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How to Attach and Hang Pictures with Wire
This article was written by David Julien
and by wikiHow staff writer, Devin McSween
. David Julien is a DIY Specialist and the Principal Owner at Nice DIY based in Quebec, Canada. David specializes in creating plans to make unique, affordable, and modern home furnishings. He holds a BA in Graphic Design from the University of Quebec Outaouais. Nice DIY uses sustainable and high-quality materials to create products that are simple to make for everyone.
There are 9 references
cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
This article has been viewed 131,466 times.
Hanging your artwork with wire is one of the best ways to keep it secure and straight on your wall. If you’re not sure how to wire your artwork’s frame, the great news is that it’s super easy to do. In this article, we’ll show you what hanging hardware to use, how to install the hardware and wire, and how to hang up your artwork. Read on to learn how!
This article is based on an interview with our DIY specialist, David Julien, principal owner at Nice DIY. Check out the full interview here.
Steps
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Use D-ring hangers to wire and hang your artwork; these hangers are specifically constructed to hang small, medium, and large wooden frames. Then, select a metal wire with a break weight that's greater than the weight of your artwork.
- D-rings that have more than 1 screw hole typically hold up heavier frames.
- Use braided wire to hold up to 36 pounds (16 kg).
- Choose stainless steel wire to hold up to 100 pounds (45 kg).
- Select vinyl-coated wire to hold up to 60 pounds (27 kg).
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Use your tape measure to find the length of the frame and divide the length by 3. Then, use your answer to measure down from the top of the frame and make a mark on the right and left sides of the frame. [1] X Research source
- For example, if your frame is 21 inches (53.3 cm) long, make a mark for your D-rings 7 inches (17.8 cm) down from the top of the frame.
- Protect your artwork while you’re working by laying it face down on a sheet, towel, or other soft material.
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Place your D-rings flat side down on the marks you made with the rings facing inwards toward the center of the frame. Then, align the rings so they’re straight across from each other and ½ inch (1.3 cm) from the frame’s edges. Angle each ring upwards at a 45° angle and screw each piece into the frame with a screwdriver or drill. [2] X Research source
- Make a pilot hole at the hardware points with a nail, awl, or drill before you screw the hardware in to make it easier.
- Most hardware sets come with screws.
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Use a measuring tape the find the width of your frame. Then, snip off a section of wire that’s double the frame’s width. Loop the wire up through the left ring and cross it under itself. Push about 3 to 4 inches (7.6-10 cm) of the wire up through the left D-ring. Then, wrap it over the ring and cross it under the wire. [3] X Research source
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Take the end of the wire and push it back down through the left D-ring to create a slip-knot. To secure the knot, twist the remaining wire around itself on top of the knot. [4] X Research source
- Feel free to coil the entire remaining wire, or wrap it above the knot 4 to 5 times and then snip off the excess.
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Pull the other end of the wire over to the right D-ring and hold it taut. Then, use your finger to pull up on the wire in the middle of the frame to add slack to the wire. Just adjust the wire’s tautness until the wire rests 1 to 2 inches (2.5-5 cm) below the top of the frame. [5] X Research source
- Adding slack to the wire eases the tension on the wire and rings. It also helps your artwork hang more level.
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To secure the wire to the right D-ring, follow the same steps as the left D-ring. Just push the wire up through the right D-ring, wrap it over the ring, and cross it under itself. Then, pull the wire down through the ring and coil the excess wire over the knot. [6] X Research source
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Hold the frame up to the wall and decide where you want to hang it. When you find the spot, make a small mark on the wall at the top of the frame with a pencil. [7] X Expert Source David Julien
DIY Specialist Expert Interview. 20 January 2021.
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Face the back of your frame and pull the center of the wire straight up so that the wire is tight. Then, use a tape measure to find the distance from the very top of the frame to the wire. This ensures that your artwork rests on the wall where you want it to. [8] X Expert Source David Julien
DIY Specialist Expert Interview. 20 January 2021.
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Take the distance you measured from the top of the frame to the wire and measure down from the spot you marked for the frame on the wall. Make a mark on the wall at this point. [9] X Expert Source David Julien
DIY Specialist Expert Interview. 20 January 2021. Then, hold your picture hook over the mark and use a hammer to insert it inside the wall. [10] X Research source- Use a picture hook that’s made to hold up the weight of your artwork.
- If the artwork is heavy, either nail the hook into a wall stud or place an anchor in the wall. [11]
X
Expert Source
David Julien
DIY Specialist Expert Interview. 20 January 2021.
-
Lift your artwork up to the wall and hang the wire over the picture hook. Then, simply slide your artwork to the left or right over the hook until it sits straight and level. [12] X Research source
- Use a level to make sure your artwork is completely straight. Just put the level on top of the frame and adjust the artwork back and forth until the bubble is centered on the level.
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do I know where to put a nail for hanging artwork?David Julien is a DIY Specialist and the Principal Owner at Nice DIY based in Quebec, Canada. David specializes in creating plans to make unique, affordable, and modern home furnishings. He holds a BA in Graphic Design from the University of Quebec Outaouais. Nice DIY uses sustainable and high-quality materials to create products that are simple to make for everyone.Hold the artwork by the wire and measure with a tape measure from the top of the frame to the tensioned wire. Place the artwork in the desired location and mark the wall at the top center of the frame. Mark where to place your nail by starting from the mark you made, then measuring down the length of the last measurement you took.Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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Tips
Things You’ll Need
- D-rings
- Picture hanging wire
- Measuring tape
- Sheet or towel
- Awl or nail, optional
- Screwdriver or drill
- Wire cutters
- Pencil
- Picture hook
- Hammer
- Level, optional
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References
- ↑ https://youtu.be/mdU0B8ov2Z0?t=60
- ↑ https://youtu.be/1xqlzSXP59I?t=182
- ↑ https://youtu.be/mdU0B8ov2Z0?t=171
- ↑ https://youtu.be/mdU0B8ov2Z0?t=179
- ↑ https://youtu.be/mdU0B8ov2Z0?t=232
- ↑ https://youtu.be/mdU0B8ov2Z0?t=251
- ↑ David Julien. DIY Specialist. Expert Interview. 20 January 2021.
- ↑ David Julien. DIY Specialist. Expert Interview. 20 January 2021.
- ↑ David Julien. DIY Specialist. Expert Interview. 20 January 2021.
- ↑ https://youtu.be/oczGKwczQqA?t=137
- ↑ David Julien. DIY Specialist. Expert Interview. 20 January 2021.
- ↑ https://youtu.be/KFBPzc94KzY?t=146
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