Looking for a way to make your favorite paintings and photo prints on canvas really POP? Floating frames (or floater frames) are an attractive way to showcase your stretched canvas pieces that mimics the look of the finest art in gallery displays. Imagine how it’ll look on that wall space you’re looking to spruce up!

Despite their rather expensive-looking appearance, floating frames are an affordable and easy to assemble way to display your canvas paintings and photo prints. They’re unique in that they give the impression that the canvas is “floating” above the frame without actually touching it. It gives the finished piece an intriguing three-dimensional element that catches attention and draws the eye inward to the painting or photo.

Their clean, sharp profile provides the perfect backdrop for any type of painting, but especially those with bold, vivid colors.

In several of his paintings, artist Robert Game uses Adobe Photoshop to reproduce historic symbols to illustrate or emphasize his ideas. Photo credit: Robert Game

Floating frame bars can be cut to any length you need, within 1/32”. The only tool you’ll need to put your floating frame together is a hammer–wood glue and dovetail keys are supplied.

The floating effect is accomplished using eye-screws to secure your canvas to the frame.

Your floating frame comes with screws, eye screws and dovetail keys.

Ideally, you want to maintain a ¼” gap between the canvas and frame all the way around. We recommend using small pieces of paper folded to ¼” as shims around the perimeter while you install the bracket screws.

Here, you’ll find a step-by-step guide to putting your floating frames together, complete with photos.

The eye-screw fastening method keeps your artwork secure within the floating frame.

They’re shipped disassembled to protect the bars from damage during shipping. Your finish options include black, dark brown, white, gold top, pewter top, silver top, natural, and unfinished.

Our floating frames come in three distinct profiles: 1 ½”, 2” and 2 ¼”. Each one ordered includes your frame bars, dovetail keys for the corners, glue, eye screws, and the screws you’ll need to mount the canvas to the frame.

So which one is right for your canvas? Here are a few general guidelines:

• A 1 ½” floating frame is a good choice when you’ve used our Basic or Standard stretcher bars.
• A 2” floating frame works best with our Professional or Gallery stretcher bars.
• Choose the 2 ¼” floating frame to go with Heavy Duty Basic or Heavy Duty Standard stretcher bars.

Floating frames are a great way to showcase your photo prints and paintings on canvas.

Pro tip: Key out your stretched canvas before measuring for your floating frame! Making sure it’s properly tightened ensures your frame will be a great fit. You should also measure the mounted canvas in several places; canvas corner folds typically make this the widest part of your stretched canvas.

Want help getting your project started? Browse our selection of floating frames online or contact an Upper Canada Stretchers representative to talk about your project specifications and needs.

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