So you've spent the last few weeks (months) working on your Diamond Painting masterpiece. Now that it's finished, one question remains:
"How do I display this thing?"
People need to see your stunning artwork!
Fortunately, there are many different options when it comes to displaying a diamond painting, depending on your budget and willingness to get crafty!
Based on our personal experience and feedback from our wonderful customers, we've created a ranking of the 7 best display ideas for your finished kit.
Quick note on sealing your kit: As a rule of thumb, if your finished painting fits tightly behind the glass or plastic in your frame, there's no need to seal your kit. If you're using a method that exposes your diamonds to the air, you'll want to consider sealing it before mounting.
7. Glue Your Diamond Painting To A Blank Pre-Stretched Canvas
Budget: Medium
Difficulty: Low
This strategy involves buying a pre-stretched canvas from your favorite craft store (or Amazon) and simply gluing your finished canvas onto it. The hard part is already done for you - no stretching or stapling necessary!
Use a spray adhesive on BOTH the back of the painting and the blank canvas. When the glue feels sticky to the touch, place the painting carefully on the canvas, smoothing it down as you go and removing any wrinkles or bubbles. Let dry for 24 hours and you're good to hang!
Pro Tip: Find the proper fit for your painting by measuring the canvas after you've already cut off the borders. If you don't want a large border, buy a canvas as close to the measured size as possible.
6. Apply Stretcher Bars To Your Finished Canvas
Budget: Low
Difficulty: Medium
For more of a DIY approach to mounting, grab yourself a set of Stretcher Bars. The instructions are super easy to follow and result in a beautiful display with some added depth.
For more details on using Stretcher Bars, check out our handy guide.
Pro Tip: Be sure to buy a size about 5 cm shorter than the canvas so that you have room to wrap. We love the cool effect of seeing the diamonds wrapped around the borders!
5. Mount Your Painting To A Foam Board Or Cardboard
Budget: Low
Difficulty: Medium
This technique involves a bit of measuring and cutting. Head down to your local craft shop (or Amazon) and find yourself a foam board.
To create a flat, borderless painting, use box cutters to cut the foam board down to the same size as your canvas (not including the canvas border). Then simply glue your painting to the foam, making sure it's centered with only the borders hanging off.
Fold the borders over the back of the foam board and glue the firmly down, making sure the canvas is tight to the foam board.
Pro Tip: Cut a border for your painting from oak tag before mounting it to your foam board for a more 'framed' look. Alternatively, jazz up your border with some colorful washi tape and just tape your canvas right onto the board.
4. Use A Poster Frame To Present Your Work
Budget: Medium
Difficulty: Easy
For a less DIY approach and more professional look, consider grabbing a standard poster frame from your local craft or hobby store.
Poster frames are perfect for framing large diamond paintings. They can be purchased in Walmart or Target for under $25. Just open the frame and place your diamond painting behind the plastic (poster frames are plastic - not glass).
Be sure to flip the insert around and put it behind your painting before you put the back on so that any exposed borders will be solid white. Put the back on and you are good to go!
3. Find Frames At Your Nearest Thrift Shop
Budget: Low
Difficulty: Easy
Who knows what ornate frames are hiding at your local thrift shop! Do some treasure hunting to find beautiful, affordable secondhand frames that match the size of your diamond painting.
2. Have Your Painting Professionally Mounted And Framed
Budget: High
Difficulty: Easy
Sit back, relax, and let the experts worry about it! Large craft stores have a whole section dedicated to mounting paintings, including diamond paintings. You can hand pick your frame and matte from an enormous array of colors and wood designs.
Because this option might be on the pricier side, be sure to look for coupons online. Michael's routinely offers 20-70% off coupons.
1. Buy A Traditional Picture / Photo Frame
Budget: Low-Medium
Difficulty: Medium
At the end of the day, you can't go wrong with a standard photo frame. When it comes to quality and price, we recommend IKEA which has a huge selection of designs ranging from classic to modern.
Pro Tip: Buy a frame that is closest to the size of your painting. Simply cut the matte with a utility knife and a ruler. Be sure that you are cutting straight! Measure in three places (ends and middle) and mark before you cut.
Some Tips And Advice
1. Although all of our suggestions provide wall to wall framing for your painting, you can choose to fill in any blank space on the top, sides or bottom with small photographs that are relevant to you painting, especially if it is a custom.
2. You can turn all options, especially the "do it yourself" ones into hanging frames by attaching a ribbon or rope to the frame.
3. No matter which option you choose, including (and especially) store bought frames, ALWAYS glue the painting to the back of the frame to prevent slippage. Diamond paintings are heavy and will start to fall inside of the frame with no glue or double sided tape.
4. If you're using foam or cardboard to mount your kit, consider using Velcro strips along the top and sides of the back to affix it to the wall.
So there you have it! 7 amazing ways to frame your PWD.
Have you tried displaying your finished diamond paintings? Let us know about your experience in the comments down below!
Comments
Marilyn Maxwell said:
I did the large (19.7X27.6Inch) Wolf with Weapon & dreamcatcher – let me say it turned out fantastic. I made the eyes golden-brown to match my own wolf. I used the poster frame did double matting with construction paper and glued the back of the canvas. First time I didn’t realize that it had to be glued and yes, it slipped.
October 06, 2019
G. Gilbertson said:
I stretch the picture over a piece of 1/8” plywood and staple it in place. Then i made a frame to fit the picture and mount it in the frame. So far I have made three this way .
October 06, 2019
Nina Thompson said:
Thanks so much so these tips. I will definitely be using some of these tips.
October 06, 2019
Frances said:
I think that this was great. I have completed several small DP’s and I am now working on 2 large ones. I now know how I will be framing them.
Thank you these tips.
October 06, 2019
Alice E Sanders said:
I have bought frames at yard sales and covered them with fabric
October 06, 2019
Debbie Simmons said:
Some of the pictures are odd sizes. For instance 10 × 10. Where do you find frames that are inexpensive?
October 06, 2019
Leah McGrew said:
I got a premade frame 12×12 (I had smaller kits.) I got Hobby Lobby to measure and cut mat board to fit the pieces (I was framing 2.) I then took them home, went outside because at the time the only place to work inside was where the cats were, and taped the pieces to the mat board. Then I inserted the work in the frame. I let my wife gift one to her therapist and the other is hung in my kitchen/hallway. I want to take a few others and repeat, I have a few empty spots I could hang things from.
October 06, 2019
maureen sheather said:
i have mine in a frame with glass brought from a bargain shop we have here in Australia for &7.99 30×40 very pleased with it
October 06, 2019
Michelle Harker said:
I purchase frameless frames that are called clip frames. You can order in any size and they are priced really well at some online stores. I use Quadro frames (www.quadroframes.biz) and then click on the clip frames option. You can purchase them in poly, glass, etc. It allows the entire painting to show with no real “border”. Which is especially great when you have a unique painting were a frame would ruin it (such as it has a “fake diamond painting frame”.
October 06, 2019
Lynn Anderson said:
I buy the snap front frames from michaels, etc and border them with a good color by mounting the diamond painting on construction paper. I roll up a bit of tape and anchor the corners and middle and snap the glass right in and voila’ ready to hang
October 06, 2019