How to give small art a bigger presence

Several months ago I bought a number of ACEOs (or ATCs – artist trading cards) on Etsy. This is a great way to get affordable art. Often you can find originals, and due to the small size, they also have a smaller price tag. (ATC’s are only 2.5″ x 3.5″). However, due to the small size, they are harder to display.

I bought this little print several months ago on Etsy from TimSally.

I absolutely adore this print, but it’s really too small to display on a large wall. I decided to solve that problem. And here’s how I did it…

First I bought a frame large enough to display on my wall.

This one is 16″ x 20″.

Then I measured my print so I could get a new mat cut for the frame. Make sure to subtract about 1/2 an inch from the horizontal and vertical measurement so that the mat opening will cover the entire print. You’ll also want to make note of the inside measurements of the frame.

I got this mat cut at Ben Franklin’s. At the custom framing counter they have a huge variety of mat colors and typically they cut it while you wait.

Once you have the new mat, simply tape the print to the back of the mat, centering the image. Then remove the mat which came with the frame, and insert the new one. Presto! Larger art!

I love the way this little print is centered in the frame with a large expanse of white matting. And now it no longer gets lost on the wall. I hung this in our bathroom, and really love the way it looks.

(If you were feeling creative, you could also have the opening cut so it wasn’t centered, creating some additional visual interest.)