How to Make Floating Picture Frames

This style frame is called a “Floating frame” and it’s a really handy thing to know if you have a wood shop and want to make frames for clients, or friends. I worked at a frame shop for a number of years, and these were always my favorite style frame. They really class up a painting without calling attention to themselves. It also helps protect works on canvas from damage since the frames doesn’t make contact with the artwork.
Hopefully you all find the video helpful!
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[@tophat2115]

You've convinced me to hire a wood worker to do this for me!

[@KariAppleseed]

Same.

[@jkafie]

Agree!!!!

[@michaelsimmons4883]

No. no. NO. Buy $2k of saws, accessories, and gear. Screw it up a couple times (like I have). ...and think, he makes it look so easy, maybe I should try again.

[@toppcatt5113]

its gonna cost you a lot.

[@coltonprivett5221]

@@michaelsimmons4883 you should definitely try again 🙂

[@ikeasnilleswivelchair29]

Anyone else watch woodworking videos despite having almost no form of workshop

[@deboram.8474]

Hahahaha yes me. Not sure how I ended up here hahahahahaha

[@charliemcdermott301]

My wife says I just watch them and don't do the woodwork

[@myruffleddreams1906]

I i have the shop but lack the ambition

[@barbaramoss6413]

Fer sure!

[@m-well6843]

Yep

[@1mmafrka]

As a painter this seems like a daunting task. Excellent work.

[@MichaelAlm]

It can be very handy to add some woodworking skills in when your a painter. This probably isn't the best place to start, but it's a good thing to work up to. John Peters has some great frame making videos that are more DIY friendly.

[@andreaandrea6716]

@@MichaelAlm You are so kind!!

[@codyowen5070]

Completely in your element, making art to hold art

[@deannfrey3469]

Beautiful work. The frames are a work of art on their own.

[@Erin_Wilson_Studios]

The results are so beautiful, and really allows the art to shine. Nicely done.

[@claclako]

It's so therapeutic to watch you work. Love how thorough your explanations are!

[@nightloon2590]

By far the most thorough video we’ve found on building a quality floating frame. Thank you

[@wendysanchez403]

Huh, that's a lot of work. I hope people can appreciate your time and compensation is equal or more for your talent! Beautiful

[@matchstickdesignco]

I almost had a heart attack when you slapped that black paint on the walnut. I thought to myself - WHHHYYYYYYYYY would anyone do that?!? Of course, after seeing the finished product, it looks fantastic. I really wasn't expecting such a great result; I just assumed that the paint would completely cover the grain.

[@MichaelAlm]

I know, it's surprising! Sometimes stain can look good 😉

[@freudhamalia1791]

I wanted to comment , then i saw your comment and decided to watch all the video. And no. Black killed all the warmth that comes in mixed light and dark shades on his fine grain. Now it is just a frame that could have been made out of....pine and black paint.

[@robthejones]

One week to dry!!!

[@mariuszota]

I thought the same. :)) But it looks really slick. ;)

[@omariomariomario1194]

@@freudhamalia1791 if it was done with pine and black paint it would look cheap.

[@karolenicholson3808]

This video is so well done, thank you for sharing your process, you are a true craftsman/artist!

[@smudgybuzz]

Having watched a couple of theses videos now, I appreciate the structural integrity of the frames you made: splines, a ledge to hold the strainer, and pocket screws for the strainer. The other ones are held entirely with glue.

[@martywilsonlife]

Exceptional! Having been a custom framer in the past (and a bit of a woodworker), I know the attention-to-detail that is required in a project like this. And as others have mentioned, your tutorial style and video-editing are superb. Thank you for a wonderful video.

[@amoswright6134]

Great instructions. Love that black finish. OCD move: slide heat shrink tubing over the hanging wire between the two pieces of wire hardware, then slide over the wire ends and shrink. No stabby.

[@RedBairnMedia]

Love that blackened walnut process. Beautiful finish.

[@severinedellaporta2760]

The level of detail on the the tips and tricks is invaluable. Many thanks!

[@nunofarizo]

I love your dedication to this. The results show your love for the craft

[@letmetellyousomething123]

As an artist I know how important a good frame is to the Artwork. Great job.

[@mondexbop]

Incredible craftsmanship and finished product.You're an artist yourself.Bravo!

[@matej.m.rejsek8537]

I like the completeness (and calmness) of your presentation. Thank you!

[@binder098]

Above and beyond this being just a really good how to on this subject, the narration, editing and presentation is superb. I am subscribing in appreciation of the care and crafting of your presentation of the video. Stellar.

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Max!

[@TheCulturalCompass]

Me too!

[@penguinista]

Agreed! This is a really top notch instructional video.

[@MAC-ws8fz]

Kiss much ass, Maxie?

[@Evan1060]

Wow. You are so patient and detailed. The frames look great. My fav style for oil paintings. Thanks for sharing

[@dustcrumb]

Dude, fantastic post. Thorough, concise, super clear and really well edited. I was a picture frame fitter years ago and am now inspired to get back at it to frame a few pieces of new art. Cheers!

[@bozomahoney]

What a pleasure to watch. Thanks for not playing loud crazy ass music. A lot of work goes into art framing, for sure! I am a watercolour artist.... i totally get the labour of love you put in your work.

[@robertwoodward9231]

I used to work in a shop, building various types of cabinetry many years ago and you don't think much about the idea of being an artist but after it's all had the final finishes, it's then that you can say you're an artist. Good job.

[@mellymel1100]

Oh, wow! I watched a dozen of these videos about how to make a floating frame, but your attention to detail is beautiful!

[@TheSteveAS]

Floating frames have always been my favorite style. Like you said Michael, they are clean and modern, and beautiful without distracting from the art. I’ve been meaning to make some myself - thanks so much for the in-depth tutorial! I didn’t know about the importance of not over-cutting your splines! I wish I lived closer - I’d love to buy you a beer and talk shop!

[@MichaelAlm]

Glad to hear it was helpful Steve!

[@jcarli8501]

I like your workshop, all tidy and functional. Loved all the hacks to cut, drill and hold, invaluable lessons that will be reproduced anytime soon ! The video is great, super editing and voice over. It's a whole brilliant job. Thank you, Michael.

[@KatLiepinsArt]

Really great tutorial, Michael! It took me back to happy times building frames in my college painting courses.😊 I also really appreciate your super careful approach to all of the details. PERFECTION!

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Kat!

[@bakermanxxx567]

You're incredible, Michael. A true inspiration. Thanks so much for sharing your craft so generously! Ditto for several of your other videos that I have enjoyed and learnt from.

[@dannielfriedrichsen7226]

My wife has become a painter, so I am now the Head Framer around here. Cutting the registration edge for the strainer is a wonderful idea. I modified your technique a bit by gluing the strainer parts to the rough cut frame pieces before making the miter cuts. Seems to work. Thanks for the great videos and great ideas.

[@CondredgeDole]

Amazing! I need to make some of these for a few paintings in my house! Thanks for the super clear instructions & tips. Beautiful end result as always.

[@tarlierussell1769]

This made me appreciate this so much more. Although I couldn’t do this myself. I went out for quotes for framers for some of my canvases and could they my head around the cost. Now I understand why. So much effort in the process. Thanks for sharing.

[@mariuszota]

When the framing outshines the painting, but I get there's emotional value in there. Fantastic work Michael.

[@grahamewebber4038]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder bro I loved the artwork and thought the frames were a perfect compliment.✌🏾

[@jabundis]

They look beautiful!! I'm an artist and now i want frames like this for all of my painting!!

[@CeciliaMM]

Art inside, art outside. Great work. Thank you for sharing.

[@1967solomon]

Thank you. This was the perfect tutorial for a picture frame project I have in mind. Very thorough & easy to understand process. One small suggestion I would like to make is when you added the squares against the inside corners (to ensure you have 90 degrees) you might want to tape the squares with a packing tape. If not, they might stick to the frames due to the squeezed out glue. Thanks again.

[@dianeschmid6296]

Your shop is a dream; so clean and organized! This video had me mesmerized. You have great talent. Thank you!

[@ladykenja2700]

- Quality is what we expect from your videos & it's ALWAYS there, totally. Thanx 4 sharing.

[@BruceAUlrich]

Good breakdown of how you did this. I’m glad you were able to breathe new life into those frames.

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Bruce!

[@squalematic]

Such gorgeous frames, and so cleverly built. I've watched this video twice now, as I plan to follow your instructions and build one for myself. Thank you!

[@MichaelAlm]

So happy to hear that! Have fun building it!

[@natlisan]

Gorgeous frames!!!!!!!The craftsmanship is impeccable!!!!!!!!

[@chrisgriffith1573]

Best video I've seen on framing. By either workworkers, or artists!

[@doriangray7723]

Wow! Gorgeous work. I never knew how much work was involved in making frames. The only reason I even searched box frames is because I just start acrylic painting and was curious about framing gallery canvas. Just wow! Now, I have a new appreciation for your discipline. Moreover, if ever buying buying a frame, I will understand why the cost is what it is. Thanks for sharing.

[@wilsonlin1711]

I am a professional artist. I was in love by seeing this video. The care ! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@somipax]

thank you so much, this is what i needed. The art shop where i live wants to charge me with 102,24 usd for each painting. i just could never afford framing 100 paintings to such prices. I got the tools, access to materials form the trres around my house. With your super easy and clean method i feel happy to come over your video. You are great, much appreciated

[@CypressVintage]

Beautifully done! Clean look without obsessing over small things.

[@robertcochran7103]

Thank you very much for this. It helps me understand what a float frame is and how such a frame is constructed.

[@slewp]

This is a great video. Thank you

[@NedbLegocity]

Great build! Thanks so much, I’ve got half a dozen or so pieces that I need to frame!!

[@d4rk4ngel132]

Amazing video and well timed. My daughter paints and will be needing frames, this style frame is perfect for her artwork.

[@MichaelAlm]

Awesome!

[@leahhorvat4946]

Stunning result! Beautiful work! BRAVO!!!

[@DanielinLaTuna]

I save those Talenti gelato containers too. They’re so nice, and come in handy

[@pamgreenwell1407]

Wow, Micheal this is a great video and you have a pleasant and easy voice to follow. Love that you don't over simplify things and yet give us all the info we need to move ahead. You have way more "toys" than I have at my disposal but I appreciate your sharing your craft. Cheers

[@valsainking]

This was not only highly informative, but also amazingly relaxing to watch. 💯

[@ericyocom7932]

This is perfect timing, Michael. A friend did a large canvas acrylic painting of the Grand Canyon a while back. When I saw a picture of a floating canvas frame, I immediately fell in love with the look. Now I know how to do it...so thank you!! Love your content and your approach for teaching what you know.

[@MichaelAlm]

Hey Eric! That Awesome! Let me know how it goes

[@OOOHBILLY]

Really adds a lot of class to the art. Love it!

[@ewgwf080695]

Woodworking video at its finest. Thank you!

[@geraldjoseph8007]

A fantastic video Michael. The video was thorough, easy to follow, loaded with great tips (especially removing the paintings from the shop) and encouraging to the viewer. You can do it................Thanks.

[@tbev3363]

great stuff, awesome workshop. my dad is a retired carpenter and we had a small workshop in our garage growing up so I can appreciate this set up! Also...I'm a artist who needs to make frames...perhaps i'll refer back to this vid. great stuff.

[@beksinski]

I'm currently adding a frame station to my studio. These videos are super helpful. Thanks!

[@AnnaYV]

I absolutely love these! The quality is perfect! And that blackened walnut though 😲😍!!

[@tekviper9]

Your work is so fantastic. Thank you for sharing your skills!

[@michelleschry1255]

Talenti gelato containers are my favorite workshop tool. Great project!

[@davebauerart]

The frames look great! I learned quite a bit, I haven't seen this type before. The blackened walnut just got even more walnutty! Beautiful.

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Dave! Yeah, people freak out when you say you're going to stain walnut, but sometimes it makes it look even better 😉

[@carolsherman9817]

Very impressive. Very thorough with detail explanations. Love it. Thank you.

[@The42Joker]

One of the best videos I have seen for picture frames! Enough information to understand not only what you are doing, but why. 👍🏼👍🏼 Saving this for later for an upcoming project I have in mind. Thanks!

[@MichaelAlm]

Glad to hear it! Thanks

[@averagejoesworkshop]

Nice work Michael. I really appreciate how your shop looks worked in and functional to your use. I especially noticed when you were using the drill press. I’m looking forward to many more builds.

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Joe!

[@jennieanddavis]

The blackened walnut looks SOOOOO nice! Great work, man.

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks!!

[@piotrtarkowski8595]

Mars Black is slow drying paint. If you add siccative it will be dry in few hours ( you can get it in any store with paint, higher quality in shops for artists, add just a tiny drop to 100ml paint, it’s very potent oil drying agent). You can also mix tiny amount of Burnt Umber paint instead, it will affect the tone a little bit but since it’s quickly drying color it will work good too.

[@ThatsMistaTwistToYou]

Really enjoyed this video - your process is so nicely explained, and the tips you drop in that might not be obvious to all are really great. Thanks!

[@robot_spider]

A friend of ours gave us a 2' x 3' painting they did. It was painted on 1/4" plywood, so we wanted a float frame for it. We innocently went to a local frame shop only to find out a float frame--using BASIC moulding would cost us in the mid-$700s. The painting is nice, but it's not mid-$700-frame-nice. I have basic tools, saws, glues, paints, and some experience with DIY and construction. Seeing this process, step-by-step, gives me a good idea of what to expect, and also confirms my suspicion that it doesn't in-fact involve quantum mechanics or rare-earth elements. Thanks for sharing your experience and skill!

[@parisasun2541]

I appreciate the video. Very clear instructions. I actually love that look in galleries. Thank you.

[@primemover7898]

Thank you for the video. This is the first videos I found that explained how to build picture frames. This vid has some good tips and tricks. excellent narration

[@iamjtbe]

I have been watching all your frame videos. Thanks so much for doing them! I have a big frame project coming up for our house. These have been great!

[@shawnvales3350]

Love your craftsmanship. Great work!

[@dawlin20]

Wow great work Michael. Your genius and charisma never cease to amaze me.

[@MichaelAlm]

Dawlin20 you're too kind 😜

[@lukki7ster]

Thank you!!! I just recently started painting (Lock down activities lol) But i did not know that this type of framing is called "floating frame" Excellent!

[@evarogers8775]

That was awesome Michael. Thank you for sharing some of your knowledge with us. You are very good at what you do. If I were to pick one take-away, it would be that it's all about the little things. I can't wait to try this on my husband's West Point pieces. I've been searching for the perfect way to reframe them and this might be it.

[@runway12]

omg ! ! ! what an insane amount of work to build a frame ! ! ! i had no idea that this process was so complicated ! ! ! a super professional result but this video really wants me to make a video to show make a floating frame in a much more easy way ! ! !

[@OmaStudioArt]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIG4f5mVgsqkpcU&ab_channel=LeftBrainedArtist

[@tehaunuiart]

That was amazing. Perfect direction and simple clear instructions. Thank you so much. I’m gonna make these for my paintings.

[@eileenoconnorfineart]

Wow! What a pro. Such a clear and detailed explanation. Thank you.

[@lesliemctavish4300]

Your video is about the 5th on floating frames that I watched. You have helped me alot. I do need to build a floating frame, but I have only a miter saw. After watching 5 videos, I think I can do it without a shop, but I will have to be selective with tools because I'm tight on cash. It costs a lot to have someone build it, but from your video, I can see that it would be worth it.

[@gregkieser1157]

Some great tips Michael - thank you. My wife is a painter and as a consequence I am now the family “framer”......cheers...Greg

[@MichaelAlm]

Sure thing!! Glad it’s helpful 👍

[@ecarrillo71]

I love the way these came out. Nice work!

[@doubletimejosh]

Great tutorial! I like to see someone else using the Talenti container. I have a shelf system between the studs in my workshop with around 50 or so Talenti containers. I have all my hardware organized in them.

[@williamellis8993]

Nice frames. This style is something I wasn't familiar with. Now I know. Thanks for the lesson.

[@joninfect8681]

Best video I've found for diy floating frames, well done and thank you!

[@QuirkyShiny]

Your work is so flawless

[@ManCrafting]

Interesting process. I’ve never seen a floating frame made. I love the look. I was expecting that you would use the contrasting wood colors on the spines to make them accents. It was great hanging out last week. See you soon.

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Chad. Yeah contrasting splines can be nice for sure. Nice seeing you too!

[@judysali]

OHHhhh... Great How to Video! I'm an artist and I build my own frames. Galkin and Oil paint....AWESOME!

[@maryk4053]

Wow! Love your technique. Beautiful job.

[@robertphillips3992]

I have used your method on the last three frames, the instructions are easy, straight forward and produce excellent results. Thank you for taking the time to produce this video.

[@monicamccoy179]

How long did it take you?

[@robertphillips3992]

@@monicamccoy179 , if you take out glue drying time and dry time for top coat, maybe 2-3 hours.

[@abstractresintoronto8172]

Wow you are wonderful to watch and listen to! So ideal - I'm really impressed! Thank You so much!

[@andreaandrea6716]

Wow. Beautiful, beautiful job! Well done. You really honoured the paintings. (And those are stunning paintings! It was a joy to see them receive such gorgeous frames).

[@RitaSaghen]

This is way better than what I wanted to do. Thanks for showing those beautiful frames and for the guide to make them. Great job as always

[@jshauer8272]

Wow, I want all my art hung like this! Now all I need is ummm wood, tools, machines, and glue! You are amazing, thank you for sharing!! I will keep to the art creation and find someone much more capable for the framing😀

[@tony1961chl]

Me gustó mucho ésta forma de trabajar ,es muy profesional , consciente y cuidadoso , gracias.

[@rupaliembry]

Beautiful workmanship!

[@Sylentpoet]

You are a master of your craft. Great video and explanation of what you do. The frames are beautiful.