It can take weeks, sometimes months to complete a diamond painting. Once done, they’re beautiful and sparkly and such a shame to store away. You’ll likely want to get it on display.
There are several ways you can frame a diamond painting, some of which are easier than others, yet there is plenty to think about before deciding on any type of frame or other display options.
Your Options for Framing a Diamond Painting
Stretched Canvas
Stretched canvas is among the easier options. Simply, glue the diamond painting to a pre-stretched canvas. Display as-is, or for added finesse, put it in a canvas floating frame.
If you do use this option, keep in mind that canvas floating frames are unglazed. As such, it’s beneficial to seal the painting to lock out dust from getting between the diamonds/drills, and from distorting the gorgeous shine of the drills.
Brush-on sealers and roll-on sealers are available from most craft stores. Prior to sealing, take a rolling pin over the diamonds to make sure they are flat. An alternative to a rolling pin is to place a heavy object over the entire piece to ensure all the beads are firmly set before sealing it.
Is it better to seal it or not?
This is entirely a personal choice. There are pros and cons to both.
The downside is that once you apply the sealer, the diamonds are likely to lose some of their shine. On the upside, once the painting is inside the frame, the diamonds will stay put. Without the sealer being applied, there is the possibility, or likelihood, that over time, some of the diamonds will fall. Especially if the frame is hanging near flat on a wall.
Foam board
Foam board is spectacular as you can easily cut it to size and have whatever size of border you like, or none. The advantage of having the border is that you can further beautify the display by painting a border in the colour of your choosing. Preferably one that compliments the painting.
To go further and continue the sparkles, glitter can be applied around the borders too, sealed to keep it in place, and then the masterpiece attached.
When attaching a diamond painting to foam board, you will want to use a strong glue and plenty of it, because diamond paintings are much heavier than traditional prints. Without firmly glueing it in place, it is likely to slide around inside the frame.
Should Diamond Paintings be Framed Glazed or Unglazed?
Another choice that needs to be made is whether you need to protect the diamond painting from fading. While the drills themselves are plastic and not as prone to fading as traditional art, if placed in direct sunlight, they may fade. For that reason, consider where you will hang your painting.
Something else to consider is whether you are framing a full or partial diamond painting and if much of the canvas used circular drills or square drills. Square drills cover the entirety of the canvas, whereas round drills cannot do that. There will be some gaps, in which case, not only would it be preferential to apply a sealer to lock out dust, but also to protect any exposed canvas from strong UV sources, such as direct sunlight.
If you do attach a diamond painting to foam board, check the thickness of your finished art as some of the thinner profile frames such as poster frames may be too thin to include the glazing. The finished piece may call for a thicker frame profile with sufficient depth to fit the canvas, drills, glazing, and backing board.