How to Make a Photo Frame

Co-authored by Peter Salerno

Last Updated: November 23, 2023 Fact Checked

Picture frames are a great way to show off your favorite pictures, but they can get expensive. Making them rather than buying them is the best way to get a nice frame that perfectly fits your picture without breaking your wallet. Frames make perfect gifts for loved ones, or keep them to adorn your own walls.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Using Cardboard or Construction Paper

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This will be the size of the frame. Depending on how wide you want it to be, make it a few inches bigger than the picture on each side. ^{[1]
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The rectangle’s size should be slightly smaller than the photo. ^{[2]
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Paint it all one color, or paint patterns and figures on the frame. You can also use markers, crayons, pens, or colored pencils to decorate the frame. ^{[3]
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Cut shapes out of paper -- stars, hearts, animals, letters, or symbols are just some ideas -- and glue them onto the frame.
Use cloth, buttons, beads, glitter, stickers, or anything else you can think of. Glue these decorations onto the frame in whatever patterns you like.
Cut a rectangle out of another piece of paper. This rectangle should be slightly smaller than the whole frame, so that it easily covers the center of the frame. ^{[4]
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Attach it firmly and smoothly on three sides, but make sure to leave one side open so that you can slide the picture in.
Slip it in through the side you left open on the back of the frame.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Using Popsicle Sticks

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You'll need six or seven large popsicle sticks for the best look, but you can also use smaller sticks. Cover them with washi tape or other patterned tape, or decorate them with markers, colored pencils, or paint.
Lay two sticks down vertically, about five inches apart, and glue a decorated stick horizontally across the top. Glue the next decorated stick adjacent to the first, being careful not to let any glue show through the crack. Continue until the two vertical sticks are completely hidden by the decorated sticks. ^{[5]
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Glue wooden shapes, beads, paper, buttons, ribbon, or anything else you like to the front of the frame. ^{[6]
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Smaller pictures work better for this frame -- using a wallet-sized photo leaves room for more decoration, making both the picture and the frame look good. Use glue, tape, or a push pin to attach your pictures to the frame. ^{[7]
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5
Add a magnet to the back. Glue a strong magnet to the back of the frame, centered horizontally and near the top, so that you can hang the picture on your fridge or anywhere else magnetic. ^{[8]
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- You can use a hook instead of a magnet if you prefer, but the small size and light weight of this frame makes it a perfect addition to your fridge or school locker.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Using Sticks or Twigs

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The number will depend on how thick you want the frame. They should be about a foot long and ¹ ⁄ ₄ to ¹ ⁄ ₂ inch (0.6 to 1.3 cm) in diameter. Choose sticks that are relatively straight and free of knobs, forks, or other unsightly features.
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Prepare the sticks. Make sure they're all the same length, about 11 inches (27.9 cm) long. Remove any leaves or branches. Wash the sticks if they're dirty. Then divide the sticks into four groups (of 1, 2, or 3), and lay each group of sticks out to form the frame, with one group of sticks along each side of the picture. ^{[9]
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- Lay the sticks in each group next to each other rather than bunched on top of each other to create a wider frame.
- Make sure your picture will fit in the rectangle at the center of the sticks you've laid out.
3
At one corner, lash the sticks together with twine. Use a hot glue gun to glue one end of the twine to the back of one corner of the frame (You can also use hot glue to initially fix sticks in batches together). Bring the twine diagonally across the front of the corner. Then bring it horizontally across the back of the intersection. Bring it diagonally across the front again -- this time it should fill in the other diagonal (so if the first time you went top right to bottom left, this time you'll go bottom right to top left). Wrap it across the back vertically this time. Again, wrap diagonally, and then horizontally, and then diagonally, and then vertically. At this point the front of the corner should show two wraps of the twine across each diagonal, so the twine should form a thick X. The back should have one wrap along each side of the intersection, so the twine in the back should form a thin square. Secure the end of the twine with hot glue. ^{[10]
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- Keep the sticks on each side flat and close together. Make sure the twine is tight throughout the knot so that the sides of the frame are secure.
- If you want to experiment with other looks, try any lash to tie the corners. Try out a square or diagonal lash, or experiment with one of your own.
- Repeat this for the other three corners. When finished, you should have a strong and secure frame.
Trim the photo to fit, if necessary. If you don't want to glue directly onto the photo, or if you want to be able to change the picture in the frame, glue a larger piece of paper to the back of the frame instead. Attach this piece of paper on three sides and slip the photo in through the gap on the last side. ^{[11]
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This piece of twine should be six to eight inches long, depending on the size of your frame. Attach it at each of the top two corners, again using a hot glue gun. You'll be able to hang the frame from this handle.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Using Wooden Slats or Square Dowels

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You'll be gluing the picture right onto the wooden frame. If you don't want to glue directly onto the picture, or if you want a border around the picture, mount it on, or simply tape it to, a piece of high-quality paper or cardstock.
Use thin wooden slats about an inch wide, or ¹ ⁄ ₄ to ¹ ⁄ ₂ inch (0.6 to 1.3 cm) square dowels. They should be about an inch longer than the width of the picture.
With the simplicity of this frame, staining the wood often looks best. However, you can also paint it a solid color or decorate it with paint if you want.
Center the picture horizontally, and make sure the wood is perfectly straight and level across the top. Glue the wood on top of the picture so that the picture is visible underneath. If you find that you have to cover too much of the picture, use another piece of paper under the picture and glue the wood to that instead.
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Attach string to the top piece of wood. Get a piece of string that you will use to hang the picture. It should be 8 to 12 inches (20.3 to 30.5 cm) long, depending on the size of your picture. Screw small hooks into the back of the wood about halfway between the edge of the picture and the edge of the wood. Tie the string onto these hooks.
- If you don't want to use hooks, simply hot glue the string to the wood. This will be secure enough, and it won't show from the front of the frame.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Using Old Magazines or Paper

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1
Buy or make a basic frame. Cut out a piece of cardboard as big as you want the frame to be, and cut out an opening in the middle for your picture. The frame can be as simple or creative as you want - go for the basic rectangle, or cut a large base with windows for two or three different pictures. Add construction paper over the back of each picture window to hold your pictures. Glue the paper on three sides so that you can slide pictures in and out of the frame.
- You can also buy a simple wooden frame if you don't want to make one.
The colors and gloss of magazines make them perfect for this frame, but you can also use old newspaper, cardboard paper, or any other scratch paper you have lying around.
If you're using magazine pages, simply cut each page in half lengthwise. If you're using newspaper, cut strips about four inches wide and ten inches long.
4
Use a wooden dowel or skewer to roll a strip of paper into a tube. Place the dowel at one corner of the paper, at just more than a 45 degree angle to the page. Roll the corner of the paper around the wooden dowel. Keeping the paper tight, use the dowel to roll the paper into a tube.
- As you roll, the edges of the dowel will be covered by the paper. Don't lose them, as this will make it harder to get the dowel out of the tube. Simply slide the dowel to one side to make sure you always have enough of a handle sticking out of the rolled paper.
You can simply put a drop of glue on the opposite corner from where you started; this will hold the whole tube together. However, if you later cut the tube, you risk cutting off the glued part and unraveling the tube. To prevent this, put glue on the whole outer edge of the tube. This way, it will stay rolled no matter when or how you cut it.
You'll need more than you think, so make sure you roll plenty of tubes before proceeding.
You can use another glue to hold the paper tubes in place, but Mod Podge tends to be effective, secure, and easy to work with, so it's a great option for this frame.
This will give the edges a clean, smooth look and feel, and you won't have to worry about perfectly trimming the ends of the other tubes.
9
Fill in the frame with tubes. Cut tubes down to size before you attach them, or trim them to fit as you put them in place. For a simple frame, lay all tubes vertically on the frame, one right next to another. This will create a simple, classic look.
- Experiment with laying the tubes diagonally or perpendicular to each other, or even use them to create patterns. For example, add a small square of tubes rotated 45 degrees from the rest to create a diamond in the middle of your frame. Bend the tubes to create corners, or let them stick off the edge of the frame. Get creative -- the layout of the tubes will define the look and feel of your frame.
- Make sure to place the tubes tightly together so that there are no gaps or holes in the frame.
When you've finished filling in the frame with tubes, a layer of the matte will act as a glue to keep them together and in place. It will also provide a shell covering that will strengthen the frame and keep it crisp and glossy.
Once the matte has completely dried, slip your pictures into the frame.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How do you choose the right frame style for a photo?

Peter Salerno
Installation Expert
Peter Salerno is the owner of Hook it Up Installation, a professional installation company, which has been hanging art and other objects around Chicago, Illinois for over 10 years. Peter also has over 20 years of experience installing art and other mountable objects in residential, commercial, healthcare and hospitality contexts.

Peter Salerno

Installation Expert

Expert Answer

It depends on the image. I think you should frame to match the image, rather than the rest of the furniture and decor where you'll be hanging it up. Go with something that really accentuates the image.

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What is "construction paper"?

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Construction paper is also known as chart paper if you are in an Asian country or posterboard if you are in Australia. It's a thick colored paper.

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What is a wooden dowel?

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A wooden dowel is a thin rod made of wood. I don't think a wooden dowel would be very helpful in making a picture frame. I would use Popsicle sticks, pieces of wood, or paper instead.

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Tips

You can look at some reference books. They might be useful in providing you with some ideas.

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Measure your picture before making your frame to ensure it'll fit inside.

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Be careful when you use scissors or knife. They could hurt you.

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How to Make a Photo Frame

Steps

Using Cardboard or Construction Paper

Using Popsicle Sticks

Using Sticks or Twigs

Using Wooden Slats or Square Dowels

Using Old Magazines or Paper

Expert Q&A

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Tips

Tips from our Readers

Warnings

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