Mount a Vintage Poster on a Wood Frame

Easy and Inexpensive Art for the Home

I am going to paint my bedroom very soon. I’m ready for something different… I’ve already created Bi-Fold Doors for the Windows and I’m ready for new artwork, as well.

I am really in love with old photographs from the late 1800s and early 1900s. I decided I wanted to create artwork from a couple of these old photographs I have. I kept the frames from my old cabinet doors and used these as the base. I had the photos printed in a poster size, painted the edge of the frames, mounted the posters, and voila!! New artwork for my room!

Here is what I used:

• A DIY wood frame 
• A poster or photo blown up to poster size
• Paint for the edges of the frame
• Mod Podge (<–affiliate link!)
• A sponge roller and frame
• Craft knife or razor blade

The frames I used were frames I built as doors for the kitchen before the remodel. I never got around to installing them and nailed a piece of 1/4″ plywood on the back side of the frame to cover the pocket holes. (If you are following the plans above to build a frame, skip the step to rout a rabbet for the glass, and nail a piece of 1/4″ plywood on the back side of the frame.)

I painted the edge of the frame and plywood. I started with grey but wasn’t feeling it so I repainted the edges with silver metallic paint.

Once the edges were dry, I poured Mod Podge on the face of the plywood, then coated the entire surface with the sponge roller. Pay special attention to the edges of the surface! A roller works well for this application because I could spread a lot of it on the surface very quickly since Mod Podge dries so fast!

I positioned the poster on the plywood surface, then smoothed out the air bubbles. An old credit card or gift card help smooth out the bubbles!

Once it was dry, I cut the excess poster away with a razor knife. I put a soda can tab hanger on the back and now my art piece is ready for hanging!

See? Easy, right? I decided to mount another poster on a wood frame for a second piece of artwork. I love these photos! Have questions or a request? Contact me at cher {at} designsbystudioc {dot} com!

Originally posted 2013-12-10 08:00:57.