Jackson’s Self Assembly Bespoke Framing

If you can use a small hammer and a screwdriver you can quickly put together our Jackson’s Easy-Assemble Framing and insert your artwork. It is a cost effective solution for many artists.

Using our Bespoke Frame Builder Tool

First you choose the type of moulding based on whether you are framing canvas (standard or deep), panel or paper.

Then you choose the style of moulding you want.

Then input the size of your artwork.

You can opt for a ‘stretched’ option which is where we will add 4 mm extra onto the internal of the frame. This is to compensate for the corner folds of a canvas.

If you require a gap between your artwork and the inside edge of the frame, please add the required distance onto your artwork twice. For example, for a 20 x 40 cm artwork with a required gap of 0.5 cm, you would need to order a 21 x 41 cm frame.

A price will come up and you can add the item to your basket. There is a handy feature to get a preview of the frame on your particular artwork. You can upload an image of your artwork and each frame choice can be previewed with the artwork.

Assembling Your Frame

When your order arrives it will contain the four bars for your frame and an envelope containing the dovetail joiners you will need to assemble it. Whilst clamping the corner joint tightly in one hand use a small tack hammer to simply tap the dovetails into the corresponding slots. Make sure you are using the correct length dovetail for the depth of the hole. You may wish to add a thin film of wood glue to the inside faces of the joints before you hammer in the dovetails. And your frame is assembled. At this point you can insert your artwork.

Most frames are ready-finished but some are unfinished for you to add your own wood finish – colour, gilding, varnish, wax or spray paint. In some cases you will need to do this to the bars before you assemble them. In some cases you would colour them after you have assembled them.

Inserting Your Artwork

There are different options for fixing your artwork into your frame.

Counter sunk holes can be drilled into the bottom of your canvas frame. The canvas can then be screwed into the frame from underneath. Make sure the screws aren’t too long.

Flexi Plates are a versatile choice and work for most stretched canvas situations.

Heavy duty tape works well for affixing panels to either front-loading or back-loading frames.

The Dual Point Driver or Glazier points work well for inserting points into the frame back to fix works on paper that have glass or styrene at the front and a backing board at the back.

Jackson’s self assembly framing system has been developed to replace expensive custom made frames. The finished or coloured frames are ready to use and the natural wooden frames can be stained, hand painted, spray painted, waxed or varnished. Simply enter the outer dimensions of your artwork (or, if your work is mounted, the outer dimensions of your mount) and then choose the moulding that you require. Assembling the frames is easy – simply align the frames face down and insert the plastic dovetail joins provided into the corners. We also sell acrylic glass and backing board as well as hanging accessories to fulfil all your framing needs.

Please note that all frames are made to order in our workshop and the estimated standard UK delivery time is usually 8 days. If you choose next day delivery at check out your frame will be expedited and the delivery time will be shortened by a couple of days.

To avoid unnecessary delays with any art supplies you wish to purchase we advise that these are ordered separately.

Shop framing on jacksonsart.com.