An unframed artwork tutorial- saving tons of money compared to custom framing!

Hey guys!  Remember in my master bedroom reveal I said that one of my art prints ended up being the wrong size for framing?  It was just as well, because I had been undecided on whether to frame that print anyway.  When I am planning on just leaning artwork, I really love the look of art that is matted, but unframed.  Today I’m sharing my unframed artwork tutorial, or, how I saved tons of money compared to custom framing!

This is one of the easiest, least expensive projects ever!

Project supply list-

*Affiliate links included- disclosures here

Mod Podge

Foam brush (I couldn’t find mine and ended up using a Magic Eraser- it worked!)

Craft board of two different sizes- I bought Elmer’s Presentation Board

Box cutter

Velcro, or another hook and loop fastener

The art that you are working with

The tutorial, step by step

Step 1

Obtain your artwork.   I got mine from Jenny’s Print Shop.  It’s called Ferris.

 

Step 2

Print it out.  I wanted mine to be larger than what I am capable of printing at home (plus, my printer doesn’t print very high quality prints) so I had mine printed at a local print shop.

Unfortunately, they printed it with white strips on either side.  Oops.  I had to cut those white strips off of the sides of my print before I could proceed to step 3, but hopefully you won’t have to do that (I just used the box cutter).

Step 3

Next, figure out where you want your print to be centered on the smaller of your two craft boards.  I did center mine right in the middle of my craft board, but I also like the look of off centered art as well- you should consider your artwork and how it will look in the room.

Once you figure out exactly where you want your print to go, lay it out in the exact placement on the craft board, and use your box cutter to make a super faint outline on the craft board.  Don’t use a pen for this, because the Mod Podge may smear it.

 

Step 4

Remove your artwork to the side.  You can see here where I outlined where my print is going with the box cutter.  Pour the Mod Podge onto the craft board into the area outlined that your print will go.

 

 

And smear around until there is a thin layer:

 

Make sure you get the edges!  Although, I have to say, I deliberately missed a couple because I wanted a kind of “non-perfect” look.  But, if you want a more finished look, be sure that you hit every edge so your artwork adheres.

I haven’t worked with Mod Podge that much, and I really underestimated how much it would take, and also how fast it dries.  I kept having to add more and more.

Step 5

Add your artwork and place it exactly where you marked your lines.

 

You’ll notice some bubbles and wrinkles in it, but those are easy to work out.  Just start from the middle and smooth, smooth, smooth.  They’ll work out pretty quickly.

See? Piece o’cake! 🙂

I did not add another layer of Mod Podge on top because I was pretty happy with it as is, but I guess you could if you wanted to.

Step 6

Here’s where we add the backing, which really kicks this up a notch.  It’s so easy you won’t believe it.

The secret is- Velcro.  Velcro is what holds the larger craft board to the smaller one, and also gives it dimension.

 

Here’s what you do.  Just cut the Velcro to size, stick the pieces together (both the hook and the loop), then peel the backing off of both sides.

 

Then, attach the Velcro to the smaller of the craft boards at the top and the bottom of the board, the one that now has the artwork on it.  Determine where you want your placement on the larger craft board to be.  Once you figure that out, place the smaller craft board on the larger craft board- and place firmly!

You now have an original way to display your artwork that is much more affordable than custom framing!

 

 

 

 

It would be super easy to attach picture hangers on these if you wanted to hang these as well, but I really love this look for art ledges. BTW- Here’s the tutorial for the leather strap shelves (so dang cute!)