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There are various types of Shadow Boxes. Here we will take
you step by step through the process of making a Floating
Art Shadow Box. Using foam core and mat board, you will
create an illusion of "floating" artwork within
your mat board window. This framing trend is very popular
right now with black and white photographs, but also looks
great with needlework, flowers, calligraphy and color photographs.
The example you see here shows an Infinity- 73904 Black
wood frame, Papermat Mat Board, 5754 Porcelain on Black,
Standard Mounting Board, and Plexi-glass, all custom cut
to 15"x15". For your project, simply apply the
following steps using your own dimensions and product selections.
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Materials:
- 15"x15" Infinity- 73904 Black wood frame
- 15"x15" Papermat Mat Board, 5754 Porcelain on
Black (with window)
- 15"x15" Papermat Mat Board, 5754 Porcelain on
Black (without window)
- 15"x15" Mounting Board (foam core) 4 pieces
- 15"x15" Plexi-glass
You will also need:
- adhesive transfer tape
- regular screwdriver
- snap blade knife
- Kraft paper
Need to stock up on any of these items? Click on the following:
Adhesive
Transfer Tape
Snap
Blade Knife
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| Let's
Get Started! |
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STEP 1
Determine measurements of the
"floating" space.
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Consider the item being framed. Measure the item and add the
desired length and width for a border, along with the amount
of space you would like between your artwork and mat board.
This is called the "floating" space. In this example,
the Polar Bear photograph is 5"x7", however we made
the mat board window 7"x8-1/2" to provide us with
1" floating area on the top and bottom, and ¾"
floating space on each side. The top and bottom borders are
each 4", and the side borders are each 3-1/4". Once
the overall size is determined, all materials (frame, mat
boards, mounting boards and plexi-glass) will be ordered in
that size. |
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STEP 2
Divide and cut foam core.
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Cut six 3" wide strips from
the first two pieces of foam core. Each strip will be 3"x15".
Using the remaining portion of the second piece, cut six
3"x7" strips. With the third piece of foam core
cut two 4"x6" pieces.
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STEP
3
Adhere foam core strips together.
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| Using the adhesive transfer tape, attach the
strips together three at a time. Once completed you will have
two 3"x15" riser sections that are approximately
1/2" thick, and two 3"x7" riser sections that
are also approximately 1/2" thick. Attach two 4"x6"
pieces together. These sections will create the shadow space
between the top and bottom mat board. |
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STEP 4
Adhere the photograph to the mat board "plug."
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| Using transfer tape, carefully adhere the
photograph to the 7"x8-1/2" mat board "plug"
which came from the window of the cut mat. Trim this to the
edge of the photograph (5"x7") using a sharp cutting
blade and straightedge.
To adhere the item you can also use glue or pins, depending
on the item being framed.
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STEP 5
Adhere riser sections.
Take the two 3"x15" riser sections
of foam core and adhere them to top of your bottom mat board
(the mat board without the window). Attach them to the edge
of the mat board using adhesive transfer tape. Do the same
for the two 3"x7" riser sections.
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STEP
6
Center the artwork.
Then adhere the 4"x6" section to the back of
the mat board with the artwork attached to it (Step 4).
Adhere this to the top of your bottom mat. Be sure to carefully
center it within the window of the top mat board.
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STEP 7
Remove the protective paper from your plexi-glass.
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The difficult part of building your Mat Shadow Box is completed.
All that's left to do is frame things up. Set the frame
face down on a clean work surface. Carefully peel the protective
paper off of one side of the plexi-glass and lay that side
down into the frame. Remove the remaining piece of protective
paper.
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STEP
8
Secure the artwork.
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Place your Floating Art Shadow Box face down on the plexi-glass.
You will notice that the artwork does not touch the plexi-glass.
Place the last piece of foam core mounting board into the
frame, creating a secure base for your mounted object. Using
your screwdriver, install spring clips to the frame to hold
everything in place. (For this example we used a Point Driver
to secure everything in place, due to its ease of use.)
Need
a Point Driver?
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STEP
9
Apply the dust cover.
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Apply a dust cover by putting adhesive transfer tape on
the back of the frame and placing Kraft paper onto it. Using
the Dust Cover Trimmer, carefully trim off the excess paper.
To tighten the paper backing, use a spray bottle to mist
water on the dust cover and let dry for a few minutes.
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STEP
10
Finishing touches!
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Secure the hanging hardware and you are ready to present
your latest creation.
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Now a few tips to help you with your
"Floating Art Shadow Box" project.
- When selecting a frame, make sure the rabbet depth is deep
enough to accommodate you artwork. For a deeper rabbet area,
choose frames that are at least 1" deep. Click
here for frames .75" and deeper.
- You will notice that the riser sections of foam core are at
least 1/2" from the edge of the mat board window opening.
This insures that they will not be visible in your finished
piece. A good rule of thumb is that this space should be at
least the same as the thickness of your riser sections. This
also applies to the pieces of foam core raising your artwork.
- Depending on the item being framed, you may want to substitute
UV Plexi-glass, Alphamat Mat Board and Archival Mounting Board
for conservation purposes.
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