How to Make Professional Quality Picture Frames

Update! The spline jig has a video AND plans • How to Build a Spline ... plans for it on my website almfab.com/plans
In this video I'm covering the basics of making picture frames. One of the most confusing parts of framing is how to plan your frame. What kind of mount, what spacing you want around the art, and what allowance you need to make the art fit in the frame properly. I've simplified these measurements and created an easy to follow worksheet that you can get for free on my website.
AlmFab Picture Frame Worksheet almfab.com/plans
Also, make sure and check out my video and plans for making a picture frame sled. It'll make the process a whole lot easier.
Picture frame sled video • Precision Picture Fram...
Picture frame sled plans almfab.com/plans
Artists featured in this video
Joey Bates - Ink Portrait / joey____bates
Zoe Keller - Kestrel / zoekellerart
Ashley Bullock - Color Study instagram.com/
Shaun Kardinal - Stitched Postcard / shaunkardinal
Chandler Woodfin - Colorful Abstract / chandlerwoodfin
Jessica McCourt - Croc with a Guitar / vonsplithoof
Rockler products featured in this video
Rockler Precision Brass Setup Bars www.rockler.com/rockler-delux...
Rockler Thin Rip Tablesaw Jig www.rockler.com/thin-rip-tabl...
Rockler Contour Sanding Grips www.rockler.com/rockler-conto...
Rockler Pro Lift Router Table and Lift www.rockler.com/rockler-pheno...
Affiliate Links to products featured in this video
ISOtunes Pro 2.0 bit.ly/almfabiso
Shinwa 12” Ruler amzn.to/3baGivS
Milwaukee M12 Drill and Driver Set amzn.to/3hBv065
Magid Safety Glasses amzn.to/2wYO6AR
Saw Stop amzn.to/2Pxz2jU
Pullsaw amzn.to/2I69ztC
3/16” Radius Round Nose Router Bit amzn.to/34gIO0x
Freud Glue-Line Rip Tablesaw Blade amzn.to/33mBAIQ
Picture Framing Products:
Linen Hinge Tape amzn.to/2GgDFNL
Plastic Frame Spacers www.unitedmfrs.com/spacers_fo...
Logan Point Driver amzn.to/34gGZ3q
Brilliantize Plexiglas Cleaner amzn.to/3kTlFrA
Wood finishes
Arm-R-Seal amzn.to/2Thq23i
India ink amzn.to/30lnS7g
General Finishes Water Based Top Coat amzn.to/34bIjVj
Check out my Amazon store where you can find all the tools I use in my shop, and support my channel
www.amazon.com/shop/michaelalm
You can also support the channel by joining the Patreon!
/ almfab
Patreon members get exclusive Sketchup files of my projects along with a bunch of other rewards.
Alm Fab T-Shirt: teespring.com/alm-fab-logo-t
almfab.com
Instagram @almfab bit.ly/alminsta
Pinterest /almfab / almfab
Facebook /almfab / almfab
Music: www.epidemicsound.com/

[@MichaelAlm]

Update!! The Spline Jig now has it's own video and plans kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIDNfayQpbpoqMU

[@macyguerrero653]

What can i add to my home made wood frames for a backing? Im using the frames for family photos

[@VintagePosterArts]

Obsessed with these retro travel poster designs - take me away to paradise! ✈🌴 @vintageposterart #wanderlust

[@TheClaptonisgod1]

How to make stuff at home, when your home has more tools and machinery than your local hardware store.

[@philshock3805]

As a professional photographer for 30+ years, I've dealt with my share of framing artwork including cutting my own mats. I'm also a serious hobbyist woodworker and I have to say this is by far the best video I've seen on creating custom wood frames. You've earned my subscription - I'll definitely have to check out your framing jig.

[@MichaelAlm]

Thank you!!

[@thewittsf]

I used to work in frame shops in the 90's. Loved it so much, years later I bought some basic equipment to started framing in my garage.

[@woin9361]

It’s so satisfying to watch your process and see how much the right frame elevates and enhances art pieces

[@welingkartr416]

Agree! Meditative work. You are lucky. Good wishes!

[@dooovde]

By far and away the best video I've seen on this subject on KZbin. Thank you!

[@lewishong]

I see lots of videos with absolutely beautiful furniture but they usually just have some music in the background and aren't very informative. The informative videos I find usually don't have the same quality in their woodworking. Your videos are the best of both worlds :) Thanks for making these in depth videos about your projects.

[@walterlee7037]

yo FACTSS

[@molnarkelly]

I love these frames! Also it’s really cool to see all the different jigs and tools you have. Thanks so much for the great tutorial 🙏🏼

[@bobdown8043]

Just subbed. This is the best framing "how to" vid I have seen. Great work.

[@dancolegate3905]

You make it possible for a beginner like me to do this with some confidence. You're a natural when it comes to teaching. Your voice is extremely clear and relaxing to listen to which makes learning easier.

[@derekpercy7787]

I'm also a Framer by trade - Been doing it for a very long time and really enjoyed your video. I've always worked commercially and never made a frame from scratch the way you did. Who says you can't teach an old dog new trick - Thanks for sharing! Brilliant

[@alwatts9713]

Very nice, Michael. I never knew the details of what makes a quality frame build. None of this is difficult, but your attention to these details really makes for a great looking finished product. I'm looking forward to applying to some of my work! Thanks.

[@jimwlouavl]

Wow, those are gorgeous. The frames themselves are works of art.

[@gregmislick1117]

Awesome !! Mom is a photographer - been dealing with frames my whole life. This is the simplest presentation, and perhaps most complete I've seen in a long time Comments: 1) For " Supper Fancy" some double stick tape along the back edge of the frame and some craft paper to cover the pints and such. 2) Frame hanger wire - PREDRILL the holes for those little eye-bolts - we are talking small holes in thin wood 3) Archival - consider wearing white cotton gloves, or I suppose those blue/black/clear gloves we all have in the shop - the acids / oils on your skin will also leave residue which will yellow things over time. So if it's someone else's work you are framing up, or something special, use the gloves when handling - you're the last person to touch it before it goes in the frame, no reason to leave your fingerprints on it. ( I was always working with photographs and both the emulsions with the image on the fronts, and the paper they were on, would just suck up those oils and later the marks show - really sucks if the work is hanging in a gallery or someone has bought it for $$$...)

[@williamzanghettijr5862]

What an excellent video you have made on making picture frames!!! My mother is an artist and she has given us many pieces of her beautiful artwork that I have been procrastinating on making some custom frames for. This video has been of great help for me...thank you,William

[@ScottWalshWoodworking]

Hi Michael! Great video! I just wanted to add my 2 cents as I've worked in a frame shop for a few years. Conservation should be kept in mind if your clients piece is valuable or sentimental, or even neither. The goal of conservation is to make sure the piece remains intact and unaltered while being displayed. This includes using UV protected glazing, acid-free mats and foam-core, but more importantly, how the piece is mounted. One reason why using a mat is preferred is because of how you can use photo corners to mount the piece, without applying any adhesive, and hiding the photo corners underneath the mat opening. Mats also space the glass away from the glazing and prevent potential damage if the ink adheres to it (I've only seen this once on an old re-frame with acrylic glazing and oil paint). Be sure to allow for 1/4" on all sides for the photo corners to be hidden (I've gone as little as an eighth, but it's more fiddly). Lineco makes conservation photo corners in small and larger sizes. I know hinging tape can be removed, but after re-framing hundreds of pieces, having no tape to deal with is much preferred. There is no way to avoid using tape on the piece if you're doing a float mount or no mat frame. I've been meaning to make a series on my channel for some of the best-practices I've learned, but I wont get around to that for a while yet.

[@michaelplitt2135]

Thanks for the info :)

[@nomadprints]

Exactly the video I've been needing. Excellent work. Thank you!

[@flix4u]

Every step was exactly like I envision myself in another few weeks - thanks for such a GR8 step-by-step video; I’ll watch the other related ones too.

[@foos.998]

Yes, a video on a spline jig would be great!

[@curtislondon4642]

Absolutely 💯 % the best frame video I've seen to date.

[@ChibiOkamiko]

I’m a framer by trade, I enjoyed watching you work. Made me miss my shop (it’s been closed since March 😢).

[@adolfodelgado9361]

Open your shop again in your garage small one, i did signs for 20 years and i been thinking to open one in my garage just small one's no hanging

[@grom7826]

How utterly sad ! Open the nation up !

[@MichaelAlm]

Sorry to hear about your shop 😢hope you can get back to it soon.

[@jamesgrellier4750]

This is an excellent video, Michael. Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge and producing such clear and useful videos of your work.

[@JTWoodworks]

I didn't know about spacers and their functions. So much great info packed in this video. Thanks Michael!

[@ToniMedwedew]

Great video Michael. Thank you!!

[@dhank2242]

Best framing/matting "How To" on KZbin. Thanks!

[@lauratrouard7793]

WOW! This is one of the best “how to” videos I’ve watched in a while. I actually feel ready to start making my own frames now

[@automaticprojects]

Wow. Great video with some terrific techniques.

[@pteddie6965]

Beautiful frames and matting plus interesting artwork. Thanks for all of the valuable information and a special thanks for the free form to use when planning out the framing process.

[@0956y]

Very inspiring, thank you for making such informative video!

[@nopelosi2012]

Wow! Learned more about frames in the past 23 minutes than in the previous 65 years! Thanks a bizillion!!!

[@boonecowoodwerks2682]

You do such a great job of presenting a process in a way that makes one feel as though success is very attainable, thank you!

[@zekesherrod6258]

This has been super helpful, I have been a fan of your channel for a while but a friend recently asked if I could make a frame for some art she made for her in-laws and this showed up on my feed. Perfect!!!

[@MakerTom2022]

Hobbyist woodworker here, who learned a LOT from your video. Many thanks!!

[@andreacapper8431]

Well thought out instructional video - you obviously love what you do, and you're outstanding at demonstrating the basic concepts. Thank you for sharing this, and I would also love to see a "how to" video on the spline jig.

[@joshmcgowan4]

Excellent Video exactly what I was looking for

[@stratlix1]

Great video. Very well presented and much appreciated. Thank you!

[@DannerPlace]

So informative, thanks for posting this.

[@craigfeldpausch1429]

My wife and I are just starting to make frames and your video really showed us how to do it.

[@ThiagoCampi]

Amazing work!

[@danfromnorth52]

Thank you for the measurement sheet and you videos

[@user-wc8bw7my2t]

Awesome video!! Loved it!! Thanks!!

[@johngriswold]

Very well done. Gorgeous work! Thank you.

[@bruce-le-smith]

fantastic, thanks. a big help to envision the end to end process

[@WindowTintWarriors]

Such a useful guide. Thank you!

[@sidhammer9461]

Great video! Now I have even more reason to set up a table saw in my garage-you made this look like a fun and satisfying process. The only thing I would add for the final step is to put a dust jacket over the back of the frame (medium weight archival paper glued to the back of the frame with archival rice starch glue). That’s how I learned framed work should be finished anyways, since it seals the frame off from dust getting between the glass and the work. I also learned a different technique for float mounting involving a 45° slit in the backing board with linen tape coming through it. I was told this is the best way to keep the work as flat as possible, but your way looks a little quicker/easier. Lastly, for matting I was always taught to attach works to the backer board rather than the window, and do so with archival paper strip corners so that the work itself never comes in contact with any adhesive (hard to explain the corners with words). I’m not sure there is a right or wrong way, but removing tape (even archival linen tape) can damage the work, so since there’s an easy way to avoid adhesive coming in contact with the piece, This method always made sense to me.

[@genevieveanglin9672]

Love the free work sheet. Thank you so much!!

[@schwarzkelloggs]

Super beautiful!!

[@roblehmann2378]

Very nice job, thanks for sharing your work.

[@jessicasevilla2529]

Your system is absolutely amazing Bravo. 💯

[@chrisferguson237]

Great content Michael. Appreciate your knowledge and clarity of information.

[@greyseal18]

great tips, thank you. I like that it's covers a lot of information in a tight informative video

[@trishamiller4633]

I’m a professional framer and truly recommend this video. So informative. Thank you

[@gergemall]

Thank you, always great content.

[@matthewcampbell9691]

Such a great video - informative, enjoyable, and just really cool! Much respect for your work!

[@lindsayhengehold5341]

Thanks for making this!

[@alamaamosa3801]

Invaluable information,love the work sheet makes rational and comprehensive sense.

[@traolachmellett8938]

I subscribed straight away! Thank you for the framing videos, they're so informative! Please make more!

[@cubitme]

Fantastic stuff. Well covered.

[@dbassett74]

Love this channel!

[@BradMorton]

Great video, great content! Thank you!

[@ddutton0]

Such a great video, reminds me of my art school days!

[@violetdeluxe]

Nice job getting ready to make some frames and this video was prefect - much appreciated!

[@bumpy_moleskine]

Superb video & explanation. Thorough yet concise. Thank you.

[@OregonChuck]

Terrific video and just what I needed! Thank you. Subscribed.

[@okainaimage]

Beautiful frames! I love them. Thank you for sharing your video!

[@TH-xf7wj]

Great work!

[@jayclinton1811]

Great video. Thanks for sharing the rain storm.

[@user-kl6sr4uz4r]

Lot of work.. Nice result congrats

[@bethedney6746]

you make it look so easy!

[@maryramerman9275]

This was so informative and really helpful to see the whole process! Thank you!

[@douglasmichel6361]

This is awesome, I do custom framing (mostly for myself) as a photographer and a custom cabinet/trim contractor, perfect together I figure. I just happened across your YT channel and love it. Now of coarse I have to back peddle to your beginning. Thanks a lot, like I don’t have enough to do, kiddingly I can’t wait to dive in. See ya around the block so to speak. And get ready to be pummeled with questions.

[@djAnakin]

Nice work. Lots of great tips.

[@robertsmith3518]

Great vid ! Thanks for all the tips . Very enjoyable and relaxing show. Your a natural in front of the lens . Thanks again!

[@romeogirl7137]

Love the wagon!

[@temomoreno2018]

Thank you for this great video. I learned a lot.

[@treezza2817]

Thanks for showing how you make those outstanding frames!

[@pastryqn]

fantastic video. Ive been producing a lot of pastel art lately and it all needs framing. Now all I want is your workshop to make frames. great video.

[@marinechapssemperfiout9939]

Your method and style are outstanding! Semper Fi

[@UXinMotionNet]

Such a great video. Much appreciated.

[@benjirides218]

Thank you for making this video it was very helpful!

[@andre1k28]

Beautiful Video! Thanks for sharing!

[@GeeksWoodShop]

Booyah! So much great info from the frame master. Great stuffs Michael

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Tyson!

[@chrystallkurts3914]

Thanks so much for this. I have wanted to learn about smaller projects in woodworking for a long time.

[@megw6749]

This is so helpful!!!

[@rodrigoundaa]

Amazing work. you make it looks so easy. great work mister.

[@lizcoates7039]

I wish I'd watched this before I framed some pictures I had!! I will continue to watch and learn. thanks for great tuition.

[@nightskysparks]

Wow Michael! You are an amazing artist.

[@leonardnoel888]

Valuable instructions. I like it. Thanks

[@johnparker2636]

Very clearly explained - thanks frames look great

[@kuravani1963]

Good explanation. Technic used are prefect. Keep it up. Thanks

[@J4Julz]

Great video, very thoroough. I appreciate all your hard work and willingness to share!

[@indujain1424]

Thank you so much Michael for this video and it is very much helpful and the knowledge you gave about different frame is great 👍❣️

[@woogaloo]

This was super informative! Very in-depth. Would love to see a video about the spline jig!

[@aligned4good]

THANK YOU! This was very informative.

[@diablopoeta]

This is awesome, I was searching for this exact information, thank you for sharing the knowledge. Keep going.

[@alfredomartinez3695]

a very informative frame making video....one of the best

[@princessrashidart]

Great video . Thanks!

[@iamchrisroberts]

Excellent video and great information. Thank you very much!

[@1qazandrew333]

I've made many frames and still learned something. Thanks!

[@mellamoakshay]

Thats fine work man!

[@bobbogee]

I love this video! I've never made frames, but will be doing a lot in the future. Thanks for this great overview, subscribed!