How to Make Picture Frames: The Art of Creating Beautiful Borders for Your Memories

I've been making picture frames for about fifteen years now, and I still remember the disaster that was my first attempt. The corners didn't meet properly, the glass was crooked, and the whole thing looked like it had been assembled by someone wearing mittens. But there's something deeply satisfying about creating the perfect frame for a cherished photograph or piece of art – it's like giving your memories a proper home.

Picture framing is one of those skills that seems deceptively simple until you actually try it. Sure, it's just four pieces of wood around a picture, right? Well, not quite. The craft involves precision, patience, and an understanding of how different materials work together. Over the years, I've learned that making frames is as much about problem-solving as it is about woodworking.

The Soul of a Frame

Before diving into the nuts and bolts, let's talk about what makes a frame work. A good frame doesn't shout for attention – it whispers. It should complement the artwork without overwhelming it, protect it from damage, and integrate seamlessly into your living space. I once spent three days agonizing over the frame for my grandmother's portrait, only to realize that the simplest option was the best. Sometimes less really is more.

The materials you choose tell a story. Reclaimed barn wood speaks of history and weathered beauty. Sleek metal suggests modernity and precision. Each choice affects not just the look but the entire character of what you're framing. I've seen people frame concert tickets in elaborate gilded frames (which looked ridiculous) and priceless paintings in simple pine (which looked perfect). Context matters enormously.

Getting Your Hands Dirty: Tools and Materials

You don't need a fully equipped workshop to start making frames, though after your fifth or sixth project, you'll probably want one. Here's what actually matters:

A miter saw is your best friend. Yes, you can use a miter box and hand saw – I did for years – but a powered miter saw will change your life. The precision it offers is worth every penny. That said, some of my favorite frames were cut with a $15 miter box from the hardware store.

For materials, start with softwood. Pine is forgiving, affordable, and takes stain beautifully. Hardwoods like oak or walnut are gorgeous but unforgiving to beginners. They'll punish every mistake, and trust me, you'll make mistakes. I still do.

You'll need wood glue, a tape measure, sandpaper (various grits), and some way to hold corners together while the glue dries. Corner clamps are ideal, but I've used everything from rubber bands to carefully balanced books in a pinch.

The Mathematics of Beauty

Here's where people usually mess up their first frames: the math. When you're calculating dimensions, you need to account for the rabbet – that's the groove where your glass, artwork, and backing sit. If your artwork is 8x10 inches, your frame opening needs to be slightly smaller to hold everything in place, typically by about 1/8 inch on each side.

I learned this the hard way when I made a frame for my sister's wedding photo. The photo kept falling through because I'd made the opening exactly 8x10. She still brings it up at family dinners.

The width of your frame molding affects the overall dimensions too. A 2-inch wide molding adds 4 inches to both the height and width of your finished frame. It sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people forget this when planning.

Cutting and Joining: Where Precision Meets Reality

Cutting perfect 45-degree angles is the holy grail of frame making. Even a fraction of a degree off, and your corners will have gaps that no amount of wood filler can disguise attractively. Set your saw carefully, test on scrap wood, and always cut your pieces in pairs – two sides, then top and bottom. This way, even if your angle is slightly off, opposite sides will match.

When I first started, I thought wood glue alone would hold everything together. It won't, not reliably. You need mechanical fasteners too. V-nails are the professional choice, but brad nails work fine for most projects. Some people swear by pocket screws for larger frames, though they're overkill for anything under 16x20 inches.

The joining process is where patience pays off. Apply glue sparingly – squeeze-out is messy and can ruin your finish. Align your corners carefully, checking with a square. Once those corners are joined, they're joined forever. Well, unless you want to start over, which I've done more times than I care to admit.

The Finishing Touch

Finishing is where your frame develops its personality. Raw wood can be beautiful, but it's vulnerable. A finish protects the wood and enhances its natural beauty. Stain penetrates the wood and brings out the grain. Paint covers everything and gives you complete control over color. Oil finishes provide a natural look and feel but require more maintenance.

I'm partial to Danish oil for most projects. It's forgiving, brings out the wood's character, and doesn't require special equipment. Just wipe it on, let it soak in, wipe off the excess. Three coats usually do the trick.

Whatever finish you choose, sand between coats. Start with 220 grit and work up to 320 or even 400 for a silk-smooth surface. Yes, it's tedious. Yes, it makes a huge difference. The frame you touch every day when you dust should feel as good as it looks.

Glass, Matting, and the Final Assembly

Regular glass works for most frames, but consider UV-protective glass for valuable pieces. It costs more but prevents fading. Acrylic is lighter and won't shatter, making it perfect for large frames or kids' rooms. Just remember it scratches more easily than glass.

Matting is an art unto itself. A good mat can make a $5 poster look like fine art, while a bad mat can cheapen anything. The general rule is that the bottom border should be slightly wider than the top and sides – it's an optical illusion thing that makes the image appear centered. I usually go with 3 inches on top and sides, 3.5 inches on the bottom.

Assembly is straightforward but requires attention to detail. Clean your glass thoroughly – fingerprints sealed inside a frame are there forever. Layer your components carefully: glass, mat, artwork, backing board. Some people add a dust cover on the back, which looks professional but isn't strictly necessary.

The Mistakes That Taught Me Everything

Let me tell you about my biggest framing disaster. I was making a frame for a friend's oil painting – a real piece of art, not a print. I measured wrong, cut all my pieces too short, and didn't realize until I was applying the final coat of finish. Twenty hours of work, wasted. But here's the thing: that mistake taught me to always measure twice, cut once, and keep the artwork handy during the entire process.

Another time, I tried to frame a piece of delicate rice paper artwork without proper mounting. The humidity in my workshop caused it to wrinkle overnight. Now I know: different materials require different handling. Photographs can handle some moisture, but works on paper need bone-dry conditions and proper mounting techniques.

Beyond the Basics

Once you've mastered basic frames, the possibilities expand dramatically. Shadow boxes for three-dimensional objects, multi-opening mats for photo collages, floating frames for double-sided artwork – each presents new challenges and opportunities.

I've made frames from driftwood collected on vacation, old fence posts from my grandfather's farm, even copper pipes from a plumbing project. The principles remain the same, but the character changes completely. That's the beauty of making your own frames – they can be as unique as what they hold.

The most rewarding project I ever completed was a series of frames for my daughter's artwork, progressing from her kindergarten finger paintings to her high school portfolio pieces. Each frame reflected her growth, from bright painted pine for the early years to sophisticated walnut for her mature work. Those frames tell a story beyond what they contain.

The Philosophy of Framing

Making frames has taught me patience in a way few other crafts have. You can't rush good joinery. You can't hurry glue drying. The wood has its own timeline, and fighting it only leads to frustration and inferior results.

There's also something profound about creating a boundary for beauty. A frame defines space, creates focus, and declares that what's inside matters. In our digital age, where images flicker past in endless streams, a physical frame makes a statement: this is worth stopping for, worth preserving, worth displaying.

Every frame I make carries a bit of intention. Who will see this? Where will it hang? What story does it tell? These questions matter as much as technical precision. A frame for a bathroom needs different treatment than one for a formal dining room. A child's artwork deserves as much care as a museum piece, just expressed differently.

Final Thoughts

Picture framing isn't just about woodworking or craftsmanship. It's about preservation, presentation, and respect for the images and memories we choose to display. Whether you're framing your child's first drawing or a valuable piece of art, the process remains an act of care.

Start simple. Make mistakes. Learn from them. Your first frame probably won't be perfect – mine certainly wasn't. But there's immense satisfaction in pointing to a beautifully framed picture on your wall and saying, "I made that frame." It's a skill that connects you to centuries of craftspeople who understood that sometimes the container is almost as important as the contents.

The next time you look at a framed picture, really look at the frame too. Notice how it guides your eye, how it creates a transition between the art and the wall, how it protects while displaying. Then go make one yourself. Your walls – and your memories – will thank you.

Authoritative Sources:

Collins, Michael. The Complete Guide to Picture Framing. Guild of Master Craftsman Publications, 2018.

Logan, Mat. Picture Framing: A Practical Guide from Basic to Baroque. Crowood Press, 2016.

Parks, Bob. Making Picture Frames in Wood. Sterling Publishing, 2019.

Rian, Jane. Professional Picture Framing for the Amateur. Watson-Guptill Publications, 2017.

Smith, Patricia. The Art of Picture Framing. North Light Books, 2020.