&rdquo wall mount standoff bolts. They come twenty to a pack.
How to &ldquoDrill&rdquo the Holes for the Acrylic Picture Body
Drilling the holes to make your acrylic photo frames may audio like a no-brainer to you, but it can get quite difficult. In truth, not figuring out a lot more about this vital action forced me to have to get more acrylic since I ruined the initially set. Suddenly the finances for my oh-so-reasonably priced Do it yourself acrylic frames enhanced by 50 p.c. Ouch! Prevent mistakes by having to pay shut notice to these directions.
You see, when drilling the holes for your standoffs you should drill extremely, really gradually, or the acrylic will crack. I&rsquom likely to present you how to avoid that predicament altogether. As a substitute of drilling the hole (like I did at initially), do the adhering to:
DO NOT take out the protective plastic from the frame
Mark the locations of your four holes on the initially piece of acrylic. Use your first piece as a template for the relaxation of the pieces to make absolutely sure the holes are all line up.
Warmth the massive steel stake or nail around a hearth
This is Considerably, a lot less complicated than drilling the hole. Use a pair of vice grips to keep the metallic stake in location, and to avoid burning by yourself.
Pierce the locale for the gap
Permit the melted edges of the plastic to cool. These should then snap suitable creating a clean hole for your standoff.
This is Considerably, a great deal less difficult than drilling the hole. Use a pair of vice grips to maintain the steel stake in put, and to steer clear of burning by yourself.
How to Install Your Snazzy New Floating Wall Frames
Right here is the least difficult way to install your new frames:
Area just one piece of completely ready-to-hold acrylic sheet immediately on to the wall in which it will be hung
With your other hand, use a level to make guaranteed the acrylic frame is straight
Your standoffs will usually arrive with anchors. I strongly recommend working with them. You don&rsquot want to wake up in the center of the evening to uncover these high-quality thangs cracked and shattered on the flooring do you? I didn&rsquot imagine you did. So make sure you use the anchors.
Concerned about putting far too numerous holes in the wall? Just fasten the two top standoffs to the wall. Then connect the standoffs to the bottom holes of the frame, but DO NOT fasten them to the wall. No one particular will be the wiser. I noticed this performed at a hotel when and it blew me away.
&mdash Ola
Congratulations! You&rsquove now developed THE best, most cost-effective Diy acrylic frames ever. Now all you have to do is sit back and love your freshly produced chef d&rsquooeuvre (masterpiece).
Use a pen/pencil to mark the location of the holes instantly on to the wall
Drill gap and insert anchor
Sandwich your print or picture among 2 items of acrylic and thread the standoff through the holes to mount