How to DIY Frame an Original Soft Pastel Painting

DIY framing original soft pastels is TOTALLY do-able, but it takes a few extra considerations to ensure your new art looks its best. This task is also easily done at any local framing shop if you would rather support a local business in your area.

  • The Overview

    When framing an original* soft pastel painting, the main considerations are:

    1. “floating” the picture (search “float mount” for details) and keeping the glass from touching the art,

    2. providing a small, hidden gap between the art and the mat so that the small amount of chalky dust that sheds over the years can discretely hide behind the mat, and

    3. using glass or good quality plexiglass (as the cheaper stuff is often less clear and has too much glare), and

    4. considering “picture frame offset clips” if there’s not enough depth in your chosen frame to handle the glass, matt, spacers, art, and backing. They’re about $2 at Michael’s in the frames section.

    *You do not need to use these same considerations if you’re framing a print of a soft pastel painting.

  • The Side View

    Here’s a cutout view of the frame setup from the side. There’s a gap between the (slightly dusty) art and the glass. There’s also a small gap between the art and the mat so the dust particles can hide when they fall. (Don’t worry…the paintings don’t loose a ton of dust. The gap is just there so the mat doesn’t collect the colorful particles over the years!)

    How do you get that gap, you may ask? The most straightforward way is to use “spacers” from a frame shop. Four are cut to fit inside each of the four sides of your frame. They hold the mat (and glass) away from the art. The DIY version is to cut thin strips of archival-grade foam board to mimic the “official” version of spacers.

    Once you float the art on the backing and add spacers, put it all together. If the back doesn’t fit in the frame now with all you’ve added, add some of those picture frame offset clips. They help give a bit more room to the frame contents. Before you go to buy them, measure how much the back sticks out, as they come in different sizes.

  • The Re-view

    I hope all of the details haven’t overwhelmed you! The hardest part of framing these yourself is finding/making spacers, and making sure the back still fits on after you add them. (Add the mentioned offset clips if it doesn’t).

    I also hope you LOVE your original soft pastel painting. They’re full of gorgeous, rich colors that jump off the page, and they make a beautiful addition to any space.

    Finally, remember: if this is overwhelming, any local framing shop can do this for you in a jiffy.

    Enjoy your new art!

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